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King County Washington home

E-Waste

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that about 6.7 million tons of electronic waste is generated annually.  but only a fraction of that is recycled. The rest went to landfills or incinerators. Recycling helps conserve resources and keeps toxic materials out of the environment. Glass, plastic, metals, and even heavy metals can be recycled and reused safely.

King County agencies must recycle old computers and electronics—like keyboards, mice, monitors, chargers, phones, and calculators—through an e-Stewards certified recycler. For leased laptops or other leased equipment, items must be returned to KCIT or the leasing agent.

The County recycled 110,000 pounds of electronics through local recyclers in 2025.

Policy and Goals:

As stated in King County’s Sustainable Purchasing Executive Policy (CON 7-22-1-EP),

  • Recycle all electronics per e-stewards standard or equivalent
  • Utilize manufacturer’s take-back programs
  • Promoting transparency, including disclosure of environmental, health, economic, and social risks through the use of environmental certifications and ecolabels

Quick Tips

Choose

 
  • Return leased laptops to KCIT when given a new one
  • Send working electronics (including keyboards, mice, monitors, chargers, telephones, calculators, etc.) to surplus for reuse
  • Send broken or non-functioning electronics to e-Stewards certified recycler

Avoid

  • Non-certified electronics recyclers 

An EPA checkmark indicates a certification or standard is recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).



Technical Specification Language

Basel Action Network e-Stewards standard

What can you do?

As individuals, it’s important to recycle electronics responsibly. Since 2009, manufacturers have been required to provide free recycling for TVs, desktop computers, laptops, and monitors. This service is available to households, small businesses, charities, schools, and local governments.

Washington E-Cycle logo

E-Cycle Washington offers a free and convenient program to recycle computers, monitors, laptops, and TVs in an environmentally safe way.