Lane County offers multiple options for responsible electronics recycling

Lane County residents looking to dispose of old phones, computers and other electronics have a range of local options designed to reduce waste, protect personal data and support reuse programs. NextStep Recycling, which partners with Waste Wise Lane County, accepts computers, monitors, printers, phones, cables and other e waste, and offers reuse and training opportunities. County transfer stations and scheduled county drop off events also accept e waste on specified days. Residents should consult WasteWiseLane.org and NextStep Recycling for current hours, accepted items and any fees.

Municipalities and nonprofit groups in the county often run seasonal collection events that accept common household electronics. These events usually publish accepted item lists, and many exclude older CRT televisions or large appliances. Manufacturer take back programs remain an option for certain devices such as televisions and major appliances, providing another compliance pathway for items that local events will not accept.

For families and small businesses, practical steps can reduce risk and improve reuse outcomes. Before recycling, wipe drives, remove SIM cards and clear other personal data from devices. Check accepted item lists for each drop off location because some events will not accept bulky or legacy items. Whenever feasible, consider reuse or repair first. Local organizations refurbish usable devices for schools, job training programs and low income households, extending device lifespans and reducing demand for new electronics.

Schools have a recurring opportunity to engage students and raise funds through the Lane County Electronics Recycling Competition. Participating school groups can collect and responsibly recycle e waste while earning small grants for school programs, combining environmental stewardship with modest financial support.

From a policy and economic perspective, expanding repair and reuse activity strengthens a local circular economy, creates training and employment opportunities, and diverts potentially hazardous materials from landfills. For immediate guidance on where to drop off electronics, current hours and any applicable fees residents should consult WasteWiseLane.org, NextStep Recycling and their city or county solid waste pages.