Properly recycling electronics conserves natural resources, ensures appropriate handling of toxic materials, provides a more sustainable source of precious metals, and protects human health and the environment.
eCYCLE DC
Manufacturers of certain electronics that are sold in the District must provide opportunities for people in the District to recycle electronic waste generated in the city. DOEE oversees this program.
Please see the links below for more information.
- Residents - Learn how to recycle your electronics.
- Manufacturers - Learn about manufacturer registration and collection requirements.
- Retailers - Learn about the responsibility of retailers.
- Resources - Find important documents related to eCYCLE DC.
What electronics are covered by this program (“covered electronic equipment” or CEE)?
- Computers (including laptops, tablets, and e-readers with screens larger than six inches)
- Computer mice
- DVD players
- DVRs
- Gaming Consoles
- Keyboards
- Monitors (screens larger than 6 inches)
- Printers (desktop, 100 pounds or less)
- TVs (screens larger than 6 inches)
- VCRs
- Other items
- These electronics (“covered electronic equipment”) are banned from the trash. Read more>>
Looking to discard electronics that are in usable condition or can be repaired? DOEE recommends seeking donation or repair options before recycling. To find a local donation or repair shop, visit Reuse DC at reuse.dc.gov and search the online directory. Reuse DC is the District's hub for learning where to repair, donate, and shop second-hand household items.
Covered electronic equipment is accepted for recycling through:
- eCYCLE collection events listed below
- These events are approved by DOEE as part of the eCYCLE program and run by electronics manufacturers to collect used electronic equipment at locations across the city.
- These events only accept covered electronic equipment.
-
Department of Public Works electronics drop-off
UPDATE: After June 3, 2023, DPW’s collection of electronics for recycling will be relocated from Benning Road Transfer Station to events at RFK Stadium Lot 3, 2400 E Capitol St NE.
- Events will take place on from 7 am – 2 pm on one Thursday and one Saturday of every month starting in July. Find out more and view the schedule.
- These events will accept more than covered electronic equipment. - Manufacturers’ mailback programs and other recycling options (last updated 5/24/23)
What electronics are not included in the program?
All items that are not listed in this fact sheet. Common examples of equipment that are not covered include:
- Loose batteries (a separate battery recycling program is expected to launch in 2023)
- Appliances, such as electric kettles or toasters
- Light bulbs
- Computer cords or wires that are not connected to a computer
- CDs or VCR tapes
- Loose ink and toner cartridges
Find out how to properly dispose of electronics not included in the eCYCLE program with the “What Goes Where” tool on the Zero Waste DC website. Read more >>
For concerns about data security, please see the following best practices for data-bearing electronic equipment. Electronics collectors recommend that consumers use commercially available data-erasing software to ensure data is removed from the equipment prior to dropping it off for recycling. Electronics recycler protocol is to wipe or physically destroy data-bearing electronic equipment, but it is prudent for residents to erase data out of an abundance of caution.
eCYCLE Collection Events for Recycling Covered Electronics
Only covered electronic equipment (TVs, computers, and other items listed above) will be accepted at these events for free from District households, small nonprofits, and small businesses.
Thursday, June 1, 2023, 10 am- 2 pm (note different day than usual)
Collection vehicle is expected to be on the corner of I St NW & Vermont Ave NW (Ward 2)
(Near By the White House Farmers Market)
Saturday, June 10, 2023, 9 am- 1 pm (note different time than usual)
Collection vehicle is expected to be on Parkside Pl NE south of Cassell Pl NE (Ward 7)
(Near Cesar Chavez Farmers Market)
**Subject to change - check back closer to the event date for any updates**
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 10 am- 2 pm
Near 640 10th St NE (Ward 6)
(Near Sherwood Recreation Center)
Collection vehicle expected to be on 10th St NE between F St NE & G St NE
Saturday, July 8, 2023, 10 am- 2 pm
Collection vehicle expected to be on Columbia Rd NW between Champlain St NW and Ontario Rd NW (Ward 1)
(Near Unity Park)
Friday, July 14, 2023, 10 am- 2 pm (note different day than usual)
Collection vehicle expected to be on Anacostia Ave NE between Dix St NE & Benning Rd NE (Ward 7)
(Near Anacostia Baseball Fields)
Check back for details on a July 22 event, expected to be in Ward 5
Saturday, July 29, 2023, 9 am-1 pm (note different time than usual)
Collection vehicle expected to be south of Petworth Farmers Market on Taylor St NW east of 9th St NW (Ward 4)
Saturday, August 5, 2023, 10 am- 2 pm
Near 1555 34th St NW (Ward 2)
(Near Volta Park Recreation Center)
Collection vehicle expected to be on the corner of 34th St NW & Volta Pl NW
Friday, August 18, 2023, 10 am- 2 pm (note different day than usual)
Near 201 N St SW (Ward 6)
(Near King Greenleaf Recreation Center)
Collection vehicle expected to be on corner of N St SW & First St SW
Saturday, September 9, 2023, 10 am- 2 pm
Collection vehicle expected to be on Connecticut Ave NW between Northampton St NW & McKinley St NW (Ward 3)
(Near Chevy Chase Community Center)
Saturday, September 16, 2023, 10 am-2 pm
Near 1922 Frederick Douglass Court SE (Ward 8)
(Near Douglass Community Center)
Collection vehicle expected to be on Frederick Douglass Court SE, north of Bruce Pl SE
Saturday, October 7, 2023, 9 am-1 pm (note different time than usual)
Collection vehicle expected to be on Lamont St between 17th St NW & Mount Pleasant St NW (Ward 1)
(Near Mount Pleasant Farmers Market)
Saturday, October 14, 2023, 9 am-1 pm (note different time than usual)
Near Uptown Farmers Market on north end of Colorado Ave NW (Ward 4)
**Subject to change - check back closer to the event date for any updates**
Saturday, October 21, 2023, 9 am-1 pm (note different time than usual)
Near 4321 Ord St NE (Ward 7)
(Near Kenilworth Rec Center Farmers Market)
Collection vehicle expected to be on Ord St NE
Saturday, October 28, 2023, 10 am-2 pm
Collection vehicle expected to be on Calvert St NW between 40th Pl NW & 39th Pl NW (Ward 3)
(Near Stoddert Recreation Center)
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 10 am-2 pm
Collection vehicle expected to be on Pennsylvania Ave NW between 19th & 20th St NW (Ward 2)
(Near James Monroe Park)
Saturday, November 11, 2023, 10 am - 2 pm
Near 1812 Erie St SE (Ward 8)
(Near Fort Stanton Recreation Center)
Collection vehicle expected to be on Erie St SE, between 17th Pl SE and 18th Pl SE
Saturday, November 18, 2023, 10 am-2 pm
Near corner of D St SE & 3rd St SE (Ward 6)
(Southeast of Folger Park)
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 10 am- 2 pm
O'Boyle Hall Parking Lot, 305 Fort Slemmer Drive NE (Ward 5)
(on Catholic University of America campus)
Near the corner of Harewood Rd NE & Fort Slemmer Dr
In 2023, there will be one eCYCLE collection event in each Ward during each quarter.
Contact Us: Please email [email protected] with questions.