What Can I Recycle?
Through advances in recycling technology, you have more options than ever. And it's a good thing because we need to conserve as much of our resources as possible. In this section, you'll learn about which materials you can and can't put in your bin.
See how the actions you take affect the environment.
Experience MoreWhat needs special handling?
Electronics
Electronics that are obsolete, broken, and destined for recycling or disposal are sometimes called "e‑ waste." There are many chemical and mineral elements in e‑ waste. A circuit board contains copper, gold, silver, platinum and palladium, as well as lead. If recycled properly, this waste is a valuable source of secondary raw materials. Watch this brief video to learn more about e‑ waste.
Office Equipment (photocopiers, printers, fax machines)
Upgrading your office? Be sure to recycle your obsolete equipment.
By donating or recycling these products, Americans can lessen pollution, save resources, and reduce the energy needed to manufacture new products.
Printers have become so inexpensive that many people think of them as disposable. However, recyclers can dismantle the old equipment to reclaim the base materials which, in turn, become the raw material needed to produce new products.
Printer cartridges do not belong in landfills. Certain kinds of toner dust contain hazardous materials, as do inks used in inkjet printers.