Overview:

- "By recycling material rather than landfilling it, we can avoid the production of a significant amount of carbon dioxide," says a state environmental specialist.
- Michigan's electronic waste takeback program helps recycle about 10 million pounds of electronics each year.
- The Detroit Zoo's fall e-recycling event is Saturday, Nov. 8 at Macomb Community College South Campus.

Table of contents

Old electronics in landfills can waste valuable materials and harm the environment. Fortunately, Southeast Michigan residents have access to local drop-off sites and events that make it easy to recycle gadgets, batteries, and more.

What is e-recycling, and why should I care?

E-recycling is the process of safely recycling old or broken electronic devices like phones, computers, printers, and batteries. Many of these items contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium that can pollute soil and water if handled improperly. They also contain valuable materials like gold, copper, and plastics that can be recovered and reused, reducing the need for mining and manufacturing.

 “E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world,” says Chloe Pyne, sustainability coordinator for the Detroit Zoo.

“In fact, over 50 million metric tons of electronics are discarded globally each year, much of it ending up in landfills where it can leak harmful substances into the environment.”

According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, electronics recycling supports Michigan’s climate goals.

“Recycling is a key part of the governor’s climate change effort,” says Steve Noble, an environmental specialist with EGLE’s Materials Management division. “By recycling material rather than landfilling it, we can avoid the production of a significant amount of carbon dioxide.”

Where can I recycle electronics in Metro Detroit?

There are many e-recycling options, depending on where you live:

  • Detroit Zoo: Hosts seasonal electronics recycling events. Visitors can drop off items and get free admission to the zoo during the event. The zoo also collects small devices year-round through its “Gorillas on the Line” campaign.
  • SOCRRA (for Oakland County cities like Royal Oak, Ferndale, Birmingham, and others): Offers drop-off electronics recycling by appointment and holds periodic events.
  • RRRASOC (covering Novi, Farmington, Southfield, and more): Hosts multiple household hazardous waste and electronics recycling events from May through October.
  • Wayne County: Offers four Household Hazardous Waste collection events annually, which include electronics recycling.
  • Livonia: Allows residents to drop off electronics year-round at ERG Environmental Services on Merriman Road.
  • Padnos and other private recycling companies also accept electronics. Make sure the company is registered with EGLE to ensure proper handling and data security.

Can I recycle old batteries?

Yes — but batteries must be handled separately and with care. Household batteries can catch fire or leak toxins if thrown in the trash.

Cirba Solutions, which operates a facility in Wixom, partners with groups like the Detroit Zoo to help safely collect and recycle batteries. You can also drop batteries off at select municipal sites. Look for a collection event that accepts batteries, or check with your local authority.

What is Michigan’s takeback program for electronics?

Michigan’s Electronic Waste Takeback Program, run by EGLE, helps ensure safe recycling of common devices like TVs, monitors, computers, and printers. Under this program:

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  • Electronics manufacturers are required to fund takeback and recycling programs.
  • Recyclers handling covered electronics must be registered with the state.
  • EGLE collects annual data and enforces environmental and data security standards.

The program helps recycle about 10 million pounds of electronics each year in Michigan, said EGLE’s Noble, and the figure does not include commercial or industrial recycling.

How do I know if my recycler is trustworthy?

To protect your data and the environment, use a recycler that is registered with EGLE. These recyclers must meet strict environmental and data security standards and are inspected annually.

Avoid throwing electronics in the trash or using unknown drop-off sites that may not follow safe practices.

Are there any upcoming e-waste recycling events?

Yes. The Detroit Zoological Society holds e-recycling events in the fall and spring. The fall event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8 at Macomb Community College South Campus.

Visitors should remove personal data from devices before donating. Items typically accepted include laptops, phones, cords, batteries, televisions, and small appliances.

Check with your local recycling authority or city for other upcoming events.

E-recycling resources

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David Sands is a Detroit-based freelance writer. He's covered the news for Huffington Post Detroit as an assistant editor and worked as a staff writer for the transportation news site Mode Shift. He's a frequent contributor to Model D and Metromode. Follow him on Twitter @dsandsdetroit.