Hours, accepted materials and fees at public facilities change. Details here were checked in November 2026 against the operators’ own pages, linked under Sources. Call or check online before you load the truck.
How the program works
E-Cycle Washington is a state program, overseen by the Department of Ecology and funded by electronics manufacturers, that provides free recycling at collection sites across the state. Ecology describes it as free for households, small businesses, charities, schools, special purpose districts and small governments in Washington.
What is covered
- Televisions of any type, including old tube (CRT) sets.
- Computer monitors.
- Desktop and laptop computers.
- Tablets and e-readers, which Ecology lists among covered products.
Some lists have also included portable DVD players; check with Ecology or the collection site before relying on it.
What is not covered
Keyboards, mice, printers and other computer peripherals, as well as game consoles, stereos and most small appliances, are not part of E-Cycle. Many collection sites and retailers take some of these for recycling, sometimes for a fee; ask before you go, or call 1-800-RECYCLE, which Ecology lists for questions about items outside the program.
Where to take electronics near Port Angeles and Sequim
Ecology runs an online location finder for E-Cycle collection sites. The City of Port Angeles lists the Goodwill stores in Port Angeles and Sequim as places where residents, government offices and schools can recycle computers for free, and asks that you call ahead for large quantities. Sites change, so check the finder or call first.
Do not take TVs, computers or monitors to the Regional Transfer Station; the city does not accept them there.
Before you drop off a computer or phone
- Back up anything you want to keep.
- Sign out of accounts and remove the device from your Apple, Google or Microsoft account so it is not locked to you.
- Wipe it: use the built-in reset or "erase all content" option. For old hard drives you cannot boot, consider removing the drive and keeping or physically destroying it.
- Remove batteries that come out easily from laptops and tablets if the site asks; damaged lithium-ion batteries are a fire risk and go to the household hazardous waste facility or a battery drop-off.
Large quantities and businesses
Small businesses are covered, but sites may limit how many units they take at once. Large businesses and organizations outside the covered groups need to arrange recycling with an electronics recycler. If you are clearing out an office, call the collection site in advance.
Phones, small electronics and batteries
Cell phones are not part of E-Cycle Washington, but many carriers, manufacturers and retailers run take-back or trade-in programs, and some charities accept working phones. Small household electronics such as radios, DVD players and game consoles are also outside the program; electronics recyclers and some thrift stores accept them, sometimes for a fee. Batteries removed from devices go to the household hazardous waste facility or a retail battery drop-off.
Why electronics recycling matters
TVs, monitors and computers contain metals that can be recovered, such as copper, aluminum, steel and small amounts of precious metals, and some contain materials that should not end up in a landfill, such as lead in old CRT glass and mercury in older flat-screen backlights. Washington's program exists so households do not have to pay to recycle these products, which removes the main reason people dump them.
Old tube TVs
Large CRT televisions are heavy, often 100 pounds or more, and the glass contains lead. Do not break or dismantle them. Lift with two people, keep the screen facing down or toward the vehicle wall, and take the set to an E-Cycle site. If you are hiring a hauler for a cleanout, ask whether they take TVs to an E-Cycle site rather than to the transfer station, which does not accept them.
Donating working electronics
Working computers and recent TVs can sometimes be donated or sold. Wipe the data first, and check whether the charity accepts them before you drop them off.
Quick checklist
- Is it a TV, monitor, computer, tablet or e-reader? Use E-Cycle.
- Is it a keyboard, printer, phone or console? Ask a recycler or retailer.
- Is it a loose or damaged battery? Hazardous waste facility.
- Have you wiped your data and signed out of accounts?
Frequently asked questions
Is E-Cycle Washington free?
Yes. Recycling of covered electronics is free for households, small businesses, charities, schools, special purpose districts and small governments in Washington.
What electronics does E-Cycle Washington take?
TVs, computer monitors, desktop and laptop computers, and tablets and e-readers. Keyboards, mice, printers and other peripherals are not covered.
Can I recycle a TV in Port Angeles?
Not at the transfer station. Use an E-Cycle Washington collection site; Ecology’s location finder lists current sites.
Should I wipe my computer before recycling?
Yes. Back up your files, sign out of accounts and use the built-in reset to erase the device before you drop it off.