Electronic Waste Management
Each year in California hundreds of thousands of computers, printers, televisions, and other electronics become outdated in the eyes of consumers. Rapid advances in technology and demand for new features and upgrades led to an increase of wasted electronic devices, or e-waste.
Program News
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- On January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 1215 adds covered battery-embedded products to the Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program. For the implementation timeline and an overview of the bill requirements, please see our dedicated SB 1215 webpage.
- The Act requires that, on or before July 1, 2025, and every year thereafter, a manufacturer of a covered battery-embedded product must send a notice with the product brand name and model number to all retailers in California selling those products (see Public Resources Code (PRC) section 42466.2). For more information, please see our dedicated Manufacturer Information webpage.
- CalRecycle compiled this list of products from notices sent to CalRecycle by manufacturers pursuant to PRC section 42466.2. The information contained in the documents below was provided by manufacturers and questions about specific product determinations should be directed to manufacturers.
- The PDF Table document consolidates the data from the Manufacturer Notices into an easy-to-read chart that lists categories of products, manufacturer and brand names, and examples of products within each category.
- The Notices Excel spreadsheet lists all noticed products from copies of the Manufacturer Notice that have been provided to CalRecycle. This list is sortable by brand, manufacturer, and device type, and contains product model numbers and UPC numbers (if provided).
- By posting these lists of products, CalRecycle is not endorsing the accuracy of the lists or otherwise confirming that these products are covered battery-embedded products as defined in PRC 42463(f). Also, these lists may erroneously include devices that are not covered battery-embedded products such as:
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- Products that are video display devices (as defined by PRC section 42463(g)(1)(A)).
- Products that are a loose battery (as defined at PRC section 42420.1(d)).
- Products that are not considered covered electronic devices.
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- Additionally, these lists are not complete lists of all CBEPs as they are based upon the notices that manufacturers provided to CalRecycle. The absence of a CBEP from this list does not relieve a manufacturer’s responsibility pursuant to PRC section 42466.2, or a retailer’s obligation to collect the covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee on a CBEP from a consumer. If a retailer is unsure, they are encouraged to contact the manufacturer. These lists are subject to change and will be updated periodically, and a listserv notice will be sent out.
Where to Recycle?
Use the eRecycle directory to find a local e-waste collector.
What is E-Waste?
What is e-waste? There is no clear definition for e-waste. The term is loosely applied to unwanted consumer and business electronic equipment.
Is e-waste considered hazardous? Sometimes. Certain components of some electronic products contain materials that render them hazardous depending on their condition and density. For instance, California law views nonfunctioning cathode ray tubes (CRT) and mercury bulbs from televisions, laptops, tablets and monitors as hazardous waste.
What should I do with my e-waste? Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
- Reduce your e-waste through smart purchasing and good maintenance.
- Reuse still-functioning items by donating or selling them.
- Recycle those products that cannot be repaired.
The Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program
The Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program (Program) provides all Californians with convenient recycling for unwanted electronics.
CalRecycle receives and evaluates applications from prospective collectors and recyclers to participate in the Program.
Visit the Program page to find out more about:
- Program statistics;
- Current payment rates;
- Regulations and statutes concerning the Program; and
- Upcoming and recent past events.
Why was I charged a Fee?
Since January 1, 2005, a recycling fee has been placed on certain electronic devices sold in California. See the Retail Fee page for details.
Approved Collectors and Recyclers
CalRecycle makes recovery and recycling payments to collectors and recyclers for collection and recycling of CEW.
See the Collector and Recycler Information page to find out more about requirements to participate in the program.
CalRecycle provides a database that organizations can use to find other businesses within the CEW Recycling Program.
Local Governments
Regulations governing the CEW Recycling Program contain a provision that allows a Local Government to designate an approved collector to provide its specified CEW collection services.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers of covered electronic devices are required annually to:
- Report specific information in Manufacturer Reports to CalRecycle about applicable devices that are sold in California
- Notify retailers in California of the fee requirement associated with selling these devices
- Provide information to consumers that describes where and how to return, recycle, or dispose of their devices
The Manufacturer Take-Back Payment System is also available.
Future of Electronic Waste Management Report
The electronic waste stream is becoming more complex and is presenting challenges to the recycling industry and policymakers alike. For this reason, CalRecycle embarked on a long-term initiative to explore the future options of electronic waste management in California. The culmination of the Future of Electronic Waste Management in California project is a report with a set of policy recommendations that CalRecycle adopted at its 2018 May public meeting.
This page is for informational purposes only; it does not list all requirements in statute and regulations.
For more information contact: Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program, CEDManufacturers@calrecycle.ca.gov