Recycle your computer and electronics for free!

Bring your old computer components to the DoIT Help Desk located in the Computer Science building (1210 W Dayton Street) to have it recycled properly and securely. DoIT will accept computer components from any manufacturer, except products contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with chemicals, biological agents, or other substances not integral to the original new equipment or otherwise associated with normal office or household environments.

Note: This is strictly for personally-owned computers, not for departmental computers. 

DoIT will accept: Desktop and laptop computers Computer peripherals (such as CD drives, power adapters, keyboards, mice, headphones, etc.) LCD monitors No Monitors Over 25" (measured diagonally across the screen and including the bezel/frame) Television screens No Screens Over 25" (measured diagonally across the screen and including the bezel/frame) Computers with built-in screens (iMacs, All-in-Ones)  No Screens Over 25" (measured diagonally across the screen and including the bezel/frame) Hard drives Printers (Note: ink cartridges must be removed from printers before they can be accepted) CDs / DVDs Tablets LTO Tapes Computer Docks DoIT cannot accept: Hazardous waste Contaminated items Medical equipment (assistive technology devices such as hearing aids) Batteries that are not an integral part of the system being recycled Lead-acid batteries Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems Damaged batteries of any kind (this includes laptops and other items with expanding batteries) Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) that have been removed from their cases, or CRTs that are cracked or broken Cell phones, both smart and non-smartphones (can be recycled at Union South) Toner cartridges TV screens or monitors over 25"

Frequently Asked Questions

DoIT is partnering with Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations Inc., to provide an environmentally-friendly, on-campus alternative to putting those old computer parts in the trash.

• Is it secure? Yes!  Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations Inc. adheres to the stands and requirements set forth by several governing bodies, including workplace safety and e-recycling organizations that verify they are processing IT equipment and private data safely and securely.

• Should I delete sensitive information from my computer? Absolutely! If there's any concern about having the information on your computer fall into malicious hands, we recommend deleting information from your computer prior to recycling it. Remember to delete sensitive information, back-up necessary files, and remove all transportable media prior to delivery.  Once a computer is delivered for recycling, DoIT cannot return it to the owner.  Participation in this program constitutes a relinquishment of all rights to the hardware and other computer materials delivered to DoIT. Please see Media Disposal (Windows) - Securely Erasing a Hard Drive and Media Disposal (Mac) - Securely Erasing a Hard Drive in Mac OS for more information about securely erasing hard drives.

• Eligibility and qualifications: DoIT will accept computers, monitors, CD drives, hard drives, printers, and computer components from any manufacturer, except products contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with chemicals, biological agents, or other substances not integral to the original new equipment or otherwise associated with normal office or household environments. DoIT will not accept hazardous waste or batteries that are not an integral part of the system being recycled, UPS systems, CRTs that have been removed from their cases, or CRTs that are cracked or broken. (For information on how to recycle batteries, please see Battery Recycling on Campus.)

• Are your methods in compliance with health and safety laws? Yes!  Dynamic upholds a comprehensive set of performance requirements created specifically for the electronics recycling and asset recovery industries, and other processors, set into the framework of ISO 14001, the global environmental management system standard.  They have built their processes to adhere to all environmental laws and regulations.

• Parking: Parking is available at Union South and surrounding buildings. See map.wisc.edu for more information.

• Hours: Individuals may bring their items for recycling to the DoIT Help Desk during regular Onsite hours.

E-Cycle Wisconsin

The law establishes requirements for manufacturers, recyclers and collectors to ensure that recycling occurs in an environmentally sound manner. There are also requirements for electronics retailers, including the DoIT Tech Store. For more information about e-Cycle Wisconsin, see http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Ecycle/Wisconsin.html.

Additional Personal Recycling And Environmental Information

• Commonly Trashed Recyclables
• City of Madison Recyclopedia
• Clean Green Household Recipes