Managing Hazardous Waste

We protect the environment and communities by ensuring compliance with hazardous waste laws

Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste)

E-Waste Home  |  E- Waste More Information  |  E-Waste Handler Requirements

Notification of Intent Fact Sheet & FAQs  |  Annual Report Fact Sheet & FAQs

E-Waste Home

E- Waste More Information

E-Waste Handler Requirements

Notification of Intent Fact Sheet & FAQs

Annual Report Fact Sheet & FAQs

What is E-Waste?

Electronic waste, or “e-waste” refers to any unwanted electronic device or Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), and in California, e-waste is considered a universal waste which is a type of hazardous waste. E-waste frequently contains hazardous materials, predominantly lead and mercury, and is produced by households, businesses, governments, and industries.

Typical e-waste devices include, but are not limited to:

  • Old CRT tube televisions
  • LCD, OLED, and plasma televisions
  • LCD monitors, smart displays, and tablets
  • Laptops with LCD monitors
  • OLED desktop monitors, laptops, and tablets
  • Computers, computer monitors, and printers
  • VCRs
  • Portable DVD players with video screens
  • Cell phones and telephones
  • Radios
Examples of electronic devices: portable DVD player, Old desktop computer with CRT-containing monitor, LCD or OLED-containing desktop monitor, LCD or OLED-containing laptop computer, LCD or OLED-containing tablets, smart display, cell phone, LCD-containing television, gaming device, CRT-containing televisions.

Learn what is considered an “electronic device” in California

The United States is One of the Largest E-Waste Generators in the World

Electronic Waste Statistics: 46 pounds of e-waste was generated per person in the United States in 2019; 7 million tons of e-waste was generated in the United States in 2019; and the estimated recycling rate of e-waste in the United States was 15% in 2019.

Tackling E-Waste Recycling in California

The electronic device market is wide-ranging with new devices coming on the market. It is common for us as consumers to replace our old, used electronics with the newest versions and devices. The constant replacement of devices creates a large surplus of unwanted electronic products which we refer to as “e-waste.”

E-waste is a hazardous waste, so disposing of it in landfills has the potential to cause severe risk to both human health and the environmental. To encourage the safe and responsible disposal of e-waste, the Electronic Waste Recycling Act (EWRA) was signed into law in 2003. This Act established a program for consumers to return, recycle, and ensure safe, environmentally sound disposal of covered electronic devices (CEDs), a subcategory of e-waste.

For more information about CEDs, visit DTSC’s Covered Electronic Devices webpage. 

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Do you have e-waste you need to dispose of?

Protecting Californians from Hazardous E-Waste

E-waste in California Timeline: In 2000, the Universal Waste Rule was enacted, defining universal waste and establishing regulations for universal waste management. In 2003, the Electronic waste Recycling Act of 2003 was enacted, creating a program to support the safe and proper recycling of covered electronic devices. In 2004, the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 was enacted, establishing requirements for cell phone retailers to help consumers to responsibly recycle their old, used cell phones. In 2006, Household are no longer exempt from the Universal Waste Rule's prohibition on throwing electronic waste in the household trash. In 2022, the Electronic Waste Recycling Act was amended to include covered battery-embedded products (CBEPs).

Managing Discarded Cell Phones

Currently, cell phones are not considered to be a covered electronic device in California. Rather, to encourage the reuse, recycling, and disposal of unwanted cell phones, California passed the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004. Under this Act, cell phone retailers are required to develop and implement a take-back program for consumer’s used cell phones.

Refer to the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 Fact Sheet to learn more about this law and what it means for both you and the retailers. 

Additionally, this law requires DTSC to publish an estimated cell phone recycling rate in California each year. 

How is California is Doing with Recycling Cell Phones?

Note In 2022, the Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 was signed into law, requiring retailers of covered batteries to develop and implement a stewardship program for the collection of covered batteries. Beginning in 2028, this Act will repeal the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004.

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For more information on the implementation of the Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022, visit CalRecycle’s Battery Stewardship webpage.

E-Wastes are Universal Wastes

DTSC has also adopted regulations designating e-wastes as a type of universal waste (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 22, ch.23), therefore, classifying the e-waste as “Universal Waste Electronic Devices (UWEDs).” Universal wastes can be handled and transported under more relaxed rules compared to hazardous wastes because they pose lower immediate risk to people and the environment when managed properly. 

Universal Waste

Learn about universal waste in California and how it is different from other hazardous wastes. 

Learn More About Universal Waste

Universal Waste Fact Sheet

E-Wastes Are Still Hazardous Wastes

Although they can be handled under more relaxed standards, e-wastes still contain hazardous materials and must be taken to a designated handler or recycler—e-wastes may not be disposed of with other solid wastes.

If you are not authorized, you cannot smash or destroy e-wastes as this could expose you to hazardous dust and debris when doing so. Because of these hazards, activities such as smashing e-waste in places such as rage rooms is illegal in California.

The Hazard of E-Waste in Rage Rooms

To learn more about what rage rooms are and and why they are hazardous, refer to our The Hazard of Electronic Waste in “Rage Rooms” webpage.

Handling Electronic Hazardous Waste

“Handling” of e-waste can include the generation, collection, and/or recycling of e-waste; therefore, a e-waste handler is a universal waste handler who generates, collects, and/or recycles e-waste in California.

There are various notification and reporting requirements to consider before becoming an e-waste handler, and these requirements vary depending on which type of electronic waste handler you classify as. DTSC has prepared several guidance documents on complying with our regulations. These documents can be accessed through our E-Waste More Information webpage.

Note Under California law, generators are responsible for determining whether their e-waste is hazardous waste (Cal. Code Regs., tit 22, § 66262.11).

Notifications of Intent and Annual Reports—Demonstrating E-Waste Generation, Collection, and Recycling Activities

If you already handle or plan to handle e-waste, you can use our online Universal Waste Electronic Devices (UWED) Notification and Reporting System to file a(n):

  1. Notice of Intent (NOI) to handle » for generation, collection, and recycling activities
  2. Annual Report » due February 1 of each year for all facilities, including collection events
  3. Export Notification

For assistance regarding the notification and/or reporting process, email us at electronicwaste@dtsc.ca.gov.

UWED Notification and Reporting System

File your Notifications of Intent, Annual Reports, and Export Notifications.

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Information and Resources for Electronic Waste Handlers

The links below will refer you to more in-depth information regarding the regulatory and operating requirements for universal waste handlers (i.e., generators, collectors, and recyclers).

Requirements for E-Waste Handlers

UWED Dismantling FAQs

Annual Reporting Fact Sheet and FAQs

Guidance Documents for E-Waste Collectors and Recyclers

Notification of Intent Fact Sheet and FAQs

Standards for Universal Waste Handlers Regulations

Regulating California’s Electronic Waste

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) regulates and enforces the hazardous waste control laws and regulations in California, and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) manages the Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program that was established pursuant to the Electronic waste Recycling Act of 2003.

California CalRecycle LogoCalRecycle’s CEW Recycling Program

For more information or if you have any questions regarding the CEW Recycling Program, contact CalRecycle at ewaste@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003

Learn more about the Electronic Waste Recycling Act and the Covered Electronics Waste Program on our E-Waste More Information page.

Do you have unwanted electronic devices you need to dispose of?

Find an e-waste collector or recycler near you!

CalRecycle's Directory of E-waste Collectors and Recyclers

DTSC's Directory of E-waste Collectors and Recyclers

Additional External Resources — Find an E-Waste Recycler Near You!

Note DTSC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Promote e-waste recycling with our printable poster!

Print one (or both!) of these posters to inform others about e-waste and help them to locate a recycling location near them!

Printable Poster - Do not dispose of unwanted electronic waste in the trash!

Click to open and print

Printable Poster - Do not dispose of unwanted electronic waste in the trash!

Click to open and print

Links for Additional E-Waste Information

External Resources

DTSC has compiled this list of links to external webpages that contain information that may be of interest. DTSC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

 

Contact Us

For questions regarding e-waste: electronicwaste@dtsc.ca.gov

For general questions, contact the Regulatory Assistance Office:
1-800-728-6942 or RAO@dtsc.ca.gov

File an environmental concern

Last updated: April 4, 2024

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