Make 2026 the Year America Steps Up Electronics Recycling

by | Dec 31, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

The start of a new year is when many businesses take stock of what they’re holding onto — old equipment, unused technology, and hardware that’s been sitting around longer than anyone wants to admit. Computers, laptops, and monitors are usually at the top of that list.

Electronics recycling has improved in the U.S., but the numbers show there’s still a long way to go.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans generated an estimated 2.7 million tons of consumer electronics in the most recent nationwide data set. Of that, only about 38.5% was recycled through documented channels, meaning the majority was either landfilled, incinerated, or otherwise not responsibly recycled.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/electronics-batteries-management/frequent-questions-about-sustainable-materials-management-smm

On a global scale, the trend is similar. The Global E-waste Monitor 2024, produced by the United Nations and affiliated agencies, reports that 62 million metric tons of electronic waste were generated worldwide in 2022. Only 22.3% of that total was formally collected and recycled.

Source: https://ewastemonitor.info/the-global-e-waste-monitor-2024/

That gap is quite significant. Electronics contain recoverable materials like copper, aluminum, and precious metals, but they also contain many other substances that don’t belong in landfills. When devices aren’t recycled properly, both the environmental and economic costs add up. Over years and years of improper handling and disposal of electronic waste can cause dire consequences and leave a significant impact on society as a whole. 

Why electronics still sit around

For businesses, the biggest obstacle usually isn’t motivation, it’s uncertainty. Old electronics often still contain data, even if they’re no longer in use. Hard drives, SSDs, and embedded storage can hold customer information, internal documents, or credentials.

Without a clear plan for secure handling, many companies delay recycling entirely. Equipment ends up stacked in storage rooms, offices lose space, and devices continue to age without a path forward.

Progress exists, though participation needs to catch up

There’s no shortage of infrastructure. As of now, 25 states plus Washington, D.C. have electronics recycling or stewardship laws in place. Certified recycling programs exist, and responsible processing is widely available.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/electronics-batteries-management/regulations-electronics-stewardship

What’s missing is consistent follow-through, especially from businesses that refresh technology regularly. 

Looking ahead to 2026

If there’s a practical goal for the new year, it’s this: move electronics out of storage and into certified recycling streams, and do it in a way that doesn’t create data risk.

For businesses in Utah, Recycle IT offers a straightforward solution for commercial electronics recycling. We provide free pickup of unwanted electronic devices, including computers, laptops, and monitors. As part of the service, we also offer free data destruction for businesses, so equipment can be recycled without lingering security concerns.

If your company wants to start the year by clearing space, reducing risk, and handling electronics responsibly, now is a good time to do it. Click the link below to start the new year off right.

👉 Schedule a free pickup: https://recycleitutah.com/electronics-recycling/

 

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