Chippewa County contracts with First Choice to allow free electronic recycling for residents

CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Wis. (WXOW) – Chippewa County residents can recycle old electronics and appliances for free at a designated facility in Eau Claire.

State law bans most electronics from Wisconsin’s landfills and incinerators. Many electronics contain harmful materials like mercury, lead, cadmium and other heavy metals, as well as chemical flame retardants that can pollute the environment or harm human health if not recycled responsibly, according to a press release from Chippewa County.

The county has contracted with First Choice at 525 Park Ridge Court in Eau Claire to accept appliances and electronics during business hours. Residents can drop off items Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All televisions, non-freon appliances and electronics are free for Chippewa County residents. The only charges apply to freon appliances, batteries and fluorescent bulbs.

Items that must be recycled include televisions, computers, printers, monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, flash drives, e-readers, DVD players, VCRs, fax machines and cellphones. Major appliances like air conditioners, washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens, dehumidifiers, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and microwave ovens also must be recycled.

More than 90% of the materials in most electronics can be reused or recycled, the release said.

Responsible recyclers protect personal data by handling recycled electronics securely and destroying or completely wiping hard drives and other memory. Information stored on computers, cellphones, printers and other devices like credit card numbers, social security numbers and passwords can be accessed long after the device stops working.

The DNR maintains an up-to-date list of collection sites, upcoming collection events and free mail-back programs registered with E-Cycle Wisconsin at dnr.wi.gov.