DNR Providing $85,000 In Grants To Rural Counties For Recycling Electronics

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the new E-Cycle Wisconsin Electronics Collection Grant for projects that will host an electronics collection site or event, or series of collection sites or events, in 2022 or the beginning of 2023.

“Protecting our precious natural resources and world-class outdoor spaces is key to protecting our way of life here in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “And as electronics have become an everyday part of our lives, we have to ensure every community has ways to recycle them and reduce their waste. That’s why I’m proud to have signed Act 79 into law, which will provide resources to local communities, Tribal Nations, businesses, and nonprofits so they can collect electronics waste and keep their environments safe and clean for kids and families to enjoy for generations.”

The projects must be located in counties that do not currently have a permanent E-Cycle Wisconsin collection site open to all residents. The application deadline is 5 p.m. CDT on April 29.

Wisconsin’s electronics recycling law, which took effect in 2010, includes a disposal ban for certain types of electronics and established E-Cycle Wisconsin, a manufacturer-funded program administered by the DNR that helps support a statewide network of electronics collectors and recyclers. As of 2021, households and schools have recycled more than 350 million pounds of electronics through E-Cycle Wisconsin.

In 2021, the Legislature unanimously passed updates to the law, which Gov. Evers signed and is now 2021 Wisconsin Act 79. The updates included making all K-12 schools in the state eligible for E-Cycle Wisconsin and authorizing a new grant program to improve access to electronics recycling in underserved areas of the state.

The DNR plans to award up to $85,000 in grants for this round, with the following maximum award amounts:

• Maximum award per collection event: $5,000
• Maximum award per permanent collection site: $10,000

“We’re excited to launch this new grant program and help more rural communities offer electronics collection programs to their residents,” said Sarah Murray, DNR E-Cycle Wisconsin Coordinator. “Our goal is to make convenient, affordable electronics recycling opportunities available statewide.”

The DNR will give priority to projects that include sites or events in Forest, Iron, Kewaunee, Marquette or Price counties because they do not have any permanent collection sites registered under E-Cycle Wisconsin and did not have a registered collection event during the previous year.

Review the E-Cycle Wisconsin Electronics Collection Grant Program Administration and 2022 Application Information for additional priority counties, eligible expenses, and other details. 

For more details on the program and a link to the application form, visit the DNR's E-Cycle Wisconsin Information for Collectors webpage.

The DNR maintains an up-to-date, interactive list of E-Cycle Wisconsin collection sites and mail-back programs, which allows residents to map nearby collection sites, look up locations by county, and find free trade-in and mail-back programs.