Newsroom_News Release_2024-06-20DNR Providing $100,000 In Grants To Rural Counties For Recycling Electronics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2024-06-20

Contact: Sarah Murray, DNR E-Cycle Wisconsin Coordinator
Sarah.Murray@wisconsin.gov or 608-234-0533

DNR Providing $100,000 In Grants To Rural Counties For Recycling Electronics

Now Accepting Applications Through July 31

Two people, both in orange shirts, place old electronics into cardboard bins for sorting prior to recycling. Since the program's inception, households and schools across the state have recycled more than 400 million pounds of electronics through E-Cycle Wisconsin. Photo credit: David Nevala

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the E-Cycle Wisconsin Electronics Collection Grant for projects hosting an electronics collection site or event between September 2024 and December 2025.

Financial support for additional collection sites and events will make it easier for residents in those areas to recycle unwanted electronics. The DNR will give priority to projects in counties that do not have a permanent collection site open to all residents registered under E-Cycle Wisconsin. This includes projects in Calumet, Crawford, Florence, Forest, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Marinette, Price and Taylor counties.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

The DNR will award up to $100,000 in grants to businesses, local and tribal governmental bodies and nonprofits for this round, with the following maximum award amounts:

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

In 2022 and 2023, the DNR awarded more than $135,000 to 29 projects in 18 counties, mostly in rural areas. These projects supported the development of three permanent collection sites in Kewaunee and Pepin counties and 30 one-day collection events between August 2022 and May 2024.

"Our first two rounds of grants were very successful, contributing to unprecedented access to electronics recycling throughout Wisconsin. We're excited to help more rural communities offer electronics collection to their residents," said Sarah Murray, DNR E-Cycle Wisconsin coordinator. "Our goal is to expand access to convenient, affordable electronics recycling across Wisconsin."

The amount awarded for grants each year is based on available funds from fees electronics manufacturers pay as part of the E-Cycle Wisconsin program. This program was created in 2010 as part of Wisconsin's electronics recycling law, which banned many electronics from the trash.

Since the program's inception, households and schools across the state have recycled more than 400 million pounds of electronics through E-Cycle Wisconsin.

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

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

Need an expert?