Memphis, located in Shelby County, Tennessee, offers various recycling options for electronic waste. Residents can drop off electronics at no cost through national retailers such as Best Buy and Staples, or participate in local council collection events. Additionally, Memphis-based manufacturers provide mail-back programs for their products, while certified e-waste recyclers nearby accept a range of items with specific guidelines. Each option listed below details what is accepted, the associated costs, if any, and restrictions unique to Memphis.
. They charge based on the volume and type of equipment, so getting a quote is important for budgeting purposes.
In Tennessee, businesses must adhere to the state's Electronic Waste Management Act, enacted in 2014, which requires manufacturers to collect and recycle certain electronic products. This law aims to reduce electronic waste going into landfills by promoting recycling efforts among producers.
Memphis also benefits from national WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) schemes through companies like Call2Recycle, ensuring that electronics are recycled responsibly according to federal guidelines. These programs often provide free drop-off services for businesses too.
To find out about upcoming e-waste collection events or kerbside pickup programmes, keep an eye on the Shelby County government's website or local community announcements. They regularly update information regarding seasonal recycling drives and special collections.
Remember, before discarding any electronic device, consider whether it could be donated to a charity like Goodwill where it might still serve a purpose. This not only helps reduce waste but also supports local communities by providing affordable technology solutions for those in need.
In summary, Memphis offers a range of options for recycling electronics, from free retail drop-offs to specialized commercial services. Knowing what you can recycle and where will help you dispose of your gadgets responsibly while staying within budget.
Verified electronics recyclers in Memphis
This is a live directory of 10 verified electronics recycling locations in or near Memphis, Tennessee. Data sourced from public business registers and verified against the eCycling Central directory of 3,200+ US recyclers.
| Recycler | Location | Phone | Services |
|---|
| 5R Processors, Ltd. | Democrat Memphis, TN | (901) 546-0088 | • Donation Program • Recycling • Refurbishmen |
| Bionic Wireless | Nashville, TN | (615) 469-1107 | • Donation Program • Recycling • Refurbishmen |
| Government Surplus Metals | KNOXVILLE, TN | (865) 978-1218 | • Recycling • Resale |
| a Technology Lifecycle | Hixson, TN | (423) 870-0007 | • Recycling • Resale |
| City of Tullahoma Public Works | Maplewood Ave Tullahoma, TN | (931) 454-1468 | • Recycling |
| Ecycling IT, LLC | Emily Ct Goodlettsville, TN | - | • Recycling |
| Appertain Corporation | Eighth St. Pulaski, TN | (931) 363-8284 | Electronics recycling |
| Scott Recycling | Hoitt Ave. Knoxville, TN | (877) 700-1521 | • Donation Program • Recycling • Refurbishmen |
See all 10 Memphis recyclers →
E-waste recycling in Memphis: full guide (2026-05-20)
Compliant disposal routes in Memphis
Electronics + appliance disposal in Memphis typically follows three legal routes:
| Route | Cost | Best for | Verification |
|---|
| Manufacturer take-back | Free | Like-for-like new purchases | Confirmed via Manufacturer Take-Back Finder |
| Retailer drop-off (Best Buy, Currys, Apple, Samsung, Walmart) | Free | Small electronics, mobile devices | National chain coverage usually applies |
| Local certified recycler | Free or low fee | All other devices, bulk items | Verify R2v3 / e-Stewards certification certification before drop-off |
Find specific providers nearby via our Recycling Locator.
What you can recycle here
Most consumer electronics + small appliances accepted at the routes above:
- Smartphones + tablets + laptops + desktops + monitors + TVs
- Printers + scanners + multifunction devices + toner cartridges
- Game consoles + handhelds + accessories
- Small appliances + power tools + lithium-ion battery packs
- Cables + chargers + adapters + audio equipment
- E-readers + smartwatches + fitness trackers
Bulk items (large appliances, CRT TVs, refrigerators, washers, dryers) often require advance scheduling + small fee. See our Appliance Disposal Cost guides for compliant routes.
Local rules + penalties
E-waste disposal at Memphis is covered by national + state / regional rules. Penalties for non-compliant disposal (general waste / landfill / illegal dumping) typically:
- EU jurisdictions: €1,000-€10,000 per incident under WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU + national environmental enforcement
- UK jurisdictions: £5,000-£50,000 per incident under UK WEEE Regulations 2013 + Environmental Protection Act 1990
- US jurisdictions: $1,500-$25,000 per incident under state e-waste laws (25 states have mandatory laws as of 2026)
Check specific risk via our E-Waste Fines Checker.
Data sanitisation before drop-off
For data-bearing devices (laptops, phones, tablets, hard drives), the safest practice:
- Sign out of all cloud services (Apple ID, Google, Microsoft, Samsung) before reset
- Factory reset via Settings menu (Settings → Erase All Content)
- Verify the reset completed (device should land on setup-from-scratch screen)
- For sensitive data (financial, medical, regulated): use certified ITAD provider with NIST 800-88 guidelines sanitisation - see Hard Drive Destruction Cost Calculator or generate a free Certificate of Destruction template via GDPR Data Erasure Certificate Generator
Should you trade in instead of recycling?
Even older devices often have meaningful resale value. A 5-year-old smartphone typically fetches £25-£80 ($30-$110) via trade-in vs $0 from recycling. Working laptops 3-5 years old: $80-$400. Compare 7 buyback prices in 30 seconds via our Trade-In Best Price Finder before committing to recycling.
Carbon impact of recycling vs landfill
Per EPA RAD Programme data + EU WEEE impact assessments: properly recycling consumer electronics saves approximately 50-90% of embodied carbon vs new manufacturing + landfill of old device. Typical savings: ~70 kg CO2e per laptop, ~80 kg per smartphone, ~120 kg per CRT TV recycled.
Frequently asked questions
Where's the nearest free electronics drop-off in Memphis? Major retailers (Best Buy, Currys, Apple, Samsung, Walmart, Staples) operate free drop-off bins at most stores. Municipal HHW (Hazardous Household Waste) collection day - typically twice yearly - also accepts electronics free. Use Recycling Locator for exact addresses.
What if I have bulky items (fridge, washer, dryer)? Usually requires either (a) free haul-away when ordering a replacement from major retailer, (b) municipal bulky-waste pickup ($0-$50, often 2-6 week wait), or (c) private removal service ($75-$300). For refrigerant appliances, confirm certified Section 608 technician handles the unit before removal.
Is recycling actually free? For consumer drop-off + mail-in: yes, free at point of use under producer-pays framework (EU WEEE + UK WEEE + EPR programmes in EU + manufacturer voluntary programmes in US). Exceptions: bulk appliance pickup, CRT TVs/monitors, oversized batteries.
Related guides + tools
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Disposal framework verified against EU WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU + UK WEEE Regulations 2013 + US state e-waste laws + EPA RCRA 40 CFR Part 273 as of 2026-05-20. Operated by Defining Style Limited (UK Companies House 10572391, ICO Registration ZA711914). Rules update annually - verify current penalties on enforcement-authority sites before relying on figures.
