The Sconi

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering $50,000 in grants to rural counties for recycling electronics, especially in the areas of Florence, Forest, Iron and Marquette.  

“Our goal is to make convenient, affordable electronics recycling available statewide," DNR E-Cycle Wisconsin coordinator Sarah Murray said in a press release this week. Special attention is being given to the aforementioned areas because they are in need of a permanent collection site registered under E-Cycle Wisconsin.

With the state’s electronics recycling law taking effect in 2010, many electronics became banned from being placed in the trash. The law also created the E-Cycle Wisconsin program, which is funded through fees manufacturers pay that support a network of electronics collectors and recyclers across the state.

To date, DNR officials report that more than 370 million pounds of electronics have been collected through the program.

Elements of the plan call for the funds to go to businesses, local and tribal governmental bodies, and nonprofits; with $5,000 reserved per collection event and $10,000 per permanent collection site. In 2022, more than $87,000 in grants to 15 electronics collection projects in 13 counties was awarded.

“Our first round of grants was really successful, and we’re excited to help more rural communities offer electronics collection to their residents,” Murray said.

The application deadline for hosting a collection site or event in 2023 is 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17.