Why Safe Electronics Disposal Matters

It's important to safely dispose of electronic products. Those that contain a circuit board or cathode ray tube (CRT), such as a TV or computer monitor cannot be placed in the garbage or recycling because they contain hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. These hazardous materials are harmful to human health and the environment. 

Items that contain rechargeable batteries also contain heavy metals that are harmful to environmental and human health when not properly handled. In addition, those batteries easily catch fire when put in recycling or garbage carts. They should be dropped off safely at private businesses or at a Hazardous Waste site. 

Find details and locations below. 

Free Electronics Disposal

Saint Paul residents can now recycle select electronics for free! Safely dispose of laptops, printers, cell phones, and more by taking them to the Ramsey County Environmental Center.

  • Address: 1700 Kent Street, Roseville, MN 55113
  • Hours
    • Tuesday-Friday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
    • Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    • Sunday - Monday: Closed 

Find details by visiting Ramsey County's Electronics Recycling Page.

Additional Electronics Disposal Options

Citywide Garbage Program

Electronic items are accepted as a bulky item in the citywide garbage program! 

Since October 2018, Saint Paul's citywide garbage services allows residents in 1-4 unit homes to dispose of 2-3 bulky or electronic items free of charge each year. Please do not put these items in your garbage or recycling cart! If you have more large items, no worries. Your hauler will pick them up for a nominal fee. Here's a list of accepted large, bulky, and electronic items.

Bulky Item Collection Information

Private Electronics Recyclers

Some manufacturers and retailers will take back your old electronics for recycling. Some may even offer cash back!

Recycling for selected electronics (fees may apply):

Cell Phone Only Recycling

Como Zoo is a permanent collection location for unwanted cell phones. All cell phones collected are sent to Eco-Cell for recycling and Como Zoo will receive funds for each phone donated. The funds raised will go to conservation projects that help preserve one of the most critically endangered species on earth, the Orangutan. Drop off your unwanted cell phone in the collection boxes located in the Visitor Center and Primate Building.

Ramsey County Hazardous Waste Collection Center also accepts cell phones to be recycled for free. 

Last Edited: October 13, 2025