California’s e-waste laws ban electronic waste from landfills, charge a recycling fee of $6 to $10 on every new screen sold in the state, and, as of January 1, 2026, add a new fee on products with built-in batteries. Discarded electronics have to go through state-approved collectors and recyclers, and the rules apply whether you are a household, a business, or a government agency.
What Counts as E-Waste Under California Law
Two overlapping categories matter. The narrower one is the “covered electronic device” (CED): a video display device with a screen larger than four inches measured diagonally that contains hazardous materials identified by the Department of Toxic Substances Control. CRT and LCD televisions, plasma and OLED screens, computer monitors, laptops, and tablets all qualify. Screens built into vehicles, industrial equipment, medical devices, and household appliances like refrigerators or microwaves are excluded.
The broader category is “universal waste electronic devices,” which covers almost any discarded electronic that is hazardous because of its toxicity.1Cornell Law Institute. California Code of Regulations Title 22, 66273.3 – Applicability-Electronic Devices That sweeps in computers, printers, keyboards, cell phones, stereos, CD and DVD players, calculators, answering machines, and even microwave ovens.2Department of Toxic Substances Control. E-Waste More Information
The split matters in daily life. The recycling fee at the register only applies to the screened devices in the covered category. But the landfill ban applies to the whole universal waste group. A discarded phone or printer does not generate a fee when you buy it, and you still cannot throw it in the trash when you are done with it.
The Landfill Ban
California prohibits disposing of any electronic hazardous waste in a landfill. Because these devices are classified as universal waste, they cannot be mixed with regular household or commercial trash. Consumers, businesses, and government agencies are all bound by the same rule, and the only legal path is to hand the device to an authorized collection point or a certified handler.
The penalties are not administrative. Knowingly disposing of hazardous waste at an unauthorized location is a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per day of violation. If the disposal creates a risk of death or serious injury, the penalties rise to additional prison time and fines up to $250,000 per day.3California Legislative Information. California Health and Safety Code 25189.5
The Recycling Fees You Pay at the Register
When you buy a new or refurbished covered electronic device in California, the retailer collects a Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee at the register, itemized on your receipt. The fee is based on screen size:
- Under 15 inches: $6
- 15 to under 35 inches: $8
- 35 inches or larger: $10
These amounts are set by Public Resources Code Section 42464, and the retailer sends the money to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).4California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee – Section 42464 The revenue funds payments to approved collectors and recyclers so that handling discarded electronics stays financially viable.
The 2026 Battery-Embedded Product Fee
Starting January 1, 2026, California added a separate fee under SB 1215 on “covered battery-embedded products” (CBEPs): any device containing a battery that is not designed to be easily removed with common household tools.5CalRecycle. SB 1215 Covered Battery-Embedded Products Wireless earbuds, cordless power tools, and electric toothbrushes are typical examples.
The fee is 1.5 percent of the retail sales price, capped at $15 per product, and CalRecycle has authority to adjust the rate annually beginning August 1, 2026.6California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Covered Battery-Embedded (CBE) Waste Recycling Fee It does not apply to devices already subject to the screen fee, certain medical devices, energy storage systems, or electronic nicotine delivery systems.5CalRecycle. SB 1215 Covered Battery-Embedded Products Manufacturers must also label these products with the manufacturer’s name and the battery chemistry.
Where to Take Your Old Electronics
The only lawful path for a discarded screen, computer, phone, or other covered electronic is an authorized collector. CalRecycle runs an online eRecycle search tool that locates nearby drop-off sites by address.7CalRecycle. Where Do I Recycle E-Waste Many cities and counties host periodic collection events, and some retailers accept old electronics when you buy a replacement.
Call before you go. Some sites focus on video display devices eligible for the state recovery payment, while others accept the broader range of universal waste electronics. If you are a business or organization moving bulk material, CalRecycle also publishes a separate directory of approved collectors and recyclers.8California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. Directory of Approved Collectors and Recyclers of Covered Electronic Waste
Wipe Your Data Before You Recycle
California’s e-waste rules focus on hazardous materials, not personal information, so protecting data on a device you are discarding is on you. For a hard drive, that means a full wipe with software that overwrites the drive, or physical destruction. For a phone or a solid-state drive, a factory reset combined with encryption is the practical minimum. The federal media sanitization standard, NIST Special Publication 800-88, lays out documented methods including secure erase and cryptographic erase.9Computer Security Resource Center. Guidelines for Media Sanitization
Businesses that handle consumer reports, including lenders, employers, landlords, and insurers, have a separate legal duty under the federal Disposal Rule to destroy electronic files so the information cannot be read or reconstructed.10Federal Trade Commission. Disposing of Consumer Report Information? Rule Tells How
If You Sell Covered Products
Retailers of covered electronic devices or battery-embedded products must register with CDTFA for a recycling fee account, collect the applicable fee on every sale, itemize it separately on the receipt, file quarterly returns, and remit the fees to the state. The rule reaches online sellers and marketplace facilitators as well. Retailers can keep three percent of the battery-embedded fee collected to cover administrative costs. Late filing triggers a ten percent penalty plus interest, and any retailer whose estimated average monthly liability is $20,000 or more must pay electronically.6California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Covered Battery-Embedded (CBE) Waste Recycling Fee