Raleigh E-Waste Disposal 2026: Free Curbside Pickup (Tuesdays)

Item: Electronics — TVs, computers, monitors, small appliances with cords Jurisdiction: Raleigh city limits, North Carolina Last updated: July 2026

Quick Answer

Raleigh offers FREE curbside e-waste collection on Tuesdays only — up to 4 electronic items per household per week. You must schedule by calling 919-996-3245 before placing items at the curb. Items set out without a scheduled pickup are subject to fines of $150 to $500.

Accepted: Televisions (working or broken), computer monitors, computers, laptops, and small household appliances with a cord (toasters, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, lamps).

Not eligible: Residents without individual city curbside service (shared dumpster apartments) — use Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Facilities as an alternative.

Quick Facts

What Electronics Are Accepted?

Raleigh's free e-waste collection accepts the following items:

Accepted

• Televisions — working or broken. CRT, LCD, LED, plasma — all accepted.
• Computer monitors — all types, working or broken.
• Computers and laptops — desktops, towers, notebooks, tablets.
• Small household appliances with a cord — toasters, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, lamps, blenders, coffee makers, irons, fans.
• Computer peripherals — keyboards, mice, printers, scanners (within the 4-item limit).
• Small electronics — phones, tablets, gaming consoles, DVD players, stereos (within the 4-item limit).

Not accepted as e-waste

• Non-electronic items — regular trash, furniture, clothing.
• Large appliances — refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves (these go through Special Load pickup at $70 per load).
• Hazardous waste — chemicals, paint, batteries (go to Wake County HHW facilities).

How the 4-item limit works

• Each electronic item counts as one item toward the weekly limit.
• A computer tower and monitor are two separate items.
• A TV counts as one item regardless of size.
• Additional items beyond 4 will not be collected.

Scheduling, Fees, and Fines

Scheduling

Call 919-996-3245 to schedule your Tuesday e-waste pickup. Tell the operator what electronic items you have and confirm they qualify. They will assign you a Tuesday collection date.

Scheduling lead time is not specified on official pages. Ask when you call how far in advance to book.

Fees

The e-waste collection is free for eligible residents — up to 4 items per week, no charge.

Fines for unscheduled items

Placing electronics at the curb before you have a scheduled pickup is a violation:

• $150 administrative fee for early or late placement of items
• $250–$500 per violation under Raleigh City Code Section 7

This applies to e-waste the same as it does to bulky items. Do not put electronics at the curb until you have a confirmed Tuesday pickup scheduled.

Curb Placement Rules

E-waste follows the same placement rules as other curbside collections in Raleigh:

• Place items on flat ground — not in the street
• 5 feet clear of mailboxes, light poles, parked cars, low-hanging limbs
• On the main street in front of your residence — not in alleyways
• Do not place items inside containers or bins you want to keep
• Items must be accessible to the collection crew

Tuesday-only: E-waste placed at the curb on a Wednesday will not be collected. If you miss your pickup, call 919-996-3245 to reschedule.

Data Destruction and Device Preparation

Raleigh does not require data destruction before disposing of electronics. But it is strongly recommended — your discarded computer, phone, or tablet may contain personal data.

What to do before disposal

• Computers: Back up your data, then wipe the hard drive using the device's factory reset function. For Windows: Settings > Update & Security > Reset. For Mac: System Preferences > Erase All Content and Settings.
• Hard drives: If you want extra security, physically remove hard drives from computers before disposal. The hard drive can be destroyed separately or kept.
• Phones and tablets: Factory reset through the settings menu. Remove the SIM card and any SD cards.
• Printers: Factory reset if the device stores scanned documents or network credentials.
• Laptops: Remove the battery if possible (some modern laptops have sealed batteries — factory reset is sufficient).

For highly sensitive data

If the device contains sensitive personal or business information, consider professional hard drive destruction services. These are not part of the city program but are available from data security companies in the Raleigh area.

Note: Data preparation is your responsibility. Raleigh's program does not offer data wiping or destruction services.

Who Is Eligible?

Free e-waste curbside collection is available to Raleigh residents who receive curbside garbage collection from the City of Raleigh. This includes single-family homes with city-provided garbage carts, duplexes and triplexes with individual city service, and townhomes with individual city curbside collection.

Not eligible:

• Businesses and commercial entities
• Properties outside Raleigh city limits
• Residents whose property uses private waste haulers or shared dumpster service

Apartments, Renters, and Businesses

Apartment residents

The key question is whether your apartment has individual city curbside collection or shared dumpster service.

• Individual city service (your own garbage cart at the street): You are eligible for free Tuesday e-waste pickup. Call 919-996-3245 to schedule.
• Shared dumpster service (complex dumpsters shared by all residents): You are likely not eligible.

Alternative for apartment residents without individual service:

• Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Facilities — accept electronics for self-haul drop-off. North Wake MMRF (9029 Deponie Dr, Raleigh), South Wake MMRF (6130 Old Smithfield Rd, Apex), East Wake MMRF (5051 Wendell Blvd, Wendell). Mon–Sat 8am–4pm. Free for Wake County residents.
• Retailer take-back programs — some electronics retailers accept old devices for recycling. Policies vary — call ahead.
• Manufacturer mail-back programs — some electronics brands offer prepaid mail-back recycling. Check the manufacturer's website.

Renters without a vehicle

If you cannot transport electronics to an MMRF and are not eligible for curbside e-waste pickup, ask a neighbor or friend with a vehicle for help, check with your property manager about building-wide e-waste collection events, or call ahead to retailers offering in-store recycling drop-off.

Businesses

Free e-waste curbside pickup is not available to businesses. Businesses must use commercial e-waste recycling services. Search for "Raleigh commercial e-waste recycling" for certified recyclers.

Alternative E-Waste Disposal Options

If you are not eligible for the free curbside program or need additional options:

Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Facilities

These facilities accept electronics from Wake County residents:

• North Wake MMRF: 9029 Deponie Dr, Raleigh — Mon–Sat 8am–4pm
• South Wake MMRF: 6130 Old Smithfield Rd, Apex — Mon–Sat 8am–4pm
• East Wake MMRF: 5051 Wendell Blvd, Wendell — Mon–Sat 8am–4pm

Free for Wake County residents. This is the best self-haul alternative.

Retailer take-back programs

Some electronics and home improvement retailers accept old electronics. Policies vary by location and change frequently. Call the specific Raleigh store before bringing items.

NCDEQ e-waste program

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality provides state-level guidance on electronics recycling. Search for "NC e-waste recycling" for a directory of certified recyclers.

Raleigh Reuse App

If your electronics are still functional, the Raleigh Reuse App (Apple App Store and Google Play) can help find donation programs.

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Placing e-waste at the curb without scheduling

The number one mistake. Unscheduled items at the curb are subject to $150 to $500 fines. Always call 919-996-3245 first.

2. Putting e-waste out on a non-Tuesday

Raleigh's e-waste collection is Tuesday only. Items placed Wednesday through Monday will not be collected and may result in fines.

3. Exceeding the 4-item limit

Only 4 electronic items per week will be collected. Extra items will be left behind.

4. Throwing electronics in the regular trash

Electronics contain hazardous materials and are prohibited from landfill disposal in North Carolina.

5. Not wiping personal data

Your computer, phone, or tablet likely contains personal information. A factory reset takes minutes.

6. Assuming apartment eligibility

Shared dumpster residents are likely not eligible. Check with 919-996-3245 before assuming you can use the service.

7. Placing items in alleyways

E-waste must be on the main street in front of your residence. Alley placement will not be collected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recycle a broken TV? Yes. Broken or non-working televisions are accepted. They count as one item toward the 4-item limit.

Do I need to remove the hard drive from my computer? Raleigh does not require it, but it is recommended. If you remove the hard drive, the computer still counts as one item.

Can I recycle a microwave? Yes. Microwaves are small household appliances with a cord and are accepted under the e-waste program.

What about air conditioners or dehumidifiers? These are larger appliances that go through the Special Load program ($70 per load) rather than free e-waste collection.

How do I know if my apartment qualifies for the free curbside e-waste pickup? Ask Solid Waste Services at 919-996-3245: "Does my address have individual city curbside collection?"

Can I schedule both e-waste and bulky waste on the same day? Possibly. Ask when you call 919-996-3245. E-waste is collected on Tuesdays; bulky waste is scheduled separately.

Is there a fee for e-waste drop-off at Wake County MMRFs? Wake County MMRFs accept electronics from residents free of charge.

Official Verification Checklist

Use this when you call 919-996-3245 to schedule your e-waste pickup. Confirm each item:

• Confirm your address receives city curbside collection
• Confirm your items qualify as e-waste
• Confirm the 4-item weekly limit
• Ask about scheduling lead time
• Confirm placement rules — main street, 5ft clearance, no alleyways
• Ask about item preparation
• Confirm you must not place items out before scheduling
• Ask about coordinating with other pickups

Sources

• Raleigh Bulky, Special & E-Waste Collection — Official city page with e-waste program details, accepted items, scheduling, and fees
• Raleigh Landfill and Reuse — Official city hub for waste and reuse resources
• Solid Waste Services Customer Care — 919-996-3245 — Primary scheduling and information contact
• Solid Waste Services — 630 Beacon Lake Drive, Raleigh — sws@raleighnc.gov

This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Policies, fees, and eligibility change. Always call 919-996-3245 to verify current information before scheduling an e-waste pickup.