Electronics & Batteries

Electronics and batteries cannot be collected with your garbage or recycling. These items are filled with valuable resources like glass, plastic, gold, silver, copper, palladium and more. Proper recycling ensures that heavy metals are handled safely to protect our environment.

New! eWaste Now Accepted at Markham Recycling Depots!

Markham Recycling Depots are now accepting your unwanted electronics for safe, responsible recycling – at no charge to you.
For guidelines, accepted items and Depot locations, see below.

Electronics Recycling Guidelines

Know before you go

Items must be fully intact
1. Disassembled electronics will not be accepted
Remove all batteries - drop off in designated containers
1. Damaged and/or lithium-ion batteries are not accepted - drop off at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot.
Remove Packaging
1. Styrofoam, cardboard, plastic bags - drop off at the Recycling Depot
2. Bubble wrap, plastic film, over-wrap – place in clear bag garbage

Protect Your Privacy

You must clear all personal information from computers, cell phones, any electronics prior to drop off.
City of Markham is not responsible for personal information contained on your electronic devices.
We are not able to retrieve or return items once dropped off for recycling.

Drop off at Markham Recycling Depot

Visit our Recycling Depot page for locations & hours.

What's Accepted

*Always separate batteries from your device.

Cameras
Cell phones, telephones, pagers and fax machines
Computer accessories, keyboards and mouse
Computer towers, laptops and modems (limit of four per visit)
Monitors, printers, scanners and typewriters
Televisions (limit of two per visit)
VCRs, DVD players, radios, stereos and speakers
Video games and consoles

Not Accepted:

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (go in your clear bag garbage)
Remote controls(go in your clear bag garbage)
Smoke detectors/alarms (go in your clear bag garbage)
VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs and cassettes (in good working condition should be donated, broken ones go in your clear bag garbage)
Small appliances (in good working condition should be donated, broken ones go in your clear bag garbage)
Microwaves (Drop off at a Markham Recycling Depot)
Refrigerated appliances, air conditioners and water coolers (Book and pay for a collection appointment by calling 905.477.5530)
Thermostats with mercury (drop off at York Region Household Hazardous Waste Depot)

Consider donating your electronics first!

Electronic equipment in good working condition should be donated to a local charity, such as the Salvation Army Thrift Store or Habitat for Humanity ReStore GTA. Always call ahead to confirm if your item is acceptable. If the item no longer works, drop off at York Region Household Hazardous Waste Depot. Residential customers only.

Battery Recycling

Battery Recycling

Batteries contain heavy metals and toxic chemicals — keep all batteries out of landfill and incineration to reduce soil and water pollution.

All single use and rechargeable batteries can be recycled. For safe recycling, batteries must be sorted, separate alkaline from lithium-ion.

Alkaline Batteries

A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, button
Store in a clear, plastic bag
Keep away from heat

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are used in many devices, including cell phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, and toys.

Do not put lithium-ion batteries together as these batteries have the highest potential for igniting; store separately
Seal terminals with clear packing or electrical tape
Store in a clear, plastic bag

Safety Tips:

NEVER place in your clear bag garbage, blue box or green bin
Store batteries in a plastic zipper-style bag, keep at room temperature, away from heat
Do not place batteries in direct sunlight or keep in hot vehicles
Avoid crushing, bending, or dropping a device and charger

Drop-off Locations

Remove batteries from bag when dropping off.

Additional Resources:

Hazardous Waste and Special Items (York Region)

Battery Guide

Drop Off Locator