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Take it Back Network
The Take it Back Network works to keep reusable resources and hazardous components from reaching landfills. The partnership consists of: government agencies, retailers, repair shops, charitable organizations, and recyclers.
Network members commit to providing environmentally sound recycling services. They agree to recycle the materials domestically or in developed nations. If asked, they can also provide customers with documentation about how and where their materials are recycled.
The Take it Back Network provides environmentally sound recycling. Members agree to recycle materials domestically or in developed nations and maintain transparency around where their materials are recycled.
Organizations can join the network and serve as a collection site if they are:
- A retail store that sells computers, office equipment, household electronics, hardware, or other accepted products.
- A recycling and solid waste management company that has drop-off sites where customers can bring their unwanted products.
- A repair shop, thrift store, community group or other non-profit organization.
Your organization must have at least 1 facility in King County where businesses and residents can drop off their unwanted products for recycling. If you don’t doesn't have a physical location in King County, you can provide pick-up services. These services must be available to both residents and businesses in King County for a reasonable fee. Additionally, organizations must have been in business for at least 1 year, as shown by a Master Business license.
Membership agreement
To join the Take It Back Network, please download and fill out our membership agreement.
Members must also agree to provisions on:
- Export restrictions
- Letter to the Washington Dept. of Ecology of intent to handle used electronic equipment
- Insurance requirements
- Quarterly reporting
- Site visits
- Making a certificate of recycling available to customers
Useful documents
- Certificate of recycling
Organizations must be provide this certificate to customers upon request. The certificate includes the type of product or material accepted; the name, location and phone number of the final processing facility that will recycle the material; and the process that will be used to recycle the materials. - Reporting form
Quarterly reporting form for Take it Back Network recyclers to send to King County Solid Waste Division. - Brochure of network locations
List of active Take it Back Network members and their locations
Recyclers in the Take it Back Network accept a variety of electronic equipment. This includes:
- Computers
- Monitors
- Printers
- TVs
- Cell phones and PDAs
- Fax machines
- Audio/Video and camera equipment (including DVD and VCR players)
- Household electronics
- Rechargeable batteries
Most Take it Back organizations charge a fee for recycling. This fee covers the labor costs of taking apart the equipment and transporting the materials to a processing plant. Fees change often, please call the vendor to verify the current cost.
Authorized E-Cycle Washington collection sites offer free recycling for computers and laptops, monitors, and TVs. There is a fee for Electronics that are not included in the E-Cycle Washington program.
Rules about electronics recycling in King County
Electronic devices such as computer monitors and TVs contain hazardous materials. Disposal of electronic devices must follow local, state, and federal regulations, as well as international trade laws.
King County waste acceptance policy
As of October 1, 2005, computers, monitors, televisions, and cell phones are not accepted in the garbage or at transfer stations. Visit the Waste Acceptance Policy for more details about what items transfer stations accept.
If you are a Seattle resident
The city of Seattle does not accept electronics that contain CRTs in commercial or residential garbage or at any transfer station (Seattle Public Utilities Solid Waste Director's Rule 2003-01).
Washington state regulations
The Electronic Product Recycling Law, Chapter 173-900 WAC, requires manufacturers of TVs, computers, and monitors to provide recycling services for these products at no cost. This service is for households, small businesses, charities, school districts, and small governments. For more information about the program visit the Department of Ecology website.
Other recycling companies
For a list of electronics recyclers that are not part of the Take it Back Network, visit the electronics section of the What Do I Do With…? website.
Take it Back Network membership requirements do not apply to non-member recyclers. Businesses and organizations may export electronics to countries with less strict environmental regulations. Before you pay a fee to recycle your electronics, make sure to ask about how and where a business recycles their materials.