As of January 1st 2012, the state of Illinois requires that electronic equipment be recycled, so it will no longer be collected with regular trash. The Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act, which took effect in 2008, required manufacturers to establish residential recycling programs for discarded and unwanted electric products, if they sell their products in Illinois. The newest phase (P.A. 97-0287) has expanded the list of electronic items banned from state's 48 active landfills. For a synopsis of this legislation, see The Environmental Law and Policy Center�s Executive Summary.

There are 17 electronic products on the expanded list in the statewide recycling legislation:

Televisions
Monitors
Printers
Computers (desktop, laptop, notebook, & tablet)
Electronic Keyboards
Facsimile Machines
Videocassette Recorders
Portable Digital Music Players
Digital Video Disc Players
Video Game Consoles
Small Scale Servers
Scanners
Electronic Mice
Digital Converter Boxes
Cable Receivers
Satellite Receivers
Digital Video Disc Recorders

Electronics manufacturers are required to collect and refurbish or recycle a certain amount of electronics based on a percentage of the products they sell. Manufacturers work with certified recycling companies to help them meet their recycling goal. Recycling companies typically work with local governments to provide free collection for residents.

Kane County and most other collection locations will accept far more than what is on the above list of required items, because the infrastructure is already in place to recycle most electronic and electric items.