Stearns County to Launch Year-Round Electronics Recycling Program in 2026

(KNSI) – Stearns County residents will soon have a new, permanent solution for disposing of their old electronics.

According to officials, starting January 5th, 2026, the county’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Waite Park will accept old electronics on an ongoing basis, marking a huge expansion of recycling services for the community.

The new program eliminates the need for residents to wait for special collection events or search for drop-off locations. Electronics will be able to be recycled during the facility’s regular business hours, Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., using the same convenient drive-thru system already in place for other hazardous waste items.

Most electronics can be dropped off free of charge, but items with screens carry a $10 fee per device. This includes smartphones, televisions, computer monitors, laptops, tablets, smart mirrors, and smartboards. The facility accepts card payments only for the screen fee.

The facility will take a wide range of electronic items, including all types of televisions, computers and accessories, gaming systems, home entertainment equipment, and communication devices. The full list includes CPUs, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cords, routers, cable boxes, VCR/DVD/DVR players, headphones, and home sound systems.

The program focuses specifically on electronics and does not accept kitchen appliances, personal hygiene electronics, yard and garden tools, automotive products, vacuums, fans, lamps, or other general household items.

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