How to Recycle Electronics in Kentucky
If you have old cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, or other small electronics sitting in a drawer, recycling them is an easy way to keep usable materials out of the landfill. For Kentucky residents, however, figuring out exactly where to recycle electronics isn’t always straightforward.
Here’s what you need to know about electronics recycling in Kentucky and an easy mail-in option for small devices.
Can You Recycle Electronics in Kentucky?
Yes. Electronics can be recycled in Kentucky, although recycling options vary depending on where you live and what type of device you have.
Some Kentucky cities and counties offer electronics recycling through local solid waste programs, collection events, or designated drop-off locations. Retailers and electronics manufacturers may also provide recycling programs for certain devices.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet provides information about electronics recycling and recommends that residents contact their local solid waste coordinator for guidance.
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
Before taking electronics to a local facility, it’s a good idea to check which items are accepted and whether there are any fees or residency requirements.
Why Recycle Old Electronics?
Electronics contain materials that can potentially be recovered and reused rather than discarded. Keeping electronics out of the regular trash also helps reduce the amount of electronic waste entering landfills.
Recycling is especially worthwhile for small electronics that tend to accumulate around the house, including old phones and tablets that haven’t been used in years.
And an old or damaged device doesn’t necessarily have to be worthless. Whenever possible, electronics can be refurbished and given another useful life before recycling becomes necessary.
Mail In Small Electronics from Anywhere in Kentucky
If you don’t have a convenient electronics recycling location nearby, Rescue Recycle offers a mail-in electronics recycling program available throughout Kentucky.
We accept a variety of small handheld electronics, including:
- Cell phones and smartphones
- Tablets
- Smartwatches
- MP3 players
- Digital cameras
- Handheld gaming devices
- Other qualifying small electronics
Devices do not need to be working. Older, damaged, and activation-locked devices may still be accepted.
For qualifying donations of four or more devices, Rescue Recycle provides a prepaid USPS shipping label, making it possible to recycle your electronics without finding a local drop-off location.
Have only one to three devices? You can still donate them through the program using your own shipping label. Covering the shipping cost for smaller donations helps your donation go even further by allowing more of its value to support our recycling efforts and animal welfare donations.
What Happens to Your Electronics?
When electronics arrive at Rescue Recycle, we first determine whether they can be reused or refurbished.
Devices that still have useful life left may be refurbished rather than immediately recycled. Electronics that cannot reasonably be reused are sent through our downstream electronics recycling process, where they are responsibly dismantled and processed to recover recyclable materials and properly manage components that require specialized handling.
This reuse-first approach helps extend the life of electronics while reducing unnecessary electronic waste.
Electronics Recycling That Helps Animals, Too
Rescue Recycle is a woman- and veteran-owned, family-run small business with a mission that goes beyond electronics recycling.
We donate 20% of our profits to animal welfare organizations, allowing donated electronics to help support animal rescue and welfare efforts while keeping electronic waste out of landfills.
Recycle Your Electronics from Kentucky
Whether you’re in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Covington, or a rural part of Kentucky, you don’t necessarily need a nearby electronics recycling center to responsibly get rid of old small devices.
Instead of leaving them forgotten in a drawer or throwing them away, send your eligible electronics to Rescue Recycle.
Ready to recycle? Visit our mail-in electronics recycling page to submit your devices and get started.