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In response to our recent series of stories about how to properly dispose of small appliances and electronics, a reader emailed decorahnews.com with the following helpful information: In the past, the Winneshiek Co. Recycling Center, in Freeport, has accepted small appliances, without a fee, under the general rule - "anything with a cord" (except, large appliances, T.V.s, monitors, ACs, and de-humidifiers). If the Recycling Center's policy is still true, then that location is more convenient than the Landfill, always free-of-charge, and better than throwing them in a dumpster. In addition, Goodwill Industries, next to HyVee, also recycles certain small appliances, especially computers. We reached out to Winneshiek County Recycling director Scott Logsdon who said, "We DO accept (at no charge) small appliances and electronics at the recycling center. We DO NOT accept TV's or computer monitors, although we DO accept everything else related to TV's and computers (DVD players, VCR's, mice, keyboards, scanners, printers, and all cords and wires)." In addition to the Winneshiek County Recycling Center, we were able to confirm that Goodwill also accepts computers and computer equipment (monitors, printers, scanners, hard drives, keyboards, mice, speakers, power cords, USB cables, ink/toner cartridges, and software). Goodwill will also accepts tablets and cell phones. The Winneshiek County Recycling Center does NOT accept refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers or AC units -- anything with a refrigerant in it cannot be accepted. If you are unsure whether your particular item will be accepted, call the Recycling Center at 563-382-6514, or Goodwill at 563-382-6146, or visit https://winneshiekcounty.iowa.gov/departments/recycling or https://visitgoodwill.com/what-we-accept/

Support your local businesses

More information about disposing of small appliances and computer equipment