The Electronics Recycling Competition (ERC) is a community-driven initiative organized by Waste Wise Lane County—a part of Lane County Waste Management—and NextStep Recycling that encourages the responsible disposal of electronic waste (e-waste). Lane County-based schools compete to collect the most pounds of unwanted electronics. The competition runs from January to April each year.

The primary goal is to engage Lane County K-12 schools in a fun, competitive challenge to collect the most electronic waste (e-waste). This initiative aims to divert harmful materials from landfills, recover valuable resources, and foster lifelong habits of environmental stewardship among students and their families.

The competition is open only to K-12 schools in Lane County. Past participants have included schools from nearly every school district. Any Lane County school, private or public, is encouraged to register.

Sign up using our online registration form. From there, you’ll be contacted by NextStep Recycling for further instructions soon after the competition starts in January. Registration runs until Dec. 12, 2025, to enter the 2026 competition. Only school representatives can sign up with the principal’s permission.

Encourage your student’s teacher or principal to sign the school up for the competition. We do our best to reach all schools, but we can use all the help we can get to reach folks!

A wide variety of electronics are accepted, including:

Microwaves, TVs, printers, cords, cables, cell phones, computers, computer accessories (monitors, keyboards, mice, computer speakers, etc., whether in working condition or not), tablets, old or broken game consoles, remotes, & AV equipment (i.e., stereos, speakers, DVD players, etc.). NO PLASTIC, non-electronic items (i.e., toys, vacuums, etc.). Do you have questions or want to know which electronics are accepted? Email erc@nextsteprecycling.org for the latest list and more information.

For some schools, e-waste storage can be a challenge. We have good news: NextStep will deliver storage bins for you to place at your school for electronics collection soon after the competition starts in January. And if your bin fills up, contact NextStep via email at erc@nextsteprecycling.org to have them swap out your bin for a new one.

**Please note that the responsibility for the security of electronic items rests with each participating school.**

Here are a few more tips.

• Consider designating a secure but visible space in your school to collect materials.
• Donate directly to NextStep Donation Center (245 Jackson Street, Eugene) at any time during the competition. Just make sure to tell NextStep staff which school you are supporting so they can give the school weight credit.

NextStep Recycling ensures that data is securely destroyed and that materials are responsibly recycled, refurbished, or recovered, in accordance with the highest environmental and data security standards. If NextStep can’t fix it, they recycle it for you, working with eSteward and R2-Certified Recyclers.

Electronics contain valuable materials such as gold, copper, and aluminum, as well as hazardous substances that include lead, mercury, and cadmium. Recycling conserves natural resources, prevents toxic materials from polluting our soil and water, and reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with mining new materials.

No, participation in the competition and the recycling of all accepted items is entirely free.

Schools are divided into four student enrollment divisions.

• 0-300 students
• 301-500 students
• 501-700 students
• 700+ students

Schools that recycle the most e-waste (by pounds) in their respective enrollment divisions win the competition. Each enrollment division features one first-place school and one second-place school. To determine e-waste volumes, NextStep Recycling weighs all collected materials.

Lane County schools that recycle the most e-waste in each enrollment division will win a $500 Lane County Waste Management grant to support school sustainability, a NextStep Reuse Store computer gift certificate ($200 for first place, $100 for second place), and a special recognition award! Second-place schools in each enrollment division will win the prize package and a $250 grant.

NextStep Recycling comes to schools to pick up e-waste during the competition. After a school registers, NextStep will deliver storage bins for you to place at your school for electronics collection soon after the competition starts in January. And if your bin fills up, contact NextStep via email at erc@nextsteprecycling.org to have them swap out your bin for a new one.

**Please note that the responsibility for the security of electronic items rests with each participating school.**

Additionally, teachers, administrators, students, parents, or anyone wanting to support a school can drop off electronics at the NextStep Donation Center (245 Jackson Street, Eugene) at any time during the competition. Just make sure to tell NextStep staff which school you are supporting so they can give the school weight credit.

Yes! Businesses can also donate their electronic waste to schools during the competition—and NextStep will even pick it up! Email erc@nextsteprecycling.org with questions or for more information.

Pickup services are for businesses and schools only, not for individual residents.