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Recycling and Disposal Guide for Electronic Devices

Learn how to safely get rid of your old electronics to make space in your home.

Updated:
Ready to clean out your home of unused devices? Before you toss it in the trash, check to see where you should recycle or dispose of your home gadgets.

It’s easy to let unused gadgets pile up in drawers and closets. We're all guilty of it. Old cellphones, computers, and TVs require specialized disposal, but you may not be entirely sure how to go about it. So, you just store them, and the pile continues to grow. 

Whether you've started spring cleaning or are preparing for a move, the time has finally come to bid sayonara to these devices. With these tips, you can dispose of discarded devices in an environmentally friendly fashion. Just remember to erase personal data from your devices before you cast them away.

Table of Contents

graphic of people tossing trash bags into a can below a recycling symbol
graphic of a recycling and a trash bin

Hazardous vs. Non-Hazardous Materials in Your Locality

Check with your waste management department about whether something is safe to put with your household trash. There may be more “allowables” than you think. Below is a general breakdown of what's considered hazardous or non-hazardous, but different rules apply depending on your location. Before you dispose of anything, check your local city website for a complete list of how to get rid of your items.

Hazardous

Device Type

Examples

Lithium Battery Devices

Smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches

Rechargeable Accessories

Wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, power banks

TVs and Monitors

LED, LCD, plasma, CRT TVs

Computer Equipment

Desktops, servers, internal components

Printers and Copiers

Inkjet, laser printers

Smart Home Devices

Smart thermostats, cameras, hubs

Fluorescent Displays

Older LCD screens, backlit panels

Batteries (All Types)

AA, AAA, button cells, lithium packs

Rechargeable Household Devices

Cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes

Internet Equipment

Modems, routers, mesh systems

Appliances with Digital Displays

Microwaves, washers, dryers

Heating and Cooling Equipment

Window AC units, dehumidifiers

Non-Hazardous

Device Type

Examples

Basic Cable and Cords

HDMI cables, USB cords, extension cords

Remote Controls (No Batteries)

TV remotes with batteries removed

Wired Keyboards and Mice

USB or wired peripherals

Small Speakers (No Batteries)

Wired desktop speakers

Small Kitchen Appliances (No Electronics)

Toasters, blenders, hand mixers

Fans (Non-Electronic Controls)

Box fans, oscillating fans

Hair Styling Tools

Hair dryers, curling irons

Vacuum Cleaners (Corded, No Smart Features)

Upright or canister vacuums

Of course, just because something’s OK to put in the trash doesn’t always mean you should. Many secondhand stores, groups, and organizations gladly accept most of the above items as long as they’re in working condition.

Some items are considered hazardous because they contain toxic materials such as mercury, lead, or chromium that can damage humans, animals, and the environment. Also, many devices contain copper, gold, and other valuable metals that can be used again. A lot of energy goes into producing new devices. 

How to Find Your Local Waste Management Department

A Google search with the name of your city or county plus “waste management” should bring up local waste management websites. Usually, these are easy to find on your local municipality website. It's important to always double-check these local websites to make sure you dispose of any items properly.

Dispose of Electronics in Three Steps

It can be pretty easy to safely get rid of your devices, especially if they’re small (TVs obviously require some lifting and hauling, though). Websites such as Earth911 are a huge help. Just enter the type of gadget you have and your ZIP code, and Earth911 lists your recycling and disposal options. These options usually include your local waste management office, Goodwill stores, and retailers such as Best Buy, Staples, and Home Depot.

Depending on your device, you should look into selling or trading it. For instance, suppose you have an iPhone 15. You could take it to the Apple store or your mobile phone provider and get a trade-in credit. Larger devices such as TVs do pose a bit more difficulty because they’re heavier and harder to transport. You still have many options for recycling or disposing of them. No matter the size of your gadget or device, you can follow these three steps:

  • Decide whether you want to trade in, sell, recycle, or dispose of your item.
    • If you prefer to sell or trade in, look up the amount of money you should get for the device.
    • If you want to recycle or dispose of an item, look it up on a site such as Earth911 or The Battery Network (the latter for batteries and cellphones). You can also look into organizations, nonprofits, and refurbishers that accept your item.
  • Back up and transfer any data, including photos, files, and other important or sensitive data, from your old devices. Restore these devices to factory settings and remove the SIM card if one is still there. Look for any other external storage to remove, as well.
  • Follow the group or store’s instructions for trading in, selling, recycling, or disposing of your device.
graphic of a recycling bin filled with electronics

Whether to Sell or Trade In

Do you need cash, or are you getting a new gadget? Your old device might command a pretty penny, especially if it’s relatively new and in good condition. Newer devices will always yield higher trade-in credits or cash than older devices, but it never hurts to check to see how much you could get. 

Many retailers do both in-person and online trades. For example, Apple offers prepaid trade-in kits and shipping labels, as well as in-person Apple Store trades. If your device isn’t eligible for trade-in, then Apple and many other retailers can even recycle it for free.

Older gadgets may not get any bites, although you never know. Check out eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace listings to see if your item is in enough demand. Used devices in good condition are popular among frugal folks as well as parents who want affordable devices for their children.

If you choose to donate, see if you can write off the donation for its fair market value. Donating to political organizations doesn't qualify you, but donating to Goodwill, United Way, veterans’ groups, nonprofit schools, and public parks, among other groups, will.

Retailers and Groups That Help You Recycle or Dispose

Stores such as Best Buy and Amazon have recycling programs for a wide range of gadgets, including computers, tablets, TVs, cameras, and GPS devices. One retailer might even be able to take care of all of your device recycling needs.

graphic of a pile of electronics

Recycling Programs

If you go to Best Buy or Staples, visit the customer service desk to drop off your items. As of April 2021, Best Buy lets customers dispose of three devices a day, with up to two TVs included. There’s a $29.99 per item fee for TVs and monitors. Staples lets you turn in up to seven items a day but doesn’t accept TVs.

Office Depot’s recycling program is a bit different. The chain uses Tech Recycling Boxes, which you must purchase for $5, $10, or $15, depending on size. You can recycle all the electronic items you want, as long as they fit inside the box you purchased. Small TVs, cords, and cables are accepted.

Amazon’s program is in conjunction with Re-Teck, and Amazon covers all costs with shipping and recycling. You can recycle items such as e-readers, tablets, Fire TVs, chargers, cables, SD cards, and video game accessories.

Many manufacturers participate in recycling programs as well. For example, MRM runs the program for Barnes & Noble (Nook e-readers), Samsung, and Toshiba.

Trade In Programs

Keep the following websites in mind, too.

  • Your local waste management office
  • Earth911: Find a recycling solution for virtually any gadget or device
  • The Battery Network: Discover where to recycle batteries and cellphones

Need to recycle just one or two items? Look into the following options:

Batteries: Single-Use and Rechargeable

  • Go to The Battery Network. Enter your locality and whether you’re recycling rechargeable or single-use batteries. The list that pops up should include area retailers such as Lowe’s and Home Depot in addition to your local waste management office.
  • Use Earth911 to find a drop-off location for single-use batteries.
  • Do free drop-off at retailers such as Staples, Lowe's, and Home Depot.
  • Check local hardware stores.
  • Ship in boxes or in bulk via The Battery Network.

The Battery Network says that it has a public drop-off location within 10 miles of more than 87% of people in the United States.

Cellphones

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by a middle school brother and sister, Robbie and Brittany Bergquist. They were horrified that a soldier just returned from Iraq was forced to run up a $7,000+ phone bill to keep in touch with his family. Over the years, Cell Phones for Soldiers has recycled more than 15 million cellphones and provided more than 450 million minutes of free talk time to veterans and military personnel across the world.8

Televisions

  • Donate to a secondhand store
  • Drop off or arrange for a pickup at stores such as Best Buy (fees and restrictions on the number of TVs may apply)
  • Arrange for pickup with a store such as Best Buy (fees and restrictions on the number of TVs may apply)

Package your TV cords together and tape them to the TV. Use a dolly to transport your TV if you’re dropping it off somewhere. Don’t carry your TV, because there's a risk it can be dropped. It could break, and Hazardous materials in the TV could spread throughout your house.

Laptops

  • Donate to a refurbisher (Bonus: refurbishers usually accept your mouse, printer, modem, and any software for the laptop)
  • Head to Earth911 and search for “laptop computer”.
  • Check with your laptop manufacturer for a donation program.

You may be tempted to donate to libraries or nonprofits, especially if the computer is less than five years old. However, it’s better to donate to a refurbisher. Libraries and organizations have specific technology needs. Your old laptop, despite still working well, may not meet their specifications. But, it doesn't hurt to check if that's the route you want to try.

Cameras

  • Try Best Buy, Lowe’s, Staples, or Home Depot
  • Head to Earth911 and search, “camera” to see more options

Back Up and Erase Data on Devices That Store Your Personal Information

Before you sell, trade in, or recycle a device, erase any personal information from it. That way, no one gets access to your Social Security number, email accounts, bank accounts, and other sensitive information.

Factory reset your smart TVs, e-readers, and Amazon Fire sticks, too. They store personal data just like cellphones, tablets, and laptops.

graphic of papers and a laptop

Before erasing, do a device backup so you don’t lose photos, contacts, documents, calendars, reminders, and more. Here are links to backup and erase instructions from various companies:

Check your devices for any removable storage. Look in USB ports, for example, and remove SIM cards and microSD memory cards. Connect your old digital camera to your computer one last time to take care of any internal memory files.

Pros and Cons of Disposal Methods

Disposal Method

Best For

Pros

Cons

Tossing Items in the Trash

Non-hazardous, low-value electronics 

  • Fast and convenient
  • No travel or prep required
  • Risk of environmental harm if misclassified
  • Many electronics are banned from landfills 

Municipal Waste Recycling

Most household electronics and small appliances

  • Safely handles hazardous materials
  • Often free
  • Environmentally responsible
  • Limited drop-off days/locations
  • Rules vary by city or county

Retailer Take-Back Programs

Phones, laptops, TVs, accessories

  • Easy drop-off
  • Ensures proper recycling
  • Sometimes includes store credit
  • Brand or item restrictions
  • May charge fees for large devices

Manufacturer Mail-Back Programs

Brand-specific electronics

  • Designed for safe, compliant recycling
  • Convenient from home
  • Shipping time and packaging required
  • Not available for all products

Donation or Reuse

Working devices (phones, computers, small appliances)

  • Extends device lifespan
  • Benefits nonprofits or individuals
  • Zero waste
  • Devices must be functional
  • Risk of sensitive data shared if not wiped
  • Limited acceptance

Electronic Recycling Centers

Large or mixed electronics

  • Accepts a wide range of items
  • Recovers valuable metals
  • Keeps toxins out of landfills
  • May require fees
  • Locations can be limited or inconvenient

graphic of a recycling bin next to a bag of electronics

Recycle and Dispose of Your Gadgets and Devices

It takes a bit of research to safely recycle or dispose of an electronic device. Fortunately, the process is fairly straightforward. If your device works and is no more than a few years old, you might get some nice money for it.

Otherwise, national chains such as Best Buy help with batteries, phones, tablets, laptops, and even TVs. If you’d rather mail in items, Amazon offers a program that could be right up your alley. Likewise, The Battery Network offers mail-in recycling but only for cellphones and batteries. Apple offers both in-person and mail-in programs.

References and Footnotes