Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronic Products?
Related Links
Recycle your cell phone. Its an Easy Call. | Déle nueva vida a su viejo teléfono celularrecíclelo.
- Find a Local Program
- Manufacturer and Retailer Programs
- Government-Supported Donation and Recycling Programs
Find a Local Program
- EcoSquid
EcoSquid is a web search platform that helps consumers identify the best options to resell, recycle, or donate new and used electronics. EcoSquid enables consumers to find opportunities to earn cash for electronics that have value, or recycling or donation options for those that do not.
- Earth 911
Earth 911 is a comprehensive communication medium for the environment. Earth 911 has taken environmental hotlines, web sites and other information sources nationwide, and consolidated them into one network. Once you contact the Earth 911 network, you will find community-specific information on eCycling and much more.
- Electronic Industries Alliances Consumer Education Initiative
The Electronic Industries Alliances eCycling Central website helps you find reuse, recycling and donation programs for electronics products in your state.
- TechSoup
TechSoup has compiled a comprehensive body of information to promote computer recycling and reuse. This site provides resources for those who would like to donate hardware, those who would like to acquire recycled hardware, and refurbishers.
- Call2Recycle Rechargable Battery and Cell Phone Recycling Locations
Call2Recycle can help you recycle cell phones and rechargeable batteries commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys.
Manufacturer and Retailer Programs
Manufacturers and retailers take different approaches to give you several options to donate or recycle your electronics. The following programs developed by EPAs Plug-In To eCycling partners may be national or regional in scope and may:
- Offer takeback, mail-in, or trade-in programs;
- Support local organizations that collect equipment;
- Host collection events at retail locations; or
- Support local recycling events with cities and municipalities.
AT&T Reuse and Recycle
- Reuse & Recycle Program offers you the option to bring unwanted cell phones, Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) and other accessories (regardless of the manufacturer or carrier) to an AT&T operated store or participating authorized dealer store near you. Use the store locator to find a participating store near you.
- For information on holding a cell phone recycling collection at your business or in your community, please visit AT&Ts online starter kit for donations.
Best Buy
- Best Buy offers consumer electronics recycling programs in all Best Buy US stores. Best Buy will accept most electronics, including TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, cell phones and more. Consumers can bring in up to three items a day per household (with the exception of MI, which is a state-mandated seven item limit). See Best Buy Recycling for details.
- Rechargeable batteries, CDs/DVDs and cases, cords and cables, gift cards and plastic bags may be dropped off at the Kiosks.
- Due to customer data privacy protection efforts, old cell phones may be dropped off at the customer service desk.
- Trade in unwanted electronic products for Best Buy gift cards or just recycle it for free. See Best Buy Trade-In for a step-by-step process for Tech Trade-In.
- There is no fee for in-store recycling.
Dell
- Dell RECONNECT is a comprehensive electronics recovery, reuse and environmentally responsible recycling partnership between Goodwill Industries and Dell, Inc. for consumers in participating communities.
eBay
- Rethink Initiative provides information, tools and solutions that make it easy to find new users for idle computers and electronics, and responsibly recycle unwanted products.
Hewlett-Packard
Intel
- Students Recycling Used Technology (StRUT) provides technology-based education for K-16 students through the process of refurbishing donated equipment for schools.
LG Electronics
- Offers consumers a free mail-in recycling program for old cell phones and their accessories (any make or model). Simply box up your old phone and accessories, print off the pre-paid mailing label from their website and mail in the phone for recycling.
- Offers consumers free take back and recycling of any product such as televisions, monitors, audio equipment, video cassette players and recorders, DVD players and recorders, combination TV/VCR and TV/DVD units, set top boxes and accessories associated with those products that have the LG, ZENITH or GOLDSTAR brands. Consumers can drop off up to five items at any one time for free at any of these locations.
Office Depot
- Tech Recycling Boxes ($5-$15 depending on size) are available at participating stores. You can fill the boxes with as many used consumer electronics (cell phones/PDAs, computers, televisions, etc) as will fit and drop the unsealed boxes off at any Office Depot store to be recycled.
- Every store has kiosks where consumers can drop off used cell phones, batteries and accessories.
Samsung
- Offers a mail-in recycling program to customers who want to recycle Samsung cell phones and accessories. Simply box up your old phone and accessories, print off the pre-paid mailing label from the website and mail in the phone for recycling.
Sony
Staples
- EcoEasy offers consumers in-store recycling of computers, monitors, printers, desktop copiers and other electronic waste for a fee of $10 per item
- All Staples stores offer in-store collection bins where consumers can drop-off cell phones, PDAs, chargers, other handheld electronics, and ink and toner cartridges for recycling ($3 rebates are available for some eligible toner cartridges).
Verizon
- Verizon Wireless HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished for reuse or recycled. Used phones can be returned to any Verizon Wireless retail store across the country. Use the Store Locator to find the Verizon store closest to you.
- Wireless phones and equipment donations can also be sent to:
Verizon Wireless HopeLine
c/o CMB Wireless Group
630 Broadway Avenue
Holbrook, NY 11741
Additional initiatives that support reuse and recycling
Government-Supported Donation and Recycling Programs
Preventing waste in the first place is usually preferable to any waste management option...including recycling. When you outgrow your computers, cell phones and other equipment, and pass them on to new users, thats reuse. Learn more about the benefits of Reusing and Donating Electronics. If donation for reuse or repair is no longer practical, you can send your used electronics for recycling. Electronic equipment can be recycled for recovery of metals, plastics, glass and other materials. To find a program in your community, you might want to start with your state or local governments website. The following websites provide examples of government-supported ecycling programs and additional sources of information:
- e-cycle St. Louis: Electronics Recycling for the Region
This consumer electronics collection program has been developed by the St. Louis Regional Partnership for Electronics Recovery to encourage reuse and recycling of unwanted electronics in the St. Louis region.
- eRecycle.org
This website provides guidance and information to consumers in California about recycling electronics.
- Federal Electronic Challenge
If you are a government agency or a business, check out the Federal Electronics Challenge for tools on how a large institution can donate or recycle its used electronics.
- www.ecyclingtools.com
This resource kit provides information on the entire lifecycle of electronics and contains useful information to help you address your e-waste concerns.