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Choose reuse or recycling
If a laptop or computer still works—or could be made useful with an upgrade—consider keeping it in service or donating it before recycling. The EPA recommends considering hardware or software upgrades and points consumers toward donation and recycling options. A recipient’s acceptance rules are local, so check them before handing over a device. EPA: Electronics Donation and Recycling.
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If reuse is not practical, compare collection options by accepted device and condition, geographic access, drop-off or mail-in convenience, any fee or credit, and battery and packaging rules.
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Where to take an old device
| Route | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Donation, reuse, or upgrade | Whether the device works or can be upgraded, and whether the intended recipient accepts it. Acceptance varies by recipient. EPA. |
| Manufacturer take-back | Eligible products, location coverage, data-preparation steps, battery condition, and packaging rules. Apple and Google describe their own programs; their terms do not establish eligibility for every device or location. Apple; Google. |
| Retailer, wireless provider, or carrier | Accepted device types, quantity limits, fees, and whether the offer is recycling or trade-in. The FTC identifies these as places to check, but acceptance is not universal. FTC: How to Recycle Your Cell Phone. |
| Local electronics or household hazardous-waste facility | Whether it takes the device and its battery, plus hours, fees, and drop-off instructions. Check state and community options; local rules differ. EPA. |
| Mail-in recycler | Eligible models and battery condition, mailing label terms, and packing instructions. Google describes a postage-paid label for its U.S. program; confirm the current flow and eligibility list. Google. |
Recycling is not the same as trade-in
A device may earn trade-in credit, be accepted only for recycling, or be ineligible for a particular program. Apple says devices that do not qualify for trade-in can still be recycled through its program at no charge; check current terms and geographic availability before shipping or visiting. Apple Recycling.
#1 Best Overall
- PCR: Made of post-consumer recycled resin for commercial recycling use
- BUILT-IN HANDLES: Enable easier lifting and carrying
- DESIGNED TO EASILY STACK: Designed to stack or nest for increased productivity
- DURABLE: Commercial grade construction to withstand years of indoor and outdoor use
- EASY TO CLEAN: Texture and design prevent liquid and debris build up for easy cleaning
Back up and erase a phone
- Confirm your backup. Back up the phone and make sure the backup is available before erasing the device. The FTC’s phone guidance explains the steps to take before getting rid of a phone. FTC: How to Recycle Your Cell Phone.
- Remove cards. Take out the physical SIM and any SD or memory card. If you will not reuse the SIM, the FTC advises destroying it.
- Unlink accounts and trusted devices. Review account links and trusted-device settings, including multi-factor authentication arrangements, so the handoff does not disrupt account access or leave the phone trusted. FTC: How to Protect Your Personal Information When You Get a New Phone.
- Sign out and erase using the maker’s instructions. Reset steps differ by phone and operating system. For Apple devices, follow Apple’s current transfer or erase instructions; manually deleting synced content can also remove it from connected devices and cloud services. Apple: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad.
Back up and erase a laptop or computer
- Copy what you want to keep. The FTC lists transferring files to a new computer, cloud storage, a USB flash drive, or an external hard drive as options. It notes that external drives can offer more capacity and faster transfers than flash drives. FTC: How to Recycle Your Computer.
- Check the copied files. Open or otherwise verify important files on the new computer or storage location before erasing the old drive.
- Use the operating system’s reset or erase function. Follow current instructions for the computer’s operating system; one procedure does not apply to every model or OS. The FTC’s computer recycling guidance covers preparation before disposal. FTC.
Handle batteries and shipping safely
The EPA states: “Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins.” Check local electronics or battery collection instructions; batteries may need to be recycled separately. EPA: Electronics Donation and Recycling.
Do not assume a damaged battery can be mailed with a device. Shipping requirements depend on the program and applicable carrier rules. Apple’s own mail-in instructions say not to ship loose batteries, to discharge a whole device below 30%, not to ship a device with a swollen, damaged, or defective battery, and to pack an eligible whole device with suitable filler. These are Apple program instructions, not universal shipping rules; follow the current recipient’s and carrier’s requirements. Apple Recycling.
Rank #2
- Recycling & Garbage Bin: This spacious blue bin makes waste disposal and recycling easy. With a generous capacity, it’s designed to help you collect and sort rubbish efficiently.
- Blue Waste Bin: Measuring 22.25" L x 17.25" W x 14.25" H, this recycling trash can offers a 17-gallon capacity and weighs only 3.92 lbs. It has a low profile and fits discreetly in any space.
- Home Recycling Tote: Built with tall side walls, carry handles, and injection-molded construction with a cross-stacking design, this bin ensures durability, ease of use, and easy storage.
- Versatile Bin: Ideal for home, office, garage, or outdoor use, this versatile recycling container features an easy-to-identify Mobius loop symbol and address bar for simple sorting and organization.
- Create a Gracious Home: At Gracious Living, we’re committed to making innovative and high-quality products to help people live more organized and gracious lives in homes they love.
What recycling can recover
EPA reports historical estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey (2006): recycling one million laptops saves energy equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 3,500 U.S. homes; recycling one million cell phones can recover 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium. These are 2006 estimates reported by EPA, not current measured outcomes. EPA.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- PACK OF 6: Comes with 6 18 Gal Recycling Boxes for use in various areas of a home or business
- PCR: Made of post-consumer recycled resin for home or commercial recycling use
- BUILT-IN HANDLES: Enable easier lifting and carrying
- DESIGNED TO EASILY STACK: Designed to stack or nest for easy storage when not in use
- DURABLE: Commercial grade construction to withstand years of indoor and outdoor use
Rank #4
- Space Saving Profile - The Highboy bin is perfect for tight or compact spaces; its narrow design and sleek shape make it ideal for the kitchen, garage, office, or other areas where space is limited while still large enough for household recycling.
- Easy Bag Removal - This indoor or outdoor recycle bin was designed with a tapered shape and vented sides to make it simple to remove a trash bag. Eliminate the struggle to remove a full bag of waste. The recommended bag size for ideal use is 33 gallons.
- Dustpan Edge - Sweep debris directly into the slim trash can with a dustpan edge that eliminates the need for a separate dustpan, making it easy and efficient to clean. The waste container is also made with smooth plastic to ensure easy cleaning.
- Swing Top Lid – The Highboy comes with the premium feature for functionality; a swing top lid to conceal trash while also providing easy access to discard waste. Remove the lid to empty the receptacle and reattach it with ease.
- Easy to Carry - Designed with you in mind, the Highboy durable plastic recycling bin has sturdy pass-through handles on top and a hand groove on the bottom. This makes moving the heavy-duty garbage can easier than ever.
Rank #3
- PCR: Made of post-consumer recycled resin for commercial recycling use
- BUILT-IN HANDLES: Enable easier lifting and carrying
- DESIGNED TO EASILY STACK: Designed to stack or nest for increased productivity
- DURABLE: Commercial grade construction to withstand years of indoor and outdoor use
- EASY TO CLEAN: Texture and design prevent liquid and debris build up for easy cleaning
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