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First decide whether the item can be reused, then find a local program that accepts that exact device. Before handing it over, erase personal data. Keep lithium-ion batteries—and devices that still contain them—out of household garbage and ordinary recycling bins; use a battery or electronics program that explicitly accepts them. Rules, accepted items, fees, and collection locations vary across the United States, so check with your local waste agency or the program before you travel or ship anything.
Where can I donate or recycle my old computer and other electronic products?
For a working computer or device, consider repair, an upgrade, or donation before recycling. Charities may be able to use working devices even if they are slightly outdated; include the chargers and other accessories needed to make the device work. You can also check whether its manufacturer or a retailer offers a take-back program. [EPA; FTC]
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For an unusable device, check your city or county waste agency, a community collection event, a manufacturer or retailer take-back service, or an electronics recycler. EPA links to household collection resources and directories for R2- and e-Stewards-certified facilities. The agency says those listings are informational, not endorsements; confirm that the specific location accepts your item before going. [EPA; EPA]
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Use the same check for cords and cables: ask the selected local program or recycler whether it accepts them and how they should be brought in. Federal guidance points to some community programs that may take items with electrical cords, but it does not establish a universal rule for cable acceptance or curbside placement. Do not assume a curbside bin or any particular store accepts every kind of electronics or cable. [FTC]
#1 Best Overall
- Use Office Depot's Tech Recycling Service for your broken electronics. Each year, Americans throw away millions of tons of old or broken electronics, creating potentially harmful waste known as tech trash.
- STEP #1: Choose your box size.
- STEP #2: Fill the Tech Recycling Box with as many acceptable items as will fit. Be sure the box can close with all items inside. NOTE: Please do not seal.
- STEP #3: Bring your unsealed Tech Recycling Box to any Office Depot store. A store associate will inspect your box to ensure all items are acceptable and that the box can be closed. If everything meets these guidelines, you will be asked to complete a form and the box will be accepted and shipped for recycling.
- Acceptable items include: Monitors, fax machines, desktop and laptop computers, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, telephones, digital cameras, VCR/DVD players, televisions, cords and cables.
How should I choose an electronics recycler?
Look for a facility whose credentials and handling practices you can verify. EPA identifies two accredited electronics-recycling standards in the United States: Responsible Recycling (R2) and e-Stewards. Both use independent third-party audits and ongoing oversight. Their standards address environmental performance, worker health and safety, security, downstream handling, reuse and recycling, and data destruction. [EPA]
Before choosing a program, confirm the details that affect your item and visit:
Rank #2
- Does it accept your specific device, cables, and any battery included in the device? Ask separately about damaged or swollen batteries.
- Is it a local drop-off or mail-back service, and are there fees, packaging rules, or appointment requirements?
- Will the device be reused or refurbished, or sent for material recycling?
- What data-erasure process does the facility use, and can it explain or document that process?
- Is the facility certified to R2 or e-Stewards, and can you verify its certification?
Program terms and acceptance vary by provider and location. Check current hours, costs, and conditions directly; a listing alone does not guarantee acceptance or free service. [EPA; EPA]
How do I prepare electronics before donation or recycling?
- Erase personal information. Delete personal data and sign out of accounts before handing over a device. Ask the receiving organization how it handles data, even if it is a certified recycler. EPA says R2 and e-Stewards standards require data destruction on used electronics; its FAQ also says certified recyclers are audited and keep erasure records for laptops. Remove memory cards, SIM cards, and other removable storage where appropriate to your device. [EPA; EPA; FTC]
- Check battery instructions. EPA advises checking whether a battery should be removed for separate recycling. Remove it only if that is practical and allowed by the device and program; ask the recipient how to handle an integrated battery. [EPA]
- Include what makes a donation usable. If donating a working device, include necessary chargers or accessories and tell the recipient about any known issue. [FTC]
How should I dispose of lithium-ion batteries?
Do not put a loose lithium-ion battery or a device containing one in household garbage or an ordinary recycling bin. Take loose batteries to a separate battery-recycling program or household hazardous-waste collection point. For a device with a battery inside, use a take-back service, certified electronics recycler, or local hazardous-waste program that explicitly accepts it. Check first: ordinary municipal recycling facilities are generally equipped for paper, plastic, metal, and glass, and batteries can be crushed or damaged there. A recycling symbol on a battery does not mean it belongs in a household recycling bin. [EPA]
Rank #3
- Holds electronic waste and LEDs. Electronic waste includes any electronic components that power on and have any chip or board parts. This includes, but is not limited to computers monitors, telecom gear, fax machines, and televisions
- Each UN certified container comes with a poly liner, instructions in English and Spanish, terms & conditions, and a pre-paid return shipping label.
- Access exclusive online features including recycling reports, container tracking, and certificates of recycling.
Prepare a loose battery for collection
Before taking a loose lithium-ion battery for recycling, isolate its terminals with non-conductive tape; EPA prefers electrical tape. Alternatively, put each battery in its own plastic bag. These steps reduce the risk of a short circuit during handling. They do not make a battery suitable for household trash or curbside recycling. [EPA]
If a battery is swollen or damaged
Treat a swollen battery as damaged and a potential fire hazard. If there is no immediate fire threat, keep it away from flammable materials while you contact the manufacturer, retailer, state waste agency, or local household hazardous-waste program for instructions. Do not puncture, dismantle, or mail it without case-specific direction. If there is an imminent fire threat, contact emergency services. [EPA]
Rank #4
- MEDIUM ELECTRONICS RECYCLING BOX
Why recycle electronics instead of throwing them away?
Electronics recycling can recover materials and conserve resources, but the figures EPA reports from a 2006 US Geological Survey estimate are historical, not current audited outcomes: recycling one million laptops was estimated to save the energy equivalent of electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year. The same 2006 estimate said recycling one million cell phones could recover 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium. [EPA, reporting USGS estimates]
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCheck local rules before you go
In the United States, states and localities determine how waste is managed, and acceptance rules differ among collection programs. Check your city or county waste agency, state environmental or waste agency, or the selected provider for accepted items, battery instructions, hours, fees, and mail-in conditions. The FTC also suggests checking local government offices, including landfill offices, for regulations and e-cycling programs. [EPA; FTC]
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Supply-061 RecyclePak Electronic Recycling Box provides a prepaid, convenient and environmentally responsible way to recycle a wide range of electronic devices, including computers, tablets, monitors, printers, and other e-waste, ensuring proper disposal and minimizing the potential for hazardous materials to end up in landfills.
- Veolia adheres to the rigorous R2v3 standards, ensuring that your electronic waste is handled responsibly throughout the recycling process, from collection to final disposition, protecting both the environment and data security.
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