Where to take your old computer

Your old computer should not go in the trash. Computers contain materials that damage soil and groundwater when they break down in landfills—lead, mercury, and cadmium among them. Most places have free or low-cost ways to get rid of a computer without throwing it away.

The fastest option is usually a retailer that sells computers. Best Buy, Staples, and similar stores accept old computers for recycling, often at no charge. Some will take them even if you did not buy the computer there. Call ahead to confirm what they accept and whether there is a fee—policies vary by location.

Your city or county waste management department runs a hazardous waste collection day one or more times per year. Computers are accepted at these events. Search "[your city] hazardous waste collection" or "[your county] e-waste recycling" to find the date and location. These events are free.

If you have a working computer you no longer want, donation is faster than recycling. Schools, libraries, nonprofits, and community centers often take used computers. Call first to ask what condition they need the computer to be in and whether they have space. Some organizations will pick up from your home if the computer works.

Key Takeaways

  • Computers contain toxic metals and should never be thrown in the trash or left at the curb.
  • Retailers like Best Buy and Staples accept old computers for recycling at no charge in most locations.
  • Your city or county holds hazardous waste collection events where computers are accepted free of charge.
  • If your computer still works, donating it to a school, library, or nonprofit is faster than recycling and keeps it out of the waste stream.
  • Before you dispose of a computer, erase the hard drive or remove it entirely to protect your personal data.

Erase your data before you hand over the computer

Deleting files from your computer does not actually erase them. The data stays on the hard drive until something else writes over that space. A person with basic tools can recover deleted files from a computer you donate or recycle. Before you hand over your computer to anyone, erase the hard drive completely.

On Windows, use the built-in reset tool. Go to Settings, then System, then Recovery. Click "Reset this PC" and choose "Remove everything." The computer will ask whether you want to remove files securely—choose yes. This process takes one to three hours and erases everything on the drive.

On Mac, restart the computer and hold Command and R until the Apple logo appears. This opens Recovery Mode. Click Utilities, then Disk Utility. Select your hard drive, click Erase, and choose a format. Then reinstall macOS from the same menu. This also takes one to three hours.

If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, or if the computer will not start, remove the hard drive physically before you hand it over. Most computers have a hard drive that unscrews or slides out—search "[your computer model] remove hard drive" to see how. Keep the hard drive and destroy it yourself by drilling through it or taking it to an electronics recycler separately. This is the safest option if the computer contains sensitive information.

What happens to your computer at a recycling facility

When you drop off a computer at a retailer or municipal collection event, it goes to an electronics recycler. These facilities take computers apart by hand and by machine. They separate the plastic, glass, and metal so each material can be reused or disposed of safely.

The valuable parts—copper wiring, gold contacts, aluminum frames—are sold to manufacturers who melt them down and use them in new products. The toxic parts, like the power supply and circuit boards, are handled separately so the heavy metals do not leach into the environment. Glass from the monitor is crushed and used in new glass products or road base.

Not all recyclers meet the same standards. If you want to know that your computer is being recycled responsibly, look for a facility certified by the e-Stewards or R2 (Responsible Recycling) program. These certifications mean the recycler follows strict rules about worker safety and environmental protection. Search "e-Stewards recycler near me" or "R2 recycler near me" to find one.

Preparing your computer for pickup or drop-off

Before you take your computer anywhere, back up any files you want to keep. Use an external hard drive, a USB flash drive, or cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive. Copy over documents, photos, and anything else you need. This takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have.

Gather all the cables and power adapters that came with the computer. Recyclers accept these, and they are easier to process when they come in together. If you have the original box or packaging, bring that too—it protects the computer during transport and makes the recycler's job easier.

If the computer is broken or will not turn on, tell the person at the recycling center when you drop it off. They need to know so they can handle it safely. Do not lie about the condition—recyclers have seen every problem and know how to deal with it.

Selling a working computer instead of recycling it

If your computer still works, you can sell it instead of recycling it. This keeps the computer in use longer and puts money in your pocket. Websites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist let you list a used computer. Local buyers will pick it up, which saves you a trip.

Before you list it, clean the outside with a soft cloth and compressed air to blow dust out of the vents. Test that it starts, connects to the internet, and runs basic programs. Be honest in your listing about any problems—a cracked screen, a missing key, or a slow hard drive. Buyers will find out anyway, and honesty builds trust.

Price it lower than a new computer but higher than a recycling center would pay. Search for the same model on eBay's "Sold" listings to see what people actually paid for it recently. Expect to sell a five-year-old computer for 20 to 40 percent of its original price, depending on condition and demand.

Remember to erase the hard drive before you hand it over, even if you are selling it. The buyer will reinstall their own operating system, but they should not have access to your old files.

Recycling monitors and peripherals separately

Monitors, keyboards, mice, and printers should not go in the trash either. They contain plastic, metal, and sometimes toxic materials. Most electronics recyclers accept these items alongside computers, often at no charge.

Retailers like Best Buy accept monitors and peripherals for recycling. Some charge a small fee for monitors—usually five to ten dollars—because they are heavier and more expensive to process. Call ahead to ask what the fee is, if any.

If you have a working monitor or keyboard, donate it. Schools and nonprofits often need these items. A working monitor is easier to place than a computer because it does not require data erasure.

What not to do when disposing of a computer

Do not leave a computer at the curb for trash pickup. Most waste trucks are not equipped to handle electronics, and the computer will end up in a landfill. Do not donate a computer with the hard drive still in it unless you have completely erased it first. Do not throw a computer in a dumpster or donation bin without knowing where it will go.

Do not assume that because a computer is old it has no value. Even broken computers have parts worth recycling. Do not pay someone to take your computer away unless you have confirmed they are a certified recycler. Some people collect old electronics and sell them overseas to be stripped for parts in unsafe conditions. Stick with retailers, municipal programs, or certified recyclers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a computer in my regular recycling bin?

No. Computers should never go in curbside recycling bins. They jam the machinery and contaminate other recyclables. Take your computer to a retailer, a municipal hazardous waste event, or a certified electronics recycler.

What if my computer has a broken screen?

Recyclers accept computers with broken screens. The screen will be separated and processed differently than the rest of the computer. Tell the recycler about the damage when you drop it off so they can handle it safely.

Do I need to remove the hard drive before recycling?

Only if you are worried about data recovery. If you have used the built-in erase tool on Windows or Mac, the hard drive is safe to recycle. If you are not sure the erase worked, or if the computer will not turn on, remove the hard drive and destroy it yourself or take it to a separate recycler.

How much does it cost to recycle a computer?

Most retailers and municipal programs recycle computers for free. Some charge a small fee—usually five to fifteen dollars—if the computer is very old or broken. Call ahead to ask. Certified recyclers may charge a fee, but it is usually less than ten dollars per computer.

What happens if I donate a computer with personal files still on it?

The person who receives it could recover your files, including passwords, financial information, and photos. Always erase the hard drive completely before you donate or recycle a computer. If you have already donated it, contact the organization and ask them to erase the drive before they give it to someone else.