Your main options for getting rid of an old computer
You have four practical routes: donate it to a school or nonprofit, sell it for parts or as-is, take it to an electronics recycler, or arrange a pickup service. Which one makes sense depends on whether the computer still works, whether you have time to find a buyer, and what's in your area.
If the computer powers on and the hard drive works, donation and resale are your fastest paths and keep the device out of landfills. If it's broken or too old to be useful, a certified electronics recycler is your best choice—they extract valuable metals and may support hazardous materials like lead and mercury don't contaminate soil or water. Pickup services exist in most cities but usually charge a fee unless you're donating to a specific organization that partners with them.
Key Takeaways
- Working computers can be donated to schools, libraries, nonprofits, or sold through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay, which takes the least effort on your part.
- Before donating or selling, wipe the hard drive completely using free tools like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) or your operating system's built-in reset function to protect your personal data.
- Certified e-waste recyclers like Best Buy, local waste management programs, or Earth911 will take broken computers at no cost and properly handle toxic materials.
- Pickup services charge $20 to $50 but come to your home; some nonprofits like Goodwill offer free pickup if you donate multiple items together.
Donating a working computer
Schools, libraries, and nonprofits often need computers for classrooms, job training programs, or lending libraries. Call ahead to ask what specs they accept—many want machines from the last five to seven years with at least 4 GB of RAM and a working keyboard and mouse. Some organizations are picky about brand or operating system, so confirm before you drop it off.
Common places to contact: your local school district's IT department, public libraries, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, local community colleges, and nonprofits focused on job training or digital literacy. Many will arrange pickup if you're donating multiple items. Before handing it over, use your operating system's built-in reset tool—Windows has Reset this PC, macOS has Erase Mac, and Linux distributions have their own wipe utilities. These tools delete your files and reinstall the operating system, which takes 30 minutes to an hour.
Selling your computer online
If your computer is less than five years old and works reliably, you can sell it on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, or specialized sites like Swappa. Expect to get 20 to 40 percent of what you paid, depending on the brand, age, and condition. List it with clear photos of the exterior and screen, honest details about any scratches or dents, and the exact specs (processor, RAM, storage, operating system version).
Price it by searching completed listings on the same platform to see what similar models actually sold for, not what sellers asked. Wipe the hard drive before the sale using the same reset tools mentioned above. Meet buyers in a public place during daylight, bring the power cord and any original accessories, and consider asking them to power it on in front of you so they can't claim it didn't work when they get home. Expect the sale to take one to three weeks from listing to handoff.
Using a certified electronics recycler
If the computer doesn't work or is too old to donate or sell, a certified e-waste recycler will take it at no cost. These facilities extract copper, gold, and aluminum from circuit boards, and they handle toxic materials like lead solder and mercury in old screens safely instead of letting them leach into groundwater.
Find a recycler near you through Earth911.com (enter your zip code and select "Electronics"), your city or county waste management website, or Best Buy's recycling program. Best Buy accepts computers at any store for free, though they charge a fee ($25 to $35) if you're not buying anything that day. Some recyclers ask you to drop off during specific hours, while others offer mail-in programs if you live far away. Wipe your hard drive before dropping it off, even if the computer is broken—if the drive still spins, your data could be recoverable.
Arranging a pickup service
If you have a broken computer and no way to transport it, pickup services will come to your home for a fee, usually $20 to $50 depending on how far you are from their facility. Companies like 1-800-Got-Junk, Junk King, and local haulers offer this. Some nonprofits like Goodwill also offer free pickup if you're donating multiple items (usually five or more) at once, so call your local branch and ask.
When you book, be clear about what you're getting rid of—a single desktop tower is different from a desktop plus monitor plus keyboard, and some services charge per item. Ask whether they'll wipe the drive or if you need to do it beforehand. Most reputable services partner with certified recyclers, so your computer won't end up in a landfill, but confirm this before you book.
Protecting your data before you let it go
Deleting files normally doesn't erase them—it just marks the space as available for new data, and recovery tools can still pull your files back. To truly wipe a drive, use your operating system's built-in reset function or a free tool like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke), which overwrites every sector of the drive multiple times.
On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset this PC. Choose "Remove everything" and let it run—this takes 30 minutes to an hour. On a Mac, restart in Recovery Mode (Command + R), open Disk Utility, select your drive, and click Erase. On Linux, use the GNOME Disks utility or the command-line tool shred. If the computer won't start, read DBAN on another machine, burn it to a USB drive, boot from the USB on the old computer, and let it run overnight. Do this before you donate, sell, or recycle—it's the only way to be sure your bank passwords, tax returns, and personal photos are gone.
What to do with monitors, keyboards, and cables
Monitors contain mercury and lead, so don't throw them in the trash. Most electronics recyclers accept them for free alongside the computer. Keyboards and mice can go in the same pickup or drop-off. Cables and power cords can usually be recycled with the computer, though some recyclers ask you to bundle them separately.
If you're donating the computer, include the original power cord and any cables that came with it—schools and nonprofits often don't have spares. If you're selling, include them too; buyers expect the machine to be complete. If you have extra cables from old devices, ask the recycler whether they take them; most do, but a few only accept items that came with the computer you're dropping off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw a computer in the regular trash?
No. Computers contain lead, mercury, and cadmium, which are toxic. Many states legally prohibit e-waste in landfills. Recycling is free through most programs, so there's no reason not to use it.
What if my hard drive doesn't work and I can't wipe it?
Tell the recycler the drive is broken when you drop it off. Certified recyclers have protocols for non-functional drives and will handle them safely. If you're donating or selling, explain the drive failure clearly so the recipient knows not to try to recover data.
Do I need to remove the hard drive before recycling?
You don't have to, but you can if you want extra peace of mind. If you remove it, take it to the recycler separately or destroy it yourself with a drill or hammer. Most people just wipe the drive and recycle the whole machine—it's simpler and the recycler handles it safely.
How long does it take to sell a computer online?
Expect one to three weeks from listing to sale, depending on the price, condition, and how active your local market is. Pricing it 10 to 15 percent below similar listings speeds up sales. Pickup usually happens within a few days of the sale.
Will a school or nonprofit take my old computer if it's slow?
Maybe. Call first and describe the specs—processor, RAM, and storage matter more than speed. A machine with 4 GB of RAM and a solid-state drive will feel faster than one with 8 GB and an old hard drive. Schools often have low budgets and will take machines others won't, so it's worth asking even if you think it's too old.