Where to take your old computer
Your computer contains materials that can harm soil and water if thrown in the trash, so disposal requires a specific route. Most cities have at least one free or low-cost drop-off location run by the local government, a retailer, or a nonprofit. The fastest way to find yours is to search "[your city] computer recycling" or call your city's solid waste department and ask where they accept electronics.
Major retailers that sell computers often take old ones back. Best Buy accepts computers at the customer service desk for free, whether you bought it there or not. Staples charges a small fee (usually $10 to $15) but will take any brand. Some manufacturers, including Apple and Dell, run mail-back programs where you pack the computer in a box they provide and ship it at no cost if the device still powers on.
If your computer still works, donation is often faster than recycling. Schools, libraries, nonprofits, and community centers frequently accept working computers. Call ahead to ask what condition they need it in and whether they want the original power cord. Goodwill and Salvation Army locations in most areas take computers, though policies vary by branch.
Key Takeaways
- Never put a computer in the regular trash—it contains toxic materials that require special handling.
- Your city's solid waste department or a search for "[your city] computer recycling" will show you the nearest free drop-off location.
- Best Buy takes computers free at any location, and Staples charges $10 to $15 regardless of where you bought it.
- If your computer still powers on and runs, donation to a school, library, or nonprofit is often faster than recycling.
- Manufacturer mail-back programs from Dell, Apple, and others are free if the device still turns on.
What happens to your computer after drop-off
When you drop off a computer at a recycling facility, workers separate it into parts: the metal frame, the circuit boards, the plastic casing, and the glass screen. Each material goes to a different processor. Copper and aluminum are melted down and sold to manufacturers. Circuit boards are treated with chemicals to extract gold, silver, and other metals. Plastics are shredded and sold to companies that make new plastic products.
The hard drive or solid-state drive is the part that matters most to you. Recycling facilities either physically destroy the drive with a shredder or use software to wipe it completely. Ask the facility which method they use before you leave. If you are uncomfortable with either approach, you can remove the drive yourself before drop-off—most computers have a removable drive that takes five minutes to extract with a screwdriver.
Preparing your computer for disposal
Before you hand over your computer, back up any files you want to keep. Use an external hard drive, a USB stick, or a cloud service like Google Drive or OneDrive. This takes 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Once the backup is done, you can wipe the drive yourself or let the recycling facility do it.
To wipe the drive yourself on a Windows computer, go to Settings, then System, then Recovery, and choose "Reset this PC." Select "Remove everything" and let it run—this takes 30 minutes to several hours. On a Mac, restart the computer, hold Command and R until the Apple logo appears, click Utilities, then Disk Utility, select your drive, and click Erase. Both methods make your files unrecoverable.
Remove any external devices before drop-off: USB drives, external hard drives, memory cards, or cables. These are not part of the computer and may not be accepted. If you have a monitor, keyboard, or mouse, ask the facility whether they take those separately—most do, but policies vary.
Costs and what to expect
Most municipal recycling programs and Best Buy charge nothing. Staples charges $10 to $15 per computer. Manufacturer programs are free if the device powers on. Some private recycling companies charge $20 to $50 depending on the computer's size and condition, but these are rarely necessary—a free option exists in almost every area.
Processing time varies. Drop-off locations usually accept computers on the spot and recycle them within a few weeks. Mail-back programs take one to two weeks for shipping plus processing time. Donation to a nonprofit may happen within days if the organization has a waiting list, or it may take a few weeks if they need to test the device first.
Donating a working computer
If your computer still turns on and runs programs without crashing, donation is usually the better choice. Schools often need computers for classrooms or student take-home programs. Libraries use them in public computer labs. Nonprofits that serve low-income families, seniors, or people with disabilities frequently distribute computers to people who cannot afford them.
Before you donate, test the computer to make sure it starts and runs for at least 10 minutes without freezing. Wipe the hard drive using the steps above. Include the power cord and any original cables. If you have the original box and documentation, include those too, but they are not required. Call the organization first to confirm they accept computers and ask what condition they need them in.
Some organizations will pick up computers from your home if you live nearby. Others require you to drop them off. A few will pay you a small amount—usually $5 to $20—if the computer is recent enough and in good condition, though this is less common than free donation.
What not to do
Do not throw a computer in the trash or leave it on the curb for bulk pickup. Many cities have laws against this, and you can be fined. Even if it is legal where you live, the computer will end up in a landfill where the lead in the solder, the mercury in the screen, and the cadmium in the battery will leach into groundwater.
Do not donate a computer that does not turn on unless you have called the organization first and they have said they accept non-working devices. Most nonprofits do not have the informed or budget to repair broken computers and will have to recycle them anyway, which wastes their time and your effort.
Do not assume the recycling facility will wipe your drive. Some do, some do not. If you are unsure, remove the drive yourself before drop-off or wipe it at home using the steps above. A few minutes of work now prevents the risk of someone recovering your files later.
Finding a recycling location near you
Start with your city or county's solid waste website. Most have a search tool where you type your zip code and it shows you nearby locations. If your city does not have a website, call the public works department or sanitation department and ask where they accept electronics.
Earth911.com and Call2Recycle.org are national databases where you enter your zip code and see all recycling locations within a few miles, including what each one accepts. Both are free and updated regularly. Best Buy's website has a store locator where you can confirm that your nearest location accepts computers.
If you want to donate instead of recycle, search "[your city] computer donation" or call local schools, libraries, and nonprofits directly. Many have websites that list what they accept. If you are not sure which organizations are nearby, your city's 211 service (dial 211 or visit 211.org) can give you a list of nonprofits in your area and tell you which ones take computers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recycle a computer with a broken screen?
Yes. Broken screens are part of the recycling process—the glass is separated and processed along with the rest of the materials. Drop it off at any recycling location. If you are donating, call the organization first, because most nonprofits cannot use computers with broken screens.
What if my computer has a password I forgot?
You can still recycle it. The recycling facility will physically destroy the drive or wipe it using specialized tools that do not require a password. If you want to wipe it yourself before drop-off, you can restart the computer and use the password reset options in Windows or macOS, or you can straightforward remove the drive and recycle the rest of the computer.
Do I need to remove the battery before recycling?
No. Recycling facilities are equipped to handle batteries safely. In fact, removing the battery yourself can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Leave it in and let the professionals handle it.
How long does it take to recycle a computer?
Drop-off is when ready—you hand it over and leave. The facility processes it within a few weeks. If you use a mail-back program, add one to two weeks for shipping. If you donate to a nonprofit, they may put it to use within days or take a few weeks to test it first.
Can I recycle a computer for money?
Some private recycling companies and online marketplaces pay for old computers, usually $5 to $50 depending on the model and condition. Search "[your city] sell old computer" to see what is available. Most free options (Best Buy, municipal programs, nonprofits) do not pay, but they are faster and require no negotiation.