Where to take your old laptop

Your old laptop contains materials that can be recovered and reused, and some parts are toxic if they end up in a landfill. The fastest way to get rid of it is to take it to a retailer that accepts electronics, a municipal hazardous waste collection event, or a nonprofit that refurbishes computers. Each route has different requirements and timelines.

Best Buy accepts laptops at any store location, no purchase necessary. You can drop off one item per day for free, or pay a recycling fee (usually $10 to $25) if the laptop is broken or very old. Staples also takes laptops and other electronics at no charge. Both retailers either refurbish working machines or send them to certified recyclers. Call ahead to confirm your local store accepts laptops, since some locations have limited space.

Your city or county likely runs a hazardous waste collection day once or twice a year, usually in spring and fall. These events are free and accept all electronics, including laptops. Search "[your city name] hazardous waste collection" or call your local solid waste department to find the date and location. Some areas also have permanent drop-off centers that take electronics year-round.

Nonprofits like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and local computer refurbishment charities accept working laptops and donate them to schools or low-income families. Call first to ask if they take laptops in the condition yours is in. If your laptop still powers on and the screen works, a nonprofit is often the best choice because the machine stays in use rather than being dismantled.

Key Takeaways

  • Best Buy and Staples accept laptops at any store for free or a small fee, and you can drop one off without an appointment.
  • Your city or county runs free hazardous waste collection events where you can bring electronics, usually once or twice per year.
  • Working laptops can go to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or local computer refurbishment nonprofits, which donate them instead of recycling them.
  • Before you dispose of your laptop, back up your files and wipe the hard drive so your personal data is not recovered by someone else.
  • Manufacturer take-back programs like Dell, HP, and Lenovo's recycling services are free or low-cost and sometimes offer shipping labels.

How to prepare your laptop before disposal

Before you hand over your laptop, remove all your personal data. straightforward deleting files is not enough—they can be recovered with basic software. Back up anything you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage first.

On Windows, use the built-in reset tool: go to Settings > System > Recovery, then click "Reset this PC" and choose "Remove everything." This wipes the drive and reinstalls Windows. On Mac, restart your computer, hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then go to Utilities > Disk Utility, select your hard drive, and click "Erase." Restart and go through the initial setup screens, then shut down. Both methods take 30 minutes to an hour.

If your laptop is very old and you are not sure the reset will work, remove the hard drive yourself if you are comfortable doing so. Most laptops have a panel on the bottom held by a few screws. Take a photo of the cable connections before you unplug anything. You can then destroy the hard drive with a drill or hammer, or take it to an electronics recycler separately. If you are not comfortable opening the laptop, ask the retailer or nonprofit whether they will wipe it for you.

Manufacturer recycling programs

Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and other laptop makers run their own recycling programs. These are often free or cost $5 to $15, and some provide prepaid shipping labels so you mail the laptop to them instead of driving somewhere.

Visit the manufacturer's website and search for "recycling" or "take back." You will find a form where you enter your laptop model and zip code. The site will tell you the cost (if any) and whether the company ships you a label. Some programs offer credit toward a new purchase if your old laptop has resale value. Processing usually takes two to four weeks after the company receives it.

Manufacturer programs are worth checking if you live far from a retailer or collection event, or if you want the certainty that your laptop will be handled by the maker rather than a third-party recycler. The tradeoff is that it takes longer than dropping it off in person.

What happens to your laptop after you drop it off

Laptops sent to certified recyclers are taken apart by hand and machine. The aluminum frame, copper wiring, and plastic housing are separated and sold to manufacturers who use them in new products. The circuit boards are processed to recover gold, silver, and other precious metals. Glass from the screen is crushed and used in new glass products or road base.

Toxic materials like lead solder, mercury in older screens, and lithium batteries are handled separately so they do not contaminate soil or water. This is why it matters where your laptop goes—a landfill has no way to contain these materials, but a certified recycler does.

Nonprofits that refurbish laptops replace the hard drive with a fresh one, install a clean operating system, and test all the hardware. Working machines are priced low and sold to individuals or donated to schools and nonprofits. Machines that cannot be repaired are sent to a recycler.

What not to do with an old laptop

Do not throw your laptop in the trash or curbside recycling bin. Curbside programs are not set up to handle electronics safely, and the laptop will likely end up in a landfill anyway. Do not donate it to a thrift store unless it powers on and the screen works—stores like Goodwill cannot sell broken electronics and will have to pay to dispose of them.

Do not leave your laptop on the curb for bulk trash pickup. Electronics left outside are often picked up by people who strip them for parts, and your data could be exposed. Do not mail it to an unknown recycler without checking whether they are certified by the e-Stewards or R2 (Responsible Recycling) program. Uncertified recyclers sometimes send electronics to countries where workers dismantle them by hand without protection, exposing themselves to toxic fumes and heavy metals.

Recycling options if your laptop is broken or very old

If your laptop does not power on, has a cracked screen, or is more than 10 years old, most nonprofits will not take it. Retailers like Best Buy and Staples will still accept it, though you may pay a recycling fee. This is the most straightforward route for a machine that cannot be repaired.

Some communities have specialized electronics recyclers that accept broken laptops for free or a small fee. Search "[your city] electronics recycling" to find local options. Call before you go to confirm they take laptops and ask about fees.

If you have multiple old laptops or other electronics, some recyclers offer bulk pickup for a flat fee. This is worth considering if you have five or more devices, because the per-item cost is usually lower than dropping them off one at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recycle a laptop with a broken screen?

Yes. Best Buy, Staples, and municipal hazardous waste programs all accept laptops with broken screens. Nonprofits usually will not take them because they cannot repair or resell them. If the laptop powers on and the keyboard works, a recycler can still recover the valuable materials inside.

What if my laptop has a removable battery?

Remove the battery before you drop off the laptop. Lithium batteries can catch fire if they are damaged during transport or processing. Most retailers and recyclers will ask you to remove it anyway. You can recycle the battery separately at Best Buy or Staples, or at a hazardous waste collection event.

Do I need to erase my hard drive if I am donating to a nonprofit?

Yes, always wipe your hard drive before you hand over your laptop, even to a nonprofit. Nonprofits that refurbish computers will do it again as part of their process, but you should not rely on that. Wiping it yourself ensures your data is gone before it leaves your hands.

How much does it cost to recycle a laptop?

Municipal hazardous waste collection is free. Best Buy and Staples charge $10 to $25 depending on the laptop's age and condition. Manufacturer programs range from free to $15. Nonprofits do not charge. If cost is your main concern, check your city's collection schedule first—it is always free.

Can I sell my old laptop instead of recycling it?

If your laptop powers on, the screen works, and it is less than seven years old, you can sell it on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist. Wipe the hard drive first using the steps described above. Expect to get $50 to $300 depending on the brand and specs. If the laptop is older or broken, recycling or donating is the better option.