Where to take your old computer
Your old computer should not go in the trash. Computers contain materials that harm soil and water when buried in landfills, and some parts hold valuable metals worth recovering. You have several real options depending on whether the machine still works.
If your computer still powers on and runs, a donation center or refurbishment program is usually the fastest route. Goodwill, libraries, schools, and nonprofits often accept working desktops and laptops. Call ahead to confirm they take computers — policies vary by location. If the machine no longer works, a recycling facility that handles electronics is your best choice. Search "e-waste recycling near me" or "computer recycling [your city]" to find certified facilities in your area.
Some manufacturers will take back their own products. Dell, Apple, HP, and Lenovo all run take-back programs, though some charge a fee if you are not buying a replacement. Check the manufacturer's website for instructions. Best Buy also accepts computers at the customer service desk, with a small recycling fee for most items.
Key Takeaways
- Never throw a computer in the regular trash — it contains toxic materials and recoverable metals that belong in a specialized facility.
- Working computers can go to Goodwill, libraries, schools, or nonprofits; call first to confirm they accept electronics.
- Broken computers should go to a certified e-waste recycler, which you can find by searching "e-waste recycling" plus your city name.
- Wipe all personal data from the hard drive before handing over any computer, using built-in tools like Windows Reset or Mac Erase.
- Manufacturer take-back programs (Dell, Apple, HP, Lenovo) and Best Buy are options if you want a single pickup point, though some charge fees.
How to erase your data before disposal
Before you hand your computer to anyone, remove all your personal information. straightforward deleting files or emptying the trash does not actually erase data — the information stays on the hard drive and can be recovered with basic tools. You need to use your computer's built-in reset function.
On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, then System, then Recovery. Click "Reset this PC" and choose "Remove everything." This wipes the drive and reinstalls Windows. The process takes 30 minutes to an hour. On a Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Click Utilities, then Disk Utility, select your hard drive, and click Erase. Then reinstall macOS from the recovery menu. Both methods are free and do not require special software.
If your computer will not start, you have two choices: remove the hard drive yourself (search YouTube for your specific model) and destroy it physically, or take the machine to a recycler and tell them the drive contains sensitive data. Certified recyclers have find data destruction methods. Do not attempt to destroy a hard drive with a hammer or drill — the process is dangerous and can scatter toxic materials.
Donation centers and what they accept
Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local nonprofits accept working computers, but each location has different rules. Some take only laptops, some only desktops, and some take both. Many will not accept monitors, keyboards, or mice separately — they want the complete machine. Call the specific location before you bring anything in.
Schools and libraries sometimes accept donations, especially if the computer is recent enough to run current software. Universities often have surplus equipment programs. Your city or county may also run a donation program — check the municipal website or call the public works department. Community colleges and vocational schools occasionally take older machines for student use or parts.
When you donate, bring the power cable and any original accessories. If you have the original discs or documentation, include those too, though they are not required. Ask for a receipt — you may be able to deduct the donation on your taxes if you itemize.
Finding a certified e-waste recycler
A certified e-waste recycler has met standards set by the R2 (Responsible Recycling) or e-Stewards program. These facilities properly separate materials, recover metals, and dispose of toxic components safely. Uncertified recyclers may ship waste overseas or to landfills, which defeats the purpose.
Search "R2 certified recycler near me" or "e-Stewards recycler near me" to find facilities that meet these standards. You can also visit the R2 website and use their directory. Most recyclers charge a small fee — typically $10 to $30 per computer — though some offer free drop-off if you bring multiple items. A few will pick up from your home for a larger fee if you have many machines.
When you take your computer in, ask what happens to it. A good recycler will tell you they separate the hard drive, remove the battery, recover copper and aluminum, and send hazardous materials (like mercury in old monitors) to proper disposal. They should also offer data destruction as a service if you did not wipe the drive yourself.
What happens to your computer after drop-off
At a recycling facility, your computer is disassembled by hand or machine. The hard drive is removed and either destroyed or wiped, depending on the facility's process. The motherboard, RAM, and other circuit boards are separated from plastic and metal casings. Copper wiring is stripped and recovered. Aluminum and steel are sorted for resale.
Hazardous materials — batteries, capacitors with toxic chemicals, and mercury switches in older machines — are removed and sent to specialized disposal facilities. Plastic casings are shredded and either melted down or sent to plastic recyclers. Glass from monitors is separated because it contains lead. The metals recovered (gold, silver, copper, aluminum) are sold to manufacturers, which offsets some of the recycling cost.
This process takes weeks or months. You will not get a report on what happened to your specific machine, but the facility tracks overall material flows and can tell you what percentage of each computer gets recovered versus disposed of.
Manufacturer take-back programs
Dell, Apple, HP, Lenovo, and other major manufacturers run their own recycling programs. These are convenient if you want a single point of contact, though they may charge a fee.
Dell's program accepts any brand of computer. You can mail in a machine for free if you are buying a new Dell, or pay a recycling fee (usually $10 to $20) if you are not. Apple takes back any Apple product at an Apple Store or through their mail-in program — it is free. HP has a similar mail-in option with fees that vary by device. Lenovo charges a fee for most machines but offers free recycling for some newer models. Check each manufacturer's website for current pricing and instructions.
These programs are useful if you want the convenience of a single pickup or mail-in option, but they are not cheaper than local recyclers. The advantage is that you know the machine goes back to the manufacturer, which has incentive to recover valuable parts. The disadvantage is the fee and the time it takes to ship.
Best Buy's recycling service
Best Buy accepts computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, and cables at any store. You can drop items off at the customer service desk without an appointment. Most items have a recycling fee of $10 to $15 per device, though some items are free depending on current promotions.
Best Buy's program is useful if you have a store nearby and want to dispose of multiple items at once — you can drop off a computer, monitor, and cables in one trip. The fee is higher than some local recyclers, but the convenience may be worth it. Best Buy does not offer data destruction as a separate service, so you should wipe your drive before drop-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw away a computer if I remove the hard drive?
No. Even without the hard drive, a computer contains toxic materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium that belong in a recycling facility, not a landfill. The hard drive itself should never go in the trash — it holds your data and contains recoverable metals. Take the whole machine to a recycler or donation center.
What if my computer has a broken screen or keyboard?
Donation centers usually want the complete machine, so a broken screen may disqualify it. Call ahead to ask. If no one will take it, a recycler will accept it and separate the working parts from the broken ones. Bring the broken keyboard and monitor too — recyclers can handle those as well.
Do I need to remove the battery before recycling?
No. Recyclers are trained to remove and 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 facility handle it. If your laptop will not power on, tell the recycler — they will take extra care with the battery.
How long does it take to recycle a computer?
Drop-off takes 5 to 10 minutes. The actual recycling process at the facility takes weeks or months, depending on how many machines they process. You will not receive updates on your specific computer, but the facility tracks overall recovery rates and can tell you what percentage of material gets reused.
Can I get money for my old computer?
If the computer still works and is recent enough to run current software, you can sell it online through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist. You will need to wipe the hard drive first using the reset methods described above. If the machine is too old or broken to sell, donation or recycling is your only option — neither will pay you, but both are free or low-cost.