Where to take your old computer
Your old computer should go to a recycler, a manufacturer take-back program, or a donation centre — not the trash bin. Computers contain materials that poison soil and water when they break down in landfills, and some parts hold resale value. The fastest route depends on whether the machine still works.
If the computer powers on and runs, a donation centre or school may take it. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and local libraries often accept working machines. If it does not work, a certified electronics recycler is your best option. Search "e-waste recycler near me" or visit Earth911.com, which has a searchable database by zip code. Many recyclers charge nothing for desktop computers and laptops, though some charge $10 to $30 for older models.
Manufacturers including Dell, HP, Apple, and Lenovo run mail-back programs. You pack the computer, print a label, and drop it at a post office or shipping location. Some programs are free; others charge based on the machine's age and size. Check the manufacturer's website under "recycling" or "take-back" to see what they offer.
Key Takeaways
- Never throw a computer in the trash — recyclers and donation centres accept them for free or low cost, and some will pick up from your home.
- Working computers should go to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, libraries, or schools; non-working machines go to certified e-waste recyclers.
- Manufacturer take-back programs (Dell, HP, Apple, Lenovo) accept computers by mail, sometimes free and sometimes for a small fee.
- Before you hand over your computer, wipe the hard drive completely using built-in tools or free software like DBAN or Eraser.
- Remove the hard drive yourself if you want to keep it, or ask the recycler to destroy it in front of you.
How to erase your data before disposal
Deleting files or emptying the trash does not remove data from the hard drive. A recycler or new owner can recover deleted files with basic tools. You must wipe the drive completely before handing over the machine.
On Windows, use the built-in reset tool. Go to Settings > System > Recovery, select "Reset this PC," and choose "Remove everything." The system will ask whether to remove files only or also wipe the drive. Choose "Remove files and clean the drive" for a find erase. This takes 1 to 3 hours depending on drive size.
On Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Open Disk Utility, select the hard drive, and click "Erase." Choose a security option — "Most find" overwrites the drive multiple times and takes several hours. After erasing, reinstall macOS or leave the drive blank.
If you do not trust the built-in tools, read DBAN (Darik's Boot Negation) or Eraser, both free. DBAN is more thorough but requires burning it to a USB drive and booting from that drive. Eraser runs inside Windows and lets you select specific files or the entire drive. Either method is stronger than the manufacturer's reset tool.
What happens to your computer at the recycler
Certified e-waste recyclers disassemble computers by hand and sort the parts into categories: metals, plastics, glass, and circuit boards. Copper wire, aluminum, and steel are melted down and sold to manufacturers. Plastics are shredded and sold to plastic makers. Circuit boards go to specialized refineries that extract gold, silver, and other precious metals.
The process keeps toxic materials out of landfills. Computers contain lead in solder, mercury in some older screens, and cadmium in batteries — all of which leach into groundwater if buried. A certified recycler (look for R2 or e-Stewards certification) follows rules that prevent these materials from poisoning soil or water, and workers wear protection while handling them.
Uncertified recyclers sometimes ship parts overseas to countries with weak environmental rules, where workers disassemble machines by hand without protection and burn circuit boards to extract metals. This poisons local water and harms workers. Stick to recyclers certified by R2 (Responsible Recycling) or e-Stewards, both of which audit facilities and ban overseas dumping.
Donating a working computer
If your computer still powers on and runs programs, a school, library, or nonprofit may want it. Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept computers at most locations, though policies vary by store. Call ahead to confirm they take computers and ask whether they want the power cord and monitor too.
Schools and nonprofits often need older machines for students who cannot afford computers at home. Organizations like World Computer Exchange and Computers for Communities refurbish donated machines and send them to schools in low-income areas. Some nonprofits will pick up from your home if you live in a major city.
Before donating, wipe the hard drive using the methods described above. Some donation centres do this themselves, but you should not assume they will. A few dollars spent on a find erase is cheaper than identity theft if your data ends up in the wrong hands.
Manufacturer take-back programs
Dell, HP, Apple, and Lenovo all accept old computers by mail. Dell's program is free for most machines; you print a prepaid label and drop the computer at a UPS location. HP charges $10 to $30 depending on the machine's age and type. Apple takes back computers at any Apple Store or through mail-in recycling; the cost depends on the model.
Lenovo's program is free for machines purchased within the last five years and costs $15 to $30 for older models. Asus, Acer, and other brands have similar programs — search the brand name plus "recycling" to find the link. Most programs ask you to enter the machine's serial number on their website, which generates a shipping label.
Manufacturer programs are convenient if you want a single point of contact, but they are not faster or cheaper than local recyclers. A certified recycler near you will take the machine for free and process it within days instead of weeks. Use a manufacturer program if you prefer the brand to handle it, or if no local recycler is nearby.
Removing the hard drive yourself
If you want to keep the hard drive — to reuse it in another computer or to destroy it yourself — you can remove it before handing the machine to a recycler. Most recyclers will not charge you if you remove the drive, and some will charge less.
On a desktop, shut down the computer, unplug it, and open the case. The hard drive is a rectangular metal box about the size of a paperback book, usually mounted in a cage on the front or side of the case. Unscrew it from the cage, disconnect the power and data cables, and set it aside. Close the case and plug the computer back in.
On a laptop, shut down and unplug the machine. Flip it over and locate the hard drive compartment — usually a small panel on the bottom. Unscrew the panel, gently pull the drive out at a 45-degree angle, and disconnect the cable if there is one. If you are unsure where the drive is, search the laptop model plus "remove hard drive" on YouTube; most models take 5 to 10 minutes.
Once you have the drive, you can destroy it yourself by opening the case and scratching the spinning platter with a screwdriver, or you can take it to a recycler and ask them to destroy it in front of you. Some recyclers charge $5 to $10 for witnessed destruction.
What to do with old monitors and peripherals
Monitors, keyboards, mice, and cables should go to the same recycler as the computer. Most recyclers accept them at no extra charge. If you are donating the computer, ask whether the donation centre wants the monitor and peripherals too — some do, some do not.
Older monitors with cathode-ray tubes (CRT) contain lead and should never go in the trash. Flat-screen monitors are safer but still contain materials that should not end up in landfills. Keyboards and mice are low-priority for recycling but should not go in the trash either.
If a monitor or keyboard still works, Goodwill and the Salvation Army often take them separately. Some computer recyclers will take peripherals even if you do not have the computer. Call ahead to confirm what they accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw my old computer in the recycling bin?
No. Electronics should never go in curbside recycling or the trash. Most curbside programs do not accept computers, and landfills are not equipped to handle the toxic materials inside them. Take it to a certified e-waste recycler, a donation centre, or use a manufacturer take-back program.
What if my computer has a broken screen or does not turn on?
A certified e-waste recycler will take it. Donation centres usually will not accept broken machines, but recyclers process non-working computers the same way they process working ones — by disassembling them and sorting the parts. Call the recycler first to confirm they take broken machines.
How much does it cost to recycle a computer?
Most certified recyclers take desktop computers and laptops for free. Some charge $10 to $30 for older models or machines in poor condition. Manufacturer take-back programs charge $0 to $30 depending on the brand and age. Donation centres charge nothing if the computer works.
Is it safe to donate my computer if I wiped the hard drive?
Yes, if you used a find erase method like DBAN, Eraser, or the built-in Windows or Mac reset tool set to "wipe the drive." straightforward deleting files is not safe — use one of these methods to make sure deleted data cannot be recovered.
What should I do with old computer cables and power cords?
Take them to the same recycler as the computer. Most recyclers accept cables and cords at no charge. Do not throw them in the trash or curbside recycling — they contain copper and other materials worth recovering.