Where to take old computers instead of the trash
Old computers belong at an electronics recycler, a manufacturer take-back program, or a donation center — not in your regular garbage. Throwing a computer in the trash is illegal in most U.S. states because the circuit boards, batteries, and screens contain materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium that contaminate soil and water when they break down in landfills.
Your fastest option depends on whether the computer still works. If it powers on and the operating system loads, a donation center or school may take it. If it does not work or is too old to be useful, a certified electronics recycler will accept it for free or a small fee, depending on what it is and where you live.
Start by checking what you have: a desktop tower, a laptop, a monitor, or all three. Recyclers handle each differently, and some charge for monitors or large items while accepting computers free. A quick phone call to your local recycler saves a trip with the wrong equipment.
Key Takeaways
- Computers contain toxic materials and are illegal to throw away in most states; recyclers, donation centers, and manufacturer programs are the legal routes.
- Working computers can go to schools, libraries, nonprofits, or Goodwill; non-working ones go to certified e-waste recyclers.
- Wipe your hard drive completely before donating or recycling to prevent personal data theft, using built-in tools like Windows Reset or Mac Erase.
- Manufacturer take-back programs (Dell, HP, Apple, Lenovo) often ship prepaid labels and accept computers free or for a small fee.
- Local recyclers vary by region; search "e-waste recycler near me" or call your city's solid waste department to find certified facilities.
Donating working computers to schools and nonprofits
If your computer turns on, loads the operating system, and runs basic programs without crashing, a school, library, or nonprofit may want it. Schools often distribute older machines to students who lack home computers. Nonprofits like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and local community centers refurbish and resell them at low prices.
Before you contact anyone, back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage, then wipe the hard drive completely. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Recovery and choose "Reset this PC" with the option to remove everything. On Mac, restart in Recovery Mode (Command + R), open Disk Utility, select your drive, and click Erase. This step is not optional — a wiped drive protects your personal data from anyone who receives the computer later.
Call ahead before dropping off a donation. Schools often have specific needs (certain processor speed, amount of RAM, operating system version) and may not accept machines older than five years. Goodwill and Salvation Army locations accept most working computers, but hours and drop-off policies vary by store. Some nonprofits offer free pickup for multiple machines.
Using manufacturer take-back programs
Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and other major manufacturers run their own recycling programs. These programs accept computers, monitors, keyboards, and cables — even if they are broken or from a different brand. Most ship you a prepaid label; you pack the machine, drop it at a shipping location, and the manufacturer handles recycling at no cost to you.
Visit the manufacturer's website and search for "recycling" or "take-back program." Dell's program is at dell.com/en-us/corporate/responsibility/dell-take-back-program. HP's is at hp.com/us/en/hp-take-back-program. Apple's is at apple.com/environment/trade-in. Each site lets you enter your machine's model and condition, then generates a shipping label. Some programs charge a small fee (usually $10 to $30) if the computer contains hazardous materials or is very large, but most are free.
Wipe your hard drive before shipping, just as you would before donating. The manufacturer will not access your data, but the habit protects you if the label gets lost or the machine is rerouted. Pack the computer securely in a box with padding to prevent damage in transit.
Finding certified e-waste recyclers near you
A certified e-waste recycler has met standards set by the EPA or a third-party certifier like R2 (Responsible Recycling) or e-Stewards. These facilities properly separate materials, recover valuable metals, and dispose of hazardous substances safely. Uncertified recyclers may export computers to countries with weak environmental laws, where workers dismantle them by hand without protection.
Search "certified e-waste recycler near me" or "electronics recycling [your city]" to find local options. Call your city or county solid waste department — they maintain lists of approved facilities and can tell you which ones accept computers free and which charge. Some recyclers charge $10 to $30 per monitor or large item but accept the computer tower free. Others charge a flat fee per machine.
Ask the recycler three questions before you go: Do you accept computers and monitors? Is there a fee, and if so, how much? Do I need to make an appointment, or can I drop off during business hours? Some facilities require an appointment if you have more than a few machines. Many accept drop-offs during posted hours without advance notice.
Wipe your hard drive before dropping off at a recycler, even though they are trained to handle data destruction. If the drive is damaged and cannot be wiped, ask the recycler whether they can physically destroy it on-site or certify that it will be destroyed before any other processing happens.
Preparing your computer for removal or recycling
Before your computer leaves your hands, remove all personal data. A factory reset or full drive wipe removes files, passwords, and browsing history. On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to System > Recovery, and click "Reset this PC." Choose "Remove everything" and select "Remove files and clean the drive" for maximum security. This process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on drive size.
On a Mac, restart and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Open Disk Utility, select your hard drive, click Erase, and choose a format (APFS for newer Macs, Mac OS Extended for older ones). Confirm the erase. This also takes 30 minutes to two hours.
If your computer does not start, you cannot wipe the drive yourself. Tell the recycler or donation center that the drive was not wiped. A certified recycler will physically destroy the drive or use specialized software to wipe it. A donation center may refuse the machine if it cannot be wiped, or they may have their own data destruction process.
Remove any external drives, USB sticks, memory cards, or other storage devices before handing over the computer. These do not belong with the machine and may contain sensitive files. Keep them and wipe them separately or destroy them yourself.
What happens to your computer after recycling
At a certified recycler, your computer is sorted by type (desktop, laptop, monitor) and disassembled. Workers or machines separate the plastic case, circuit boards, hard drive, power supply, and other components. Valuable materials like copper, gold, and aluminum are recovered and sold to manufacturers. Hazardous materials like lead solder, mercury in older screens, and lithium batteries are isolated and sent to specialized facilities for safe disposal.
The hard drive is either shredded or wiped a second time using industrial-grade software. Plastics are sorted by type and sold to plastic manufacturers. Glass from monitors is recycled into new glass products or used as aggregate in road construction. Very little of your computer ends up in a landfill if it goes to a certified facility.
If your computer is donated and refurbished, it may be sold at a thrift store, given to a student, or exported to a developing country where it will be used as a regular machine. Refurbished computers typically have the operating system reinstalled and are tested for basic function before resale.
Handling computers with broken screens or damaged parts
A computer with a cracked screen, broken keyboard, or damaged ports can still be recycled. Do not try to repair it yourself unless you have experience — opening a laptop or desktop can expose you to sharp edges and electrical components. A recycler will handle the disassembly safely.
Broken computers are not suitable for donation because they cannot be used as-is. A nonprofit or school may refuse them because refurbishment would cost more than the machine is worth. Call your local recycler and describe the damage. Most will accept broken machines free or for a small fee. Some recyclers specialize in broken or obsolete equipment and may even pay you a few dollars if the machine contains valuable materials like gold or copper.
If the computer has a battery (laptops, all-in-ones, some desktops with backup batteries), mention this when you call. Lithium batteries are hazardous and require special handling. A certified recycler knows how to remove and dispose of them safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw a computer in the trash if it is really old?
No. Computers are illegal to throw away in most U.S. states regardless of age. The materials inside — lead, mercury, cadmium — are toxic whether the machine is 20 years old or brand new. Recyclers accept old computers free or for a small fee, and donation centers may take working ones even if they are outdated.
What if I do not know my computer's brand or model?
Look on the back or bottom of the machine for a label with the manufacturer name and model number. If you cannot find it, a recycler or donation center can identify it by sight. You do not need the model number to drop off a machine at a local recycler — just show up during business hours with the computer.
Do I have to wipe my hard drive if I am donating to a nonprofit?
Yes. Wiping the drive is your responsibility, not theirs. A nonprofit may not have the tools or time to wipe every machine that comes in, and your personal files could be recovered by someone with basic computer skills. Spend 30 minutes to wipe it yourself before you donate.
Will a recycler charge me to take a monitor?
It depends on the recycler and the monitor type. CRT monitors (the heavy, boxy kind) often cost $10 to $30 to recycle because they contain lead glass. Flat-screen LCD monitors are usually free or cost $5 to $10. Call ahead and ask about the specific monitor you have.
Can I sell an old computer instead of recycling it?
Yes, if it works. eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist let you list used computers. You can also sell to a refurbisher like Gazelle or Back Market, though they typically pay $20 to $200 depending on age and condition. Wipe the hard drive before selling, just as you would before donating.