Where to take your old computer
Do not put a computer in the trash. Computers contain materials that damage soil and water — lead, mercury, and cadmium — so most places have laws against it. Your options depend on whether the machine still works and what you want to happen to it next.
If the computer still powers on and runs, a donation centre or refurbishment program is usually the fastest route. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and local libraries often take working desktops and laptops. Call ahead to confirm they accept computers and ask whether they want the power cable and monitor too — policies vary by location.
If the computer is broken or too old to donate, a certified e-waste recycler is your best option. These facilities disassemble machines and separate materials for reuse: copper from wiring, glass from screens, plastic from cases. Search "e-waste recycling near me" or visit Earth911.com, which has a searchable database by zip code. Many recyclers charge a small fee — typically $10 to $30 — though some accept machines free if you drop them off yourself rather than requesting pickup.
Manufacturer take-back programs are another route. Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Apple all run programs where you can mail old machines back or drop them at a retail location. Some are free; others charge based on the machine's age and condition. Check the manufacturer's website under "recycling" or "trade-in" to see what applies to your model.
Key Takeaways
- Computers contain toxic materials and cannot legally go in household trash in most places.
- Working computers can go to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, libraries, or schools, which refurbish and resell them.
- Broken computers should go to a certified e-waste recycler, which you can find through Earth911.com or a local search.
- Manufacturer take-back programs through Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Apple offer mail-in or in-store drop-off options.
- Remove your hard drive or wipe the drive completely before giving away or recycling any computer.
How to erase your data before disposal
Before you hand over a computer — whether to a donation centre, recycler, or manufacturer — remove or wipe the hard drive. straightforward deleting files does not erase them; recovery software can still pull data back from the drive. If the machine still works, use built-in tools to wipe it completely.
On Windows, go to Settings > System > Recovery and choose "Reset this PC." Select "Remove everything" and let the process run to completion — this overwrites the drive with random data, making recovery nearly impossible. On Mac, restart in Recovery Mode (Command + R), open Disk Utility, select your drive, and click "Erase." Both methods take 30 minutes to several hours depending on drive size.
If the computer does not start or you are unsure whether the wipe worked, physically remove the hard drive before recycling. Most laptops and desktops have a removable drive — YouTube has model-specific videos showing how. Once removed, you can destroy the drive with a hammer or drill, or take it to a recycler separately. Many recyclers will destroy drives on-site if you ask.
For maximum security, use third-party software like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke), which is free and overwrites the entire drive multiple times. read it to a USB stick on another computer, boot from that stick on the machine you are wiping, and let it run. This method works even on machines that no longer boot normally.
What happens at an e-waste recycling facility
When you drop a computer at a certified recycler, workers sort it into categories: desktops, laptops, monitors, and peripherals. Each type goes through a different process because the materials inside differ.
Desktops and laptops are first manually disassembled. Workers remove the hard drive (which you may have already done), battery, RAM, and other components. Hard drives are shredded or degaussed to destroy any remaining data. The remaining chassis goes into a shredder that breaks it into fist-sized pieces.
Those pieces then go through a series of separators: magnets pull out iron and steel, eddy currents separate aluminium, and air streams blow away plastic. What is left — copper, gold, and other precious metals — is sold to smelters and refineries. A single computer contains roughly $1 worth of recoverable metals, which is why recyclers can afford to take machines for free or cheap.
Monitors and screens are handled separately because they contain glass with lead. That glass is either reused in new CRT monitors (rare now) or sent to a lead smelter. LCD screens go to a different facility because they contain different materials. This is why some recyclers charge more for monitors — the process costs more and the recovered value is lower.
Donation centres and what they do with machines
If your computer works, a donation centre will test it, wipe the drive, and either refurbish it for resale or send it to a school or nonprofit. Goodwill and the Salvation Army run refurbishment programs in most cities. They replace broken keys, install fresh operating systems, and price machines between $50 and $200 depending on age and specs.
Some nonprofits focus specifically on computers. Refurbished Computer Recycling (RCR) and World Computer Exchange take donations and send machines to schools and nonprofits in the US and overseas. These organisations often accept machines that are older or slower than what Goodwill wants, so they are worth calling if a mainstream donation centre turns you down.
Schools and libraries sometimes take computers directly. Call your local school district or public library and ask whether they accept donations. Some have formal programs; others take machines on a case-by-case basis. This route is fastest if you live near the school and the machine is in decent condition.
Manufacturer and retailer take-back programs
Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and Asus all run take-back programs. Dell's program is free for most machines — you print a label, pack the computer, and ship it. HP charges a fee based on the machine's weight and age; their website calculator shows the cost before you commit. Lenovo offers free mail-in recycling for most models. Apple takes old Macs at any Apple Store or through their mail-in program.
Best Buy also accepts computers at the register — most items are free, though large items like monitors may have a small fee. Staples takes computers, printers, and peripherals for free. Both chains will wipe the drive if you ask, though you should not rely on it; do the wipe yourself first.
To start a manufacturer program, visit the company's website and search for "recycling" or "trade-in." You will find a form or phone number. Have your computer's model number ready — it is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom. The program will tell you whether the machine qualifies, what the cost is (if any), and how to ship it or where to drop it off.
Cost and timing for each method
Donation is free and the fastest option if the machine works. Drop-off at Goodwill or a library takes 10 minutes. Mailing to a manufacturer program takes 1 to 2 weeks end-to-end, plus any shipping cost (usually $0 to $30).
E-waste recycling costs $10 to $30 per machine at most facilities, though some offer free drop-off. Pickup service costs more — typically $50 to $100 — so drop-off is cheaper if you can transport it yourself. The process takes 1 to 2 weeks from drop-off to completion, though you do not need to wait for it.
Manufacturer programs vary widely. Dell is free. HP charges $10 to $40 depending on the machine. Apple is free for Macs. Lenovo is free. Best Buy and Staples are free for most items. Check the specific program before you commit.
If you need the machine gone when ready, donation is fastest. If cost matters most, donation is free and manufacturer programs are often free. If you want to be certain the machine is recycled responsibly, a certified e-waste recycler is the most transparent option, though it costs money.
What not to do with an old computer
Do not put it in the trash or curbside recycling. Trash goes to a landfill where the toxic materials leach into soil and groundwater. Curbside recycling programs are designed for paper, plastic, and metal — not electronics. Computers jam the sorting equipment and contaminate batches of recyclable material.
Do not leave it on the curb for bulk pickup unless your city specifically says electronics are accepted. Most do not. Do not sell it to an unknown buyer online without wiping the drive first — even if you think you deleted everything, a buyer with the right tools can recover your files, photos, and passwords.
Do not donate it to a thrift store if it does not work. Thrift stores do not have the equipment to test or refurbish electronics, so a broken machine will end up in a dumpster behind the store. Call ahead and ask whether they accept computers before you drop one off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw a computer in the trash?
No. Computers contain lead, mercury, and cadmium, which are toxic. Most states and many cities have laws against throwing electronics in the trash. Violating the law can result in a fine. Landfills are not designed to contain these materials, so they leach into groundwater.
What if my computer does not turn on?
Take it to a certified e-waste recycler. They have the equipment to safely disassemble broken machines and recover materials. If you are worried about data on the hard drive, remove the drive yourself before recycling — most recyclers will destroy it on-site if you ask. You can also mail it to a manufacturer program; most accept broken machines.
Do I have to wipe the hard drive myself?
You should. Donation centres and recyclers will wipe drives, but you cannot be certain they did it correctly. If the machine contains sensitive files, photos, or passwords, wipe it yourself using Windows Reset or Mac Erase before handing it over. If you are unsure whether the wipe worked, remove the hard drive and destroy it separately.
How long does it take to recycle a computer?
Drop-off at a local recycler takes 10 minutes on your end. The facility's process takes 1 to 2 weeks, though you do not need to wait. Mailing to a manufacturer program takes 1 to 2 weeks total. Donation to a thrift store is when ready — they take it off your hands when ready.
Will I get money for my old computer?
Not through donation or recycling programs. Those are free or low-cost. If the computer is recent and in good condition, you can sell it on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Craigslist, but you will need to wipe the drive first and handle shipping or local pickup yourself. Manufacturer trade-in programs sometimes offer credit toward a new purchase, but not cash.