Your local waste authority or recycling program is the fastest place to start

Most cities and counties run electronics recycling programs that take computers, monitors, keyboards, and cables at no cost. Call your city or county waste management department, or search "[your city] electronics recycling" to find the nearest drop-off location and their hours. Some programs pick up from your home if you have multiple devices or a large monitor.

If your area does not have a municipal program, big-box retailers often accept old computers. Best Buy takes computers, laptops, and monitors at the customer service desk — some items free, some with a small fee depending on size. Staples accepts computers and peripherals at most locations. Call ahead to confirm what they take and whether there is a charge.

The reason to use these routes first: they are designed to separate valuable materials (copper, aluminum, gold) from hazardous ones (lead in old monitors, mercury in some screens). Throwing a computer in the trash sends those materials to a landfill where they leach into soil and groundwater.

Key Takeaways

  • Your city or county waste department runs free electronics recycling programs in most areas — call them or search online to find your nearest drop-off location.
  • Best Buy and Staples accept computers and monitors at customer service, though some items may have a small fee.
  • If your computer still works, donation to schools, libraries, nonprofits, or community centers keeps it in use and avoids disposal entirely.
  • Manufacturer take-back programs exist for most brands — Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Apple all have mail-in or drop-off options, sometimes free.
  • Never throw a computer in household trash or curbside recycling, as it contaminates the recycling stream and releases toxic materials.

Donation if the computer still works

If your computer powers on and runs, donating it keeps it out of the waste stream entirely. Schools, libraries, and community centers often need working computers for public use or to lend to students. Call your local school district or public library first — they usually have a process for accepting donations and may even pick up.

Nonprofits that refurbish computers for low-income families exist in most regions. Search "[your city] computer donation nonprofit" or contact your local United Way chapter, which can refer you. Some organizations like World Computer Exchange or Computers for Communities accept mail-in donations if you have no local option.

If you want to donate online, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you post the computer for free pickup. Be clear about what works and what does not — a monitor with a cracked screen or a laptop that needs a new battery is still useful to someone, but they need to know upfront.

Manufacturer take-back programs

Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and most other computer makers run their own recycling programs. Visit the manufacturer's website and search for "recycling" or "take-back program." Most offer mail-in options — you pack the computer, print a prepaid shipping label, and drop it at a UPS or FedEx location. Some programs are free; others charge a small fee depending on the device size and weight.

Manufacturer programs are useful if you have an older or broken computer that retailers will not take, or if you prefer to recycle through the brand that made it. They often refurbish working devices or recover parts and materials in-house rather than sending them to a third party.

What happens to your computer after drop-off

At a recycling facility, your computer is disassembled by hand or machine. The circuit board, hard drive, and other components are separated from the plastic case and metal frame. Valuable metals are extracted and sold to manufacturers. Plastics are ground and sold to plastic producers. Hazardous materials like lead and mercury are isolated and disposed of safely.

The hard drive is the one part you should worry about before drop-off. Even if you delete files, data recovery software can retrieve them. Before you recycle, wipe the drive using free tools like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) on Windows or Erase Free Space on Mac. If the drive is broken and you cannot boot the computer, physically destroy it with a drill or hammer, or ask the recycling facility whether they handle find data destruction.

Curbside recycling and what not to do

Do not put a computer in your curbside recycling bin. Electronics jam the sorting machinery at recycling plants, damage the equipment, and contaminate batches of plastic and metal that would otherwise be clean. Most facilities have rules against it, and you may be charged a fee if a computer is found in your bin.

Do not throw a computer in the trash. Landfills are not designed to contain the lead, mercury, and cadmium in old electronics. Rain and groundwater carry these toxins into soil and drinking water supplies. Some states and cities have laws against it — you could face a fine.

Do not leave a computer on the curb for bulk trash pickup unless your city explicitly says electronics are accepted. Call your waste department to ask whether they take computers on bulk day, or use one of the methods above instead.

What to do if you cannot find a local option

If your city has no municipal program and retailers nearby do not take computers, mail-in recycling services exist. Companies like GreenCitizen, ERI, and Gazelle accept computers by mail — you pay for shipping or a small recycling fee, and they handle the rest. Search "mail-in computer recycling" to compare options and costs in your area.

Some services, like Gazelle and Decluttr, will even pay you a small amount if your computer is in working condition and recent enough. They refurbish and resell working devices, so the payout is usually modest — five to fifty dollars depending on the model and age — but it offsets the shipping cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recycle a computer with a broken screen?

Yes. A broken screen does not prevent recycling — the facility will separate the glass and plastic from the metal and circuit board. If the computer still powers on otherwise, you can also donate it; many people can repair a screen or use an external monitor.

Do I need to remove the hard drive before recycling?

No, but you should wipe it first if it contains personal data. Most recycling facilities do not may provide data destruction unless you pay extra for it. Use free software like DBAN to erase the drive, or physically destroy it before drop-off if the computer will not boot.

Will I get paid to recycle an old computer?

Municipal and retailer programs do not pay. Some mail-in services and refurbishment companies will pay a small amount if the computer is working and recent — usually five to fifty dollars. Check Gazelle, Decluttr, or local refurbishment nonprofits to see what your model is worth.

What if the computer is too old to donate or sell?

Recycling is the right choice. Even very old computers contain valuable metals and materials worth recovering. A facility will disassemble it and separate the parts, even if no one wants to use the computer itself anymore.

Can I recycle a laptop the same way as a desktop?

Yes. Laptops go through the same recycling process as desktops — disassembly, material separation, and recovery. The battery should ideally be removed first if possible, but most facilities can handle a laptop with the battery still inside. If the battery is swollen or damaged, let the facility know when you drop it off.