Recycling an old computer, phone, or TV isn’t complicated once you know the basics, but a few details trip people up, like what to do with the battery or how to wipe personal data first. This guide walks through the process for common devices so you can recycle electronics correctly instead of guessing.
Three details to start. We reply with the nearest options for your items and your state.
Recycling electronics generally follows the same core steps, whatever device you’re dealing with:
Back up and wipe your data, if the device stores personal information.
Remove or prepare the battery according to the recycler’s instructions.
Choose a recycling method, such as a local drop-off, retailer take-back, mail-in program, or municipal collection event.
Check what’s accepted and any fees before you go, since not every location takes every device.
Drop off or ship the device following the specific program’s packaging or handling instructions.
The details change depending on the device, which is why it helps to look at your specific type of electronics below rather than assuming one process fits everything.
These are the five items people ask about most. Find yours and follow that one rather than assuming the same process fits everything.
Start by backing up anything you want to keep, then sign out of your accounts and perform a full factory reset or secure erase using the operating system’s built-in tools, rather than just deleting files. For laptops, check whether the recycler wants the battery removed or left installed, since laptop batteries are usually lithium-ion and require specific handling. Once the device is wiped, most electronics recyclers, some retailers, and certain municipal programs will accept computers and laptops, though servers and older desktop towers sometimes come with different rules or fees.
Back up your data, sign out of accounts like your cloud storage and app store, and factory reset the device from its settings menu. Many phone manufacturers and carriers run their own take-back or trade-in programs, which are often the simplest option since phones are small and inexpensive to process. If the device still works, some programs also offer a small credit rather than treating it purely as recycling.
TVs and monitors don’t hold personal data the way a computer or phone does, so preparation is simpler, but disposal is often more restricted. Standard curbside recycling usually won’t take these, and many programs charge a fee for TVs, especially older CRT models, due to the materials involved. Check with a local electronics recycler or a scheduled municipal collection event before assuming a location will accept a television.
Remove any ink or toner cartridges first, since these are sometimes recycled through a separate program from the printer itself. Many electronics recyclers accept printers, though acceptance and any fees can vary depending on the printer’s size and the brand.
Sign out of any linked accounts and, if the console has a hard drive, consider wiping stored data first. Game consoles are generally accepted by electronics recyclers, and some retailers offer trade-in programs if the console still functions.
Many devices, from laptops to remotes, contain batteries that need separate consideration. Some batteries are removable and can be recycled on their own, while others are built into the device and aren’t meant to be taken out by the user. Lithium-ion batteries require particular care, since a damaged cell can pose a fire risk, and battery acceptance policies differ between recycling programs.
Don’t attempt to remove or handle it yourself. Contact a hazardous waste facility or a battery-specific recycling program for guidance instead of trying to work around the problem on your own.
These can be recycled on their own, separately from the device, usually at a battery collection point.
Sealed into the device and not meant to be taken out by the user. Tell the recycler the battery is still inside.
These require particular care, since a damaged cell can pose a fire risk.
Battery acceptance policies differ between recycling programs, so confirm what the one you are using will take.
Any device that stores personal information, including computers, phones, tablets, and some printers or game consoles, should be wiped before recycling. The general steps are to back up what you want to keep, sign out of accounts, and use the device’s built-in factory reset or secure erase function rather than just deleting files, since deleted files can sometimes still be recovered.
Copy off anything you want to keep, then sign out of the accounts tied to the device so it isn’t handed over locked to you.
Use the device’s built-in factory reset or secure erase function rather than just deleting files, since deleted files can sometimes still be recovered.
There isn’t one single correct way to recycle electronics. The right method depends on the device and what’s available to you:
Typically accepts the widest range of devices and is a good default for larger or mixed items.
Often free and convenient for phones, tablets, and small electronics.
Works well for small, lightweight devices like phones, though shipping restrictions apply to items with batteries.
Useful for TVs and larger electronics, though they may only run on a scheduled basis rather than year-round.
Match the method to the device rather than assuming the same option works for everything you’re recycling.
Five things that turn a simple drop-off into a wasted trip, a refused item, or a genuine hazard.
Offices retiring computers, phones, or networking equipment in bulk generally need a different approach than a single household device. Look for a recycler that explicitly serves business or commercial customers, since many programs cap how much a single visitor can bring in. If your business needs certified data destruction or documentation for compliance, confirm directly with the recycler whether they offer that service.
If it has a plug, a battery or a screen, it does not belong in a household bin. Everything else is detail — and the detail is what this page is for.
Often, yes, for phones, small electronics, and computers through retailer or manufacturer take-back programs. TVs, monitors, and bulk items sometimes carry a fee depending on the facility.
In most areas, no, especially for devices containing batteries or hazardous materials. Rules vary by state and local waste authority, so check before assuming it’s allowed.
It depends on the device and the recycler’s policy. Some want batteries removed and handled separately, while others accept the device with the battery installed. Check the specific program’s instructions.
No. You need to back up and wipe your own data before recycling, since not every recycler offers certified data destruction.
Trade-in programs are typically for devices that still work and have some resale value, often in exchange for store credit. Recycling is for devices you’re disposing of regardless of condition.
Back up and wipe your data, check your device’s battery handling requirements, and choose the recycling method that fits what you’re getting rid of.
A plain-English guide to recycling electronics: the five steps that apply to every device, what to do with your data and batteries, and how to choose between drop-off, take-back, mail-in and collection events.