You’re probably familar with the term planned obsolescence. The electronics that surround us have an expiration date. Eventually—and probably sooner than you think—they’ll stop working and join the global pile of ewaste.
The amount of ewaste in the world is incalculable, but one thing is for certain: it contributes to climate change and is hazardous to humans. Abandoned electronics crowd landfills and their toxic metals and plastics can leech into soil and water or pollute the air when burned. Getting rid of them, whether it’s because they no longer spark joy or quite literally have started to spark, is a task that needs to be handled properly.
Recycling is often presented as the solution, and while it’s not the complete answer to what to do with ewaste, it is often the best option at our disposal. Toward that end, we’ve assembled this guide to places that will take your old or dead electronics, and either turn them into something useful for someone else or make sure they’re safely recycled.
Best Buy
Nationwide electronics retailer Best Buy has, arguably, the best recycling program going. Its website details exactly what the store will take, and a drop-down menu in each category gets specific for your state. You can bring in up to three items per day. Most of them can be recycled for free. Some items might make you eligible for a discount, or get you a trade-in deal on something else. There’s also a $29.99 haul-away service for large appliances or TVs if you’re purchasing a replacement at Best Buy. It’s $99.99 if you’re not buying anything.
Staples
When you’re picking up printer paper at Staples, you can drop off lots of electronic items for recycling. The office supplies seller has a free electronics recycling program that covers a large list of categories. You can bring in up to seven items per store per day. Businesses can use Staples’ recycling program for their old tech, ink and toner cartridges, and even those K-cups that their coffee machines spit out.
Apple Trade In
Your old Apple devices can go back from whence they came. If your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac is in working order, you may receive an Apple gift card for it. And if it’s broken, you can still recycle it for free. The Apple Trade In program isn’t just for Apple devices. You can get a prepaid shipping label sent to you so you can mail in Android devices, printers, and more.
Amazon Recycling Program
Alexa devices, Kindles, and any other Amazon-branded electronics you have can be recycled for free through a third-party recycling program that partnered with Amazon. You fill out a form about your device, and you’ll receive a UPS shipping label.
Call2Recycle
Call2Recycle focuses on batteries and cell phones and directs people to local recycling drop-off partners, including places like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Earth911
Earth911 is a nationwide clearinghouse for recycling programs of all kinds. The electronics category is an A-to-Z (well, A-to-V for vinyl records) guide of drop-off and mail-in programs that you can search by ZIP code.
