Eco-Friendly Tech: Free Recycling Solutions for Your Old Computers and Printers

Do you possess an outdated laptop, desktop or printer that occupies unnecessary space? There are numerous convenient and eco-friendly alternatives for getting rid of them. Some places may even offer you store credit for recycling your old gadgets. 

Disposing of such items can be as straightforward as taking them to major stores like Best Buy, Office Depot, and Staples — and discarding your old devices could actually be illegal, incurring significant fines in certain states, including California.

It’s an essential routine to adopt, too. A UN report released earlier this year noted that individuals globally are disposing of approximately five times more gadgets than are being recycled.

Here’s what you should know regarding the recycling of your outdated tech.

Read more: Reasons Why Our Gadgets Aren’t Sufficiently Recycled and How You Can Assist

Steps to take before recycling your computer

Regardless of where you decide to deliver or mail your items for recycling, it’s crucial to ensure your data is protected by erasing it as thoroughly as possible beforehand. One method to do this is by performing a factory reset on your computer. Our guide will walk you through the procedure.

Stores that recycle computers and printers

Several retail establishments will accept computers and printers for recycling, but this service is not always complimentary. Regulations differ by corporation.

Apple 

You can recycle your outdated Apple computers, monitors, and peripherals like printers for free at an Apple Store, but there is an expensive stipulation. As per the Apple Free Recycling program, in order to avail yourself of this service, you must also acquire a qualifying Apple computer or monitor. Seeking another alternative? A third-party company called Gazelle purchases old MacBooks for recycling purposes. After accepting Gazelle’s offer, you can print a prepaid label or request a prepaid box and send the machine to them.

Read more: Phone and Laptop Repair Is Becoming Mainstream, Thanks to iFixit

Best Buy

Best Buy typically accepts up to three household items per person each day for recycling at no cost, including desktop computers and printers, alongside other items, from e-readers to vacuum cleaners. While three is the limit for most products, there’s a higher allowance for laptops — Best Buy will accept five of these per household daily. Please note that regulations for dropping off monitors vary by state, and this may not always be a complimentary service.

Best Buy also provides a mail-in recycling service for select items, though that is also not without cost. A small box designed to hold up to 6 pounds is priced at $23, while a large box (up to 15 pounds) is priced at $30.

Office Depot and OfficeMax

Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013. These retailers offer a tech trade-in program both in-store and online, allowing customers to potentially receive a store gift card in exchange for their outdated computers and printers. Should the device hold no trade-in value, the company will recycle it at no charge.

Office Depot also sells its own tech recycling boxes that can be filled with electronics for recycling and then dropped off at their locations, but these are not complimentary. The small boxes are priced at $8.39 and can hold up to 20 pounds; the medium boxes cost $18.29 and accommodate up to 40 pounds; and the large boxes are $28 and hold up to 60 pounds.

Staples

You can take your outdated desktop computers, laptops, printers, and more to the Staples checkout area for complimentary recycling, even if they weren’t acquired there. The retailer has also introduced a new free at-home battery recycling box, which, according to a representative, has led customers to recycle thousands of batteries weekly, up from a previous average of 50 batteries per week. Here’s a list of all items eligible for recycling at Staples.

Read more: How to Execute a Factory Reset on a MacBook, Windows Laptop, or Chromebook

How to locate tech recycling centers

If you do not reside near a major retailer or prefer to bring your computers and printers to a recycling facility, you can find nearby locations by utilizing search tools provided by Earth911 and the Consumer Technology Association.

Earth911

Utilize the recycling center search feature on Earth911 to locate recycling facilities near your ZIP code that accept laptops, desktops, and printers. Be aware that the results may also include some facilities accepting mobile phones rather than computers or printers, so you may have to filter through the listings a bit.

CTA’s Greener Gadgets

Consult the Consumer Technology Association’s Greener Gadgets Recycle Locator to find local recycling facilities in your vicinity that will receive old items. The search feature additionally allows you to filter results to specifically search for places that accept computers versus those that accept printers.