How to Dispose of Old Electronics & E-Waste
Electronics contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and lithium — which is why throwing them in the trash is illegal in 25+ states and harmful everywhere. Here's how to recycle them for free, get trade-in credit, and handle large-volume cleanouts the right way.
⚠️ Why Electronics Can't Go in the Trash
Consumer electronics contain a cocktail of hazardous substances regulated by the EPA: lead (used in older CRT displays), mercury (in fluorescent backlights), cadmium (in rechargeable batteries), and lithium (in modern batteries). When these materials reach a landfill, they can leach into soil and groundwater. More than 25 states have passed e-waste disposal laws making it illegal to place electronics in regular trash or landfills.
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Free Retailer Drop-Off Programs | Free (some TV fees) |
| Manufacturer Take-Back Programs | Free (often with mail-in label) |
| Municipal E-Waste Events & HHW Facilities | Free for residents |
| Certified E-Waste Recyclers (R2 / e-Stewards) | Free–$30+ depending on device |
| Dumpster Rental (Large Cleanouts Only) | $275–$500 (roll-off) + separate e-waste disposal |
All 5 Options In Detail
1. Free Retailer Drop-Off Programs
Best for: Households with 1–5 devices
Major electronics retailers operate free e-waste recycling programs that are accessible, convenient, and require no appointment. Best Buy is the largest program — accepting up to 3 items per household per day at every store location nationwide. Staples accepts computers, monitors, and small devices. Apple Stores accept all Apple products and offer trade-in credit for devices with remaining value.
Pros
- + Free for most devices
- + No appointment needed
- + Available nationwide
- + Data destruction available on-site at some locations
Cons
- − 3-item daily limit at Best Buy
- − TV size restrictions (Best Buy charges for >32")
- − Must transport devices yourself
- − Limited device categories at some retailers
Where to go: Best Buy (all stores) · Staples · Apple Store · Office Depot / OfficeMax
2. Manufacturer Take-Back Programs
Best for: Brand-specific devices, especially with residual value
Major manufacturers run their own recycling and trade-in programs. Dell Reconnect (partnered with Goodwill) accepts any brand of computer equipment at Goodwill locations. HP Planet Partners offers free mail-in recycling for HP products. Samsung provides a recycling and trade-in program for Galaxy devices and TVs. Apple Trade In can give you credit toward a new device — even if your device has no value, Apple recycles it free.
Pros
- + Free mail-in options
- + Trade-in credit for devices with value
- + Covers older devices of any age
- + Certified responsible recycling
Cons
- − Dell Reconnect only at Goodwill locations
- − Mail-in takes time
- − Trade-in values fluctuate
- − Brand-specific programs have narrow scope
Where to go: Dell Reconnect · HP Planet Partners · Samsung Recycling · Apple Trade In
3. Municipal E-Waste Events & HHW Facilities
Best for: Large or unusual devices, batteries, CRT monitors
Most counties and cities host e-waste collection events at least once or twice per year, and many have permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities with regular drop-off hours. These accept virtually anything — old CRT TVs, VCRs, large monitors, industrial equipment, and items retailers won't take. Use Earth911.com to find the nearest permanent facility or upcoming event. Search by zip code and device type.
Pros
- + Free for residents
- + Accepts items retailers refuse
- + No quantity limits at most events
- + Properly handles hazardous materials
Cons
- − Events are infrequent (often 1–2x/year)
- − HHW facilities may have limited hours
- − May have long wait times at events
- − Need to transport everything yourself
Where to go: Earth911.com · Your county HHW facility · Call2Recycle (batteries) · EPA e-Stewards network
4. Certified E-Waste Recyclers (R2 / e-Stewards)
Best for: Businesses, large quantities, data-sensitive devices
For businesses or anyone handling large quantities of electronics, use a certified recycler carrying R2 (Responsible Recycling) or e-Stewards certification. These certifications verify the recycler meets EPA standards for responsible processing — no illegal export to developing countries, proper data destruction, and documented chain of custody. For businesses disposing of IT assets, many offer Certificate of Destruction for data compliance purposes.
Pros
- + Certified responsible handling
- + Certificate of Destruction for compliance
- + Handles large volumes
- + Business pickup available
Cons
- − May charge fees for some devices
- − Less convenient than retailer drop-off
- − Fewer locations than major retailers
- − Research required to find certified providers
Where to go: R2-certified recyclers · e-Stewards certified recyclers · Earth911.com directory · EPA eCycler database
5. Dumpster Rental (Large Cleanouts Only)
Best for: Office cleanouts or estate sales with 20+ mixed items
For large office cleanouts, estate sales, or situations involving dozens of devices mixed with furniture, filing cabinets, and general debris, a dumpster rental handles the non-electronic waste efficiently. Electronics must still be separated and disposed of through proper e-waste channels — but pairing a 10 or 20-yard dumpster for the bulk debris with a scheduled e-waste pickup service for the electronics is the most cost-effective approach at scale. Never put electronics in the dumpster itself.
Pros
- + Best for large mixed-debris cleanouts
- + Work at your own pace over 7–14 days
- + Handles all non-electronic debris in one container
- + Most cost-effective for high-volume projects
Cons
- − Electronics must still be separated for proper recycling
- − Requires additional coordination for e-waste pickup
- − Not cost-effective for electronics-only disposal
- − Needs driveway space for container
Best Buy vs. Staples vs. Apple: Program Comparison
| Retailer | Accepts |
|---|---|
| Best Buy | Most consumer electronics |
| Staples | Computers, monitors, small devices |
| Apple Store | Apple products only |
| Office Depot | Ink cartridges, small electronics |
What NOT to Do with Old Electronics
Best Disposal Option by Device Type
| Device | Best Free Option |
|---|---|
| Smartphone / iPhone | Apple Trade In or Best Buy |
| Laptop / MacBook | Best Buy or Dell Reconnect |
| Desktop computer | Best Buy or Dell Reconnect |
| TV (≤32") | Best Buy (free) |
| TV (>32") | Best Buy ($29.99) or HHW event |
| Printer / Scanner | Best Buy or Staples |
| Game console | Best Buy or GameStop trade-in |
| Rechargeable batteries | Call2Recycle drop-off |
How to Wipe Your Data Before Recycling
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to throw electronics in the trash?
Yes — in more than 25 states, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in regular trash or landfills. States with e-waste bans include California, New York, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, and many others. Penalties vary but can include fines for residents and businesses. Even in states without explicit bans, the EPA strongly discourages landfill disposal of electronics because they contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and lithium — all of which can leach into groundwater.
Does Best Buy charge for electronics recycling?
Best Buy accepts most consumer electronics for free recycling (up to 3 items per household per day). TVs 32 inches and under are free to recycle. TVs larger than 32 inches cost $29.99 to recycle at Best Buy. Computers, laptops, tablets, phones, and most small devices are accepted for free. Some specialty items like appliances or items requiring special handling may have fees. The Best Buy Haul Away service (for large items with a new delivery) is a separate paid service.
What electronics does Best Buy accept?
Best Buy accepts a wide range of electronics including: TVs and monitors, computers and laptops, tablets and e-readers, smartphones and cell phones, digital cameras, printers and scanners, video game consoles and accessories, DVD and Blu-ray players, audio equipment, cables and cords, ink cartridges, and rechargeable batteries. Items must be brought to the store's customer service or dedicated recycling station. Best Buy does not accept appliances like refrigerators or washing machines at the recycling drop-off (those go through their haul-away program with delivery).
How do I wipe my data before recycling?
Before recycling any device, always wipe your personal data. For smartphones: perform a factory reset through your settings menu (Settings > General > Reset on iPhone; Settings > System > Reset on Android). For laptops/computers: on Windows, use Settings > Recovery > Reset this PC and choose "Remove everything." On Mac, boot into Recovery Mode and use Disk Utility to erase the drive, then reinstall macOS. For hard drives being disposed of separately, use a tool like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) for a full wipe. If in doubt, remove the storage drive before recycling and destroy it separately.
Can I put a TV in a dumpster?
In most states, no — it is illegal to put TVs in a dumpster or landfill because they contain hazardous materials like lead (in older CRT screens) and mercury. Even in states without an explicit ban, reputable dumpster rental companies typically refuse TVs and other electronics. The correct options are: Best Buy (free for TVs 32" and under, $29.99 for larger), a municipal e-waste event, an electronics retailer take-back program, or a certified e-waste recycler. For large office or estate cleanouts with dozens of TVs, pair a dumpster for non-electronic debris with a separate e-waste pickup service.
Need a Dumpster for a Large Office or Estate Cleanout?
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