Old laptops, desktops, and printers don't need to be thrown away as there are ways to recycle them responsibly for free, and even earn store credit in some cases. In states like California, disposing of these electronics in the trash is illegal and can result in hefty fines. Instead, these items can easily be taken to major retailers such as Best Buy, OfficeMax, Office Depot, and Staples for proper disposal. This article is part of CNET Zero, a series that looks at the effects of climate change and solutions being implemented. Recycling old electronics is an important practice to adopt.
A recent UN report reveals that globally, consumers are discarding five times more electronic devices than are being recycled. When disposing of your items for recycling, it is important to safeguard your data by erasing it thoroughly. One method is to perform a factory reset on your computer, which our guide can assist you with. While some stores may accept computers and printers for recycling, there may be charges associated with this service.
Different companies have different policies for recycling old electronics. Apple offers a free recycling program for old computers, monitors, and peripherals at their stores, but you must purchase a new Apple computer or monitor to qualify for the service. Alternatively, a third-party company called Gazelle will buy old MacBooks for recycling. If you choose to sell to Gazelle, they will provide a prepaid label or box for you to ship the device to them.
The company Best Buy allows customers to recycle up to three household items per day at no cost, which includes desktop computers, printers, e-readers, and vacuum cleaners. For laptops, they accept up to five per household per day. Rules may vary by state for dropping off monitors, and there may be fees for certain items. Best Buy also offers a mail-in recycling service, but there are charges involved – $23 for a small box (up to 6 pounds) and $30 for a large box (up to 15 pounds).
In 2013, Office Depot and OfficeMax combined their businesses. They offer a tech trade-in program where customers can trade in old computers and printers for a store gift card, either in-store or online. If the device has no trade-in value, the company will recycle it for free. Office Depot also provides tech recycling boxes that you can purchase for $8, fill with electronics for recycling, and drop off at their stores.
The small boxes at Staples cost $9 and can hold up to 20 pounds, while the medium boxes cost $18 and can hold up to 40 pounds. The large boxes cost $28 and can hold up to 60 pounds. You can bring old desktop computers, laptops, and printers to Staples for free recycling at the checkout counter, even if you didn't buy them there. Staples also offers a free at-home battery recycling box, resulting in a significant increase in battery recycling from customers.
If you prefer taking your old computers and printers to a recycling center instead of a retail store, you can use tools like Earth911 and the Consumer Technology Association to find nearby locations. Earth911's recycling center search feature helps you find places near your ZIP code that accept electronics like laptops, desktops, and printers. The Consumer Technology Association's Greener Gadgets Recycle Locator also assists in finding local recycling centers that accept old items and allows you to filter the results to specifically look for places that take computers or printers.
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