Guidelines for Recycling Your Unused and Unwanted Gadgets

Every time you upgrade to a new gadget like a smartphone or laptop, it’s not just your bank account that takes a hit. These devices come with significant environmental costs, as they are composed of materials that can’t decompose easily. Each new model requires the extraction of rare earth metals, which contributes to further devaluation of natural resources. Additionally, manufacturing and shipping these products consumes large amounts of resources such as water and fossil fuels. Fortunately, recycling your old devices can help mitigate some of these impacts.

Numerous organizations and governmental bodies have established systems for responsible electronic disposal. You can recycle your gadgets by bringing them to designated recycling centers, dropping them off at stores, or even mailing them in. Below is a guide on where to recycle your old electronics.

### National Retailers

While there isn’t a federal electronics recycling program, various national retailers offer recycling services for old devices.

#### Best Buy
Best Buy maintains over 1,000 locations across the United States where you can drop off your old devices at the customer service counter. You’ll receive a receipt but remember, this is not tax-deductible as Best Buy isn’t classified as a charitable organization. Starting in 2025, they will also offer a mail-in recycling service. You can purchase a box to ship your old electronics, provided they fall within the weight limits. Various fees may apply for recycling larger items like TVs.

#### Staples
Staples allows you to recycle up to seven items daily. You simply present your items at the checkout counter. They also have a mail-in program, where you’ll first need to buy a recycling box, which can hold items up to specified weight limits. Staples Easy Rewards members can earn points for recycling that can be redeemed for discounts.

#### Office Depot / OfficeMax
These retailers let you recycle select items like phones and batteries for free. However, for other electronics, you will need to buy a Tech Recycling Box, which costs between $8.39 and $28 based on size. The filled box can then be brought back to the store for shipping and processing.

#### Home Depot and Lowe’s
Both of these home improvement stores have easy drop-off options for old rechargeable batteries, CFL bulbs, and phones, typically located at the entrance of their stores.

#### Target
Target stores offer drop-off bins for various items, including electronics, located near the entrance.

### Manufacturer Programs

If you’re unable to head to retail locations, many manufacturers provide their own recycling programs.

#### Amazon
Amazon features a trade-in program where you can return items like Kindles and Fire TVs in exchange for gift cards. They’ll even handle the shipping costs for products deemed unreusable.

#### Apple
Apple’s trade-in program allows you to return products in various conditions for store credit. They also facilitate responsible recycling for products that aren’t suitable for resale.

#### Dell
Dell collaborates with Goodwill for drop-off recycling, making it easy to dispose of old electronics. They also offer a mail-back service for products you choose to send in.

#### Epson and HP
Epson provides a shipping label system for recycling old products. Additionally, HP promotes its recycling programs by encouraging users to return unused ink and toner cartridges through the mail.

### State Regulations
Currently, many states have varying recycling rules for electronics. At least 26 states enforce laws that influence how consumers and manufacturers should handle electronic waste. For instance, states like California and New York have strong regulations that require TVs and other electronics to be recycled rather than discarded.

Many of the outlined programs can help you responsibly dispose of your outdated technology while contributing toward reducing overall electronic waste. Consider taking advantage of these options next time you upgrade to a new device to do your part in protecting the environment.