Storage.com
Clear the clutter. Keep what matters.
Compare U.S. storage units for the furniture and seasonal gear you want to keep after a cleanout.
Compare nearby storage unitsElectronics recycling
How to Recycle Computers
Desktop PCs, laptops, and all-in-ones. Boards carry lead solder; laptops hold Li-ion packs; older LCD panels may use CCFL lamps with mercury. Wipe storage before drop-off.
Check local acceptanceWorking units may sell or trade; scrap-only machines are usually $0 at retail drop-offLast reviewed August 28, 2026
Quick answer
Back up, wipe or remove the drive, then take desktops and laptops to Best Buy (free; up to 5 laptops/day), Staples (free), Dell Reconnect, Apple, HP channels, or an R2 / e-Stewards recycler. Curbside bins almost never take PCs. HDD overwrite and SSD secure erase are different jobs. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Working units may sell or trade; scrap-only machines are usually $0 at retail drop-off
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Back up files you still need
- 2Deauthorize licensed software where required
- 3Sign out of cloud accounts and disable device tracking
- 4Secure-erase the drive or remove it for separate destruction
- 5For SSDs use ATA Secure Erase or the maker's tool, not multi-pass overwrite alone
- 6Leave swollen laptop batteries in the chassis unless a tech removes them
- 7Include power bricks when you have them
Where to Recycle
- Best Buy (free for computers; 5 laptops/day residential)
- Staples (free for computers and Macs)
- Dell Reconnect at participating Goodwill; Dell Mail Back / Trade In
- Apple Trade In / free recycle for Macs
- HP Planet Partners or retail for HP hardware
- Municipal e-waste events
- R2 or e-Stewards certified recyclers
Special Instructions
Deleting files is not a wipe. Overwrite HDDs or use manufacturer secure erase. SSDs need ATA Secure Erase, cryptographic erase, or physical destruction. Multi-pass overwrite is unreliable on flash. Consumer Dell Reconnect and Mail Back do not issue destruction certificates. Best Buy's in-store program is for residents. Staples accepts eligible business items, but its retail program does not provide asset tracking or destruction or erasure certificates; use ITAD, R2, or e-Stewards for documented business disposition.
Environmental Impact
Recycling recovers metals from boards and keeps Li-ion and older CCFL mercury lamps out of household trash. EPA cites a 2006 USGS estimate that recycling 1 million laptops saves energy on the order of powering 3,500+ U.S. homes for a year. Pull the drive for wipe or destruction, then use Dell Reconnect or retail drop-off for the chassis.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Donate wiped working PCs to schools or nonprofits
- Sell or reuse RAM, CPU, and SSD separately
- Manufacturer trade-in for credit toward a new machine
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
Data Wipe & Security
- Back up data
- Sign out of accounts and deauthorize software
- HDD: multi-pass overwrite or built-in secure erase
- SSD / NVMe: manufacturer secure erase, ATA Secure Erase, or encrypt-then-wipe
- Failed drives: physical destruction via a certified recycler
- Or remove the drive and recycle the chassis separately
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Desktops, laptops, and all-in-ones (working or not)
- Units with or without chargers and peripherals
- Cracked screens or missing keys
Not Accepted
- Loose damaged lithium batteries
- Business bulk loads at residential retail counters
- Classified government equipment (needs approved channels)
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: Working units may sell or trade; scrap-only machines are usually $0 at retail drop-off
Donation
- Dell Reconnect (Goodwill)
- Local schools and nonprofits
Hazardous Components
- Lithium-ion batteries in laptops
- Lead solder on circuit boards
- Mercury in older CCFL-backlit LCD panels
FAQs
Is deleting files enough before recycling a PC?
No. Use a full disk wipe or remove the drive. For HDDs, overwrite or use secure erase. For SSDs, use the manufacturer's secure erase or encrypt then wipe. Multi-pass tools alone are a weak fit for SSDs.
Does Dell Reconnect take non-Dell computers?
Yes at participating Goodwill locations. Any brand and condition for listed electronics. Confirm your local site accepts drop-offs.
Will I get a certificate of destruction?
Usually not from consumer retail or Dell's consumer Reconnect/Mail Back/Trade In. Ask an R2 or e-Stewards ITAD if you need documented destruction for business compliance.
Can I remove the hard drive and recycle the rest?
Yes. Wipe or destroy the drive on your own schedule, then drop the chassis at Best Buy, Staples, or a certified recycler.
Do Best Buy and Staples charge for computers?
Computers and laptops are listed free for residential customers at both. Best Buy allows up to 5 laptops per household per day. Confirm fees for monitors separately.
Are old computers worth bringing in?
Yes for recycling. Even non-working units go through e-waste. Working machines are better donated or sold first.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Routers, Modems & Network Equipment
- How to recycle UPS Battery Backups
- How to recycle Servers & Data-Center Equipment
- How to recycle Small Appliances
- How to recycle CRT Monitors/TVs
- How to recycle Smartphones
- How to recycle Flat Screen TVs
- How to recycle Printers
- How to recycle Gaming Consoles
- How to recycle Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Recycle computers
Search recycling centers by city or ZIP, or explore more electronics materials.