How to Recycle Power Adapters
AC adapters, USB power bricks, car chargers, and similar external power supplies. Transformers and boards go through electronics recycling.
Quick answer
Bundle laptop bricks, phone chargers, and wall adapters and drop them free at Best Buy or Staples. Leave cords attached. They are e-waste, not curbside metal or trash.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Typical value
- $0 at retail drop-off; working branded bricks sometimes resell
- Donate / take-back
- Available
- 1Unplug from the wall
- 2Keep the cord attached to the brick
- 3Bundle multiple adapters with a tie
- 4Remove any attached devices or loose batteries
- Best Buy (chargers free)
- Staples (chargers and adapters free)
- Dell Reconnect
- Municipal e-waste events
No data wipe needed. Best Buy lists chargers free. Staples lists car and wall chargers, adapters, and hubs free. Dell Reconnect takes cords and cables. Charred or cracked bricks still go to e-waste, not curbside.
Adapters contain copper windings and circuit boards. Retail e-waste is the simple household path compared with sorting them as bulk metal scrap.
- Donate working spare chargers to schools or repair cafes
- Keep one compatible spare before recycling duplicates
Accepted
- Laptop chargers and USB power bricks
- Wall and car adapters
- Power hubs and docking power supplies when listed
Not Accepted
- Units actively smoking or leaking from heat damage without containment guidance from HHW
Estimated value: $0 at retail drop-off; working branded bricks sometimes resell
Donation
- Schools and community labs (working spares)
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
- Capacitors and circuit boards
- Copper transformer windings
Should I cut the cord off the brick?
No. Leave adapters intact for retail recycling.
Can chargers go in curbside recycling?
No. Use Best Buy, Staples, or municipal e-waste.
Are laptop and phone chargers accepted together?
Yes at major retail programs. Bundle them.
Recycling centers that accept Power Adapters
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept power adapters. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.