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. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- $0 at retail drop-off; working branded bricks sometimes resell
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Unplug from the wall
- 2Keep the cord attached to the brick
- 3Bundle multiple adapters with a tie
- 4Remove any attached devices or loose batteries
Where to Recycle
- Best Buy (chargers free)
- Staples (chargers and adapters free)
- Dell Reconnect
- Municipal e-waste events
Special Instructions
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.
Environmental Impact
Adapters contain copper windings and circuit boards. Retail e-waste is the simple household path compared with sorting them as bulk metal scrap.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Donate working spare chargers to schools or repair cafes
- Keep one compatible spare before recycling duplicates
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
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
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: $0 at retail drop-off; working branded bricks sometimes resell
Donation
- Schools and community labs (working spares)
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
Hazardous Components
- Capacitors and circuit boards
- Copper transformer windings
FAQs
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.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Dehumidifiers
- How to recycle Routers, Modems & Network Equipment
- How to recycle UPS Battery Backups
- How to recycle Hard Drives
- How to recycle Headphones
- How to recycle Guitars
- How to recycle Digital Cameras
- How to recycle Ink & Toner Cartridges
- How to recycle DVD/Blu-ray Players
- How to recycle Speakers
Recycle power adapters
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