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How to Recycle EV Chargers & Wall Connectors
Home, workplace, and public charging equipment with wiring, circuit boards, metals, plastics, and sometimes network-connected components. Hardwired equipment needs professional removal.
Check local acceptanceLast reviewed August 28, 2026
Quick answer
Treat an EV charger or wall connector as e-waste, not scrap or curbside recycling. Have hardwired equipment removed by a qualified electrician, then ask the manufacturer, installer, or an electronics recycler whether it accepts charging equipment; remove account access and personal network settings before handing over a smart charger. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
How to Prepare
- 1Have a qualified electrician disconnect hardwired equipment and cap or make safe the supply wiring
- 2Save the model, serial number, and installation records in case the maker offers repair, trade-in, or take-back
- 3Remove the charger from its app account, Wi-Fi, payment account, fleet system, and access-control system; factory-reset only if the manufacturer instructs it
- 4Separate removable cables, mounting hardware, and batteries only when the recycler asks for them
- 5Ask the recycler to confirm acceptance of EV charging equipment before transporting it
Where to Recycle
- Original charger manufacturer or installer
- Qualified electronics recycler that confirms EV charging-equipment acceptance
- Municipal e-waste program, where the program specifically lists or confirms chargers
- Commercial electronics recycler for workplace, fleet, or public charging equipment
Special Instructions
The device can hold network credentials and is usually hardwired to a high-voltage circuit. Do not cut cables, dismantle boards, or put the unit in a curbside cart. For business, apartment, and public chargers, use a recycler that can document downstream processing and data handling.
Environmental Impact
E-waste recycling can separate recoverable copper, steel, aluminum, circuit boards, and plastics while keeping electronic components out of a landfill. Securely removing account access helps prevent a charger’s digital credentials from moving with the hardware.
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
Data Wipe & Security
- Remove the charger from its manufacturer app and home or business account
- Disconnect Wi-Fi, cellular, RFID, payment, and fleet-management integrations
- Use the maker’s factory-reset procedure only after the unit is safely disconnected
- Keep a record of the serial number and reset confirmation for managed equipment
What’s Accepted
Not Accepted
- Curbside recycling carts
- Live hardwired equipment removed without a qualified professional
- Public or business chargers handed off with account or payment credentials still attached
FAQs
Can I recycle an EV charger as scrap metal?
Not as a default. Chargers contain circuit boards and electronic components in addition to metal, so use an e-waste recycler that confirms it accepts the equipment.
Do I need an electrician to remove a home wall connector?
For hardwired equipment, yes. Use a qualified electrician or the installer. They can disconnect the unit and make the supply wiring safe.
Recycle ev chargers & wall connectors
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