Sell or Recycle Your Keyboards and Mice - Best Options
Last updated: 26 March 2026
Keyboards and Mice is a category of electronic device that can be recycled, refurbished, or traded in at end of life. This guide covers where and how.
People often search for "recycle laptop" when looking for recycling options. Here's what you need to know.
Last reviewed by Sarah Chen on 23 March 2026
Imagine you're sitting at your desk, typing away on your keyboard and clicking through a presentation with your mouse. Now think about what happens when these devices break or get outdated. It's easy to just toss them in the trash, but that can lead to some serious environmental problems.
What's Inside Keyboards and Mice?
Keyboards and mice are made up of various materials like plastic, metal, and circuit boards. The plastics used often contain brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which pose health risks if released into the environment. Circuit boards might have trace amounts of lead or mercury, which can be harmful to wildlife and humans alike.
Where Can You Recycle?
There are several options for recycling your old keyboards and mice:
- Retailers: Best Buy in the US offers a take-back program where you can drop off old electronics without any charge. In the UK, Currys PC World has similar programs. Staples also provides e-waste recycling bins at their stores.
- Manufacturers: HP and Dell both have recycling initiatives for their products. You can send back your used keyboards and mice through these programs.
- Certified Recyclers: E-Stewards is a network of recyclers that follow strict environmental standards, ensuring your devices are handled responsibly.
Preparing Your Devices
Before you recycle, make sure to remove any batteries from the devices. The small lithium-ion or alkaline batteries can be dangerous in landfills and should be recycled separately at battery recycling centers. Also, wipe your data if you're concerned about privacy-use a secure erasure utility like Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) for thorough cleaning.
According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, mobile phones contain up to 60 different elements, including critical raw materials.
Trading In for Cash
Certain retailers offer trade-in programs that let you exchange old devices for credit or cash. Best Buy, for example, has a Trade-In program where you can get money back on your keyboard or mouse if it's still in good condition. Similar services exist at Officeworks and Currys.
Environmental Impact
Throwing away keyboards and mice isn't just wasteful but harmful to the planet. When these devices end up in landfills, they release toxic chemicals that contaminate soil and water. According to a 2019 report by the Global E-Waste Monitor, only around 17% of e-waste was recycled globally that year. Recycling helps recover valuable materials like gold and copper while reducing pollution.
Hazardous Materials
Be wary of hazardous components in your devices:
- Lithium Batteries: Can cause fires if not disposed of properly.
- Mercury, Lead, Cadmium: These are toxic substances found in some older electronics that can leach into the environment if improperly discarded.
According to the BankMyCell 2024, iPhones retain trade-in value better than Android phones, losing ~40% in year 1 vs ~55%.
Repair vs. Recycle?
Sometimes it's worth fixing rather than recycling, especially for devices that aren't too old or damaged. If your keyboard is still functional but has a broken key or two, consider replacing just those parts instead of buying an entirely new one. Websites like iFixit offer repair guides and kits to help you fix common issues.
In summary, properly disposing of keyboards and mice through recycling programs helps prevent environmental harm while conserving resources. By taking these steps, you're making a positive impact on the planet and encouraging sustainable practices in electronics use.
According to the UNEP, A single tonne of circuit boards contains 40-800 times more gold than a tonne of ore.
Sources
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- BankMyCell 2024
- UNEP
How to Cite This Page
Sarah Chen (2026). 'Keyboards and Mice'. eCycling Central. Available at: https://ecyclingcentral.com/devices/keyboards-and-mice (Accessed: 23 March 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I recycle my old Keyboards and Mice?
You can recycle Keyboards and Mice at retail drop-off points (Best Buy, Staples, Currys), manufacturer take-back programmes, certified e-waste recyclers, and local council collection events. Most options are free for household quantities.
What valuable materials are in Keyboards and Mice?
Keyboards and Mice contain precious metals including gold, silver, and palladium, as well as copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Proper recycling recovers these materials instead of sending them to landfill.
Can broken Keyboards and Mice be recycled?
Yes. Even broken Keyboards and Mice have recyclable materials inside. Most e-waste recyclers accept damaged electronics. Some trade-in providers also buy broken devices for parts and material recovery.
Is it legal to throw Keyboards and Mice in the bin?
In many places, it's illegal to dispose of electronics in regular household waste. E-waste contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and lithium that require proper handling.