Searching for electronics recycling near you? This guide lists every free option in the US, UK and Canada - from retailer drop-off bins (Best Buy, Staples, Home Depot) to certified recyclers, mail-in programs and municipal collection events. We update accepted-items lists every month.
Reviewed by the eCycling Central editorial team - last updated May 2026
Free Electronics Recycling Drop-off
Six chains accept old electronics at every location, no purchase required:
| Retailer | Items accepted | Locations |
|---|
| Best Buy | TVs, laptops, phones, batteries, cables (3 items/day household limit) | 1,000+ US |
| Staples | Laptops, printers, ink cartridges, batteries, phones | 1,000+ US |
| Office Depot / OfficeMax | Tech recycling boxes ($5-$15), batteries free | 1,300+ US |
| Costco | Members can recycle most electronics in-store | 600+ US |
| Apple Store | Any Apple product, free trade-in if eligible | 270+ US |
| Microsoft Store | Microsoft devices, batteries | 80+ US |
Some restrictions apply by state - Best Buy charges $30 per TV/monitor in California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and a few others where state law dictates a separate handling fee.
What Counts as "Electronics" for Recycling
Almost any device with a power cord, battery or circuit board:
- Computers: laptops, desktops, monitors, keyboards, mice, cables
- Phones and tablets: smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers
- Audio/video: TVs, soundbars, headphones, gaming consoles, controllers
- Small appliances: microwaves, coffee makers, hair dryers, vacuums
- Power tools: drills, saws, batteries (any chemistry)
- Networking: routers, modems, switches, cables
- Gadgets: drones, cameras, smart-home devices, e-bike batteries
For larger appliances (fridges, washers, dryers, AC units) see our appliance recycling near me page or the appliance recycling guide.
Or use our Recycling Locator tool - enter your ZIP code and the device type, and it returns the closest free drop-off points.
Free Mail-in Recycling Programs
If you're in a rural area or want to bulk-recycle multiple items, four mail-in programs accept electronics for free or low cost:
- Apple GiveBack - free shipping label, trade-in credit if device has value, free recycling otherwise
- Samsung Direct Recycling - free shipping label for any Samsung device
- Google Trade-in - free shipping for Pixel, Nest devices
- Dell Reconnect (with Goodwill) - drop off at any participating Goodwill, no shipping needed
Third-party services like EcoATM (kiosks in 5,000+ Walmarts and Krogers) buy phones, MP3 players and tablets for cash on the spot.
What Happens to Recycled Electronics
- Reuse: 25-40% of devices are tested, refurbished, and resold
- Component recovery: 30-50% are dismantled for parts (memory chips, hard drives, screens)
- Material recovery: 20-40% are shredded for metals (gold, copper, aluminium, steel)
- Hazardous removal: lead-acid batteries, mercury switches, lithium cells are isolated and processed separately
Properly recycled what is e-waste recovers about $91 billion in raw materials globally each year (UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024).
Check Trade-In Value Before You Recycle
Working phones, tablets and laptops often still carry cash value. See what every buyer actually advertises in the monthly Trade-In Price Index, check current Apple buyback offers with the Apple Trade-In Value Lookup, compare kiosk and mail-in offers with the Device Value Checker, and price broken or scrap devices with the Scrap Value Calculator. Recycling is the right call only once a device has no resale value left.
How to Prepare Electronics for Recycling
- Back up data - to cloud storage or external drive
- Sign out of accounts (Apple ID, Google, Microsoft)
- Factory reset the device
- Remove SIM cards and microSD cards
- Remove batteries if possible (lithium-ion can be hazardous in transit)
- Wipe storage with a disk-erase tool for laptops/desktops
For sensitive data (corporate or medical), request a Certificate of Data Destruction from a certified e-waste processor (R2 or R2 vs e-Stewards certification).
Certified vs Uncertified Recyclers
The two main certifications are:
- R2 (Responsible Recycling) - administered by SERI, audited annually
- e-Stewards - administered by the Basel Action Network, audited every 2 years
Both certifications require traceable downstream chain-of-custody and prohibit export of hazardous waste to non-OECD countries. Always check certification before handing over data-bearing devices.
Find Recycling Near You by City
We maintain dedicated guides for 170+ US, Canadian, UK and Australian cities:
Shop a Replacement (US readers)
Sources
- UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024 (UNITAR / ITU)
- US EPA, Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge 2025
- SERI R2 Standard v3, 2024 revision
- Basel Action Network, e-Stewards Certified Recyclers list
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I recycle electronics for free near me?
Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, Costco, Apple Store and Microsoft Store all accept electronics for free recycling at every location. Best Buy has a 3-item-per-day household limit. Some states (CA, CT, PA) charge $30 for TVs and monitors due to state e-waste laws.
Does Best Buy still recycle electronics?
Yes. Best Buy accepts up to three household items per day per location for free recycling, including laptops, phones, batteries, cables and most small electronics. TVs and monitors carry a $30 fee in California, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
How do I recycle a laptop near me?
Drop off at Best Buy, Staples or Office Depot for free. Wipe the hard drive first, sign out of accounts, and factory reset. For sensitive data, use an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler and request a Certificate of Data Destruction.
Is it safe to recycle a phone with personal data?
Yes, if you factory reset and remove SIM/SD cards first. For added security, use Apple GiveBack, Samsung Direct Recycling or Dell Reconnect — all destroy personal data on receipt and provide a recycling certificate on request.
What electronics cannot be recycled at retail drop-off?
Most retailers do not accept large appliances (fridges, washers, AC units), commercial-quantity electronics, devices with damaged or swollen lithium batteries, or items containing hazardous materials like CRT TVs in some states. Use a certified e-waste recycler for these.
