Never throw your old tech just in the trash bin. Do this instead

Everybody loves pulling out a brand new laptop or TV from the box. It can be difficult to know how to dispose of all the electronic junk in your home if you have a lot of it. It is harmful to the environment and may be illegal depending on the item you are disposing of. There are many options available to dispose of your old tech safely and responsibly. You might be able get paid to dispose of your old tech if it’s still in working order.

Recycle or donate your old tech

Before we discuss where to dispose old tech, let’s first talk about how to prepare your tech for proper disposal. Your social security number and bank login information can be stored on tech. You can keep your data secure by wiping or removing any storage drives from the device before you dispose of it. This article explains how to remove or wipe a storage drive from a laptop.

You should take precautions if you have a battery that is not working and you want to dispose of it safely. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you cover the conductive ends with non-conductive tape (electrical tape), and then place the disposable batteries in a container or bin. This will reduce the chance of an accidental fire.

Do not puncture or damage lithium-ion batteries. It is a fire hazard. If you already have a damaged lithium ion battery, please take it to the nearest e-waste disposal facility or tech repair shop as soon possible.

Donate your old tech for charity

Donating tech in good condition is a great way to get rid of it. Donations may be tax-deductible and many organizations across the globe provide used tech to people in need. Computers with Causes and the World Computer Exchange are just two of the programs that provide used tech to the underprivileged and underserved in the United States.

Reach out to your local library, school district, or city council to find out if they offer programs that redistribute old tech to those in need. Massachusetts, for example, provides funding to cities and towns that implement reuse and repair plans. You can also donate your old tech at Goodwill or other thrift shops if you don’t have the funds available.

Get back your money with takeback or buyback programs

Many tech companies will buy or take your old tech in order to reduce e waste and simplify your life. For example, if you recently bought a new cell phone, the manufacturer might have offered you cash for the old one. Apple, Samsung and Staples all offer tech buyback programs.

Electronics Takeback Coalition (ETC), has a list that details the specifics of each program and their sustainability impacts. You can find e-Steward-certified programs that pledge not to export ewaste to developing nations. This is a common practice that puts the burden of waste processing onto already vulnerable people. If you are lucky enough to have an e-Steward program, Staples has one.

Staples or Best Buy offer takeback programs on a wide range of tech products, including tablets and vacuums. These programs are either free of charge, or a small rebate. You can often just walk into the store to inquire about their takeback program for smaller tech such as cell phones and laptops. There is no need to make a drop-off. Many manufacturers offer direct takeback or buyback programs via mail-in services, partnerships, and other means.

The Environmental Protection Agency maintains a list with a variety of businesses and manufacturers that will accept your tech. You can also sort the list by item type. This is especially useful if you need to find out which vendors offer pick-up and shipping options for unusual equipment like photocopiers in offices.

What do you do with e-waste?

Not all tech can be repaired. You will have e-waste regardless of how eco-conscious your tech is. Depleted single-use batteries and broken monitors are all common e-waste.

You cannot dispose of a battery in its entirety, whether it is in a standalone product or as part of a larger item. It is illegal in many states. Batteries can cause damage to the environment and pose a fire hazard if they are not properly disposed of. Alkaline batteries that are only used once can legally be thrown in with regular trash anywhere in the United States, except California. We strongly recommend that you take used alkaline batteries to an appropriate recycling center or bin.

Many people will find it easiest to dispose of their electronic waste at a store that provides a free bin for small tech and batteries. Staples and Best Buy all offer free disposal bins in-store. Many cities offer municipal ewaste services. These include drop-off bins for residents or e-waste pickups for larger items such as televisions and appliances. Many battery recyclers, such as Call2Recycle, will accept cell phones for free.

Earth911 has a directory that lists the nearest recyclers for specific products like TVs. Greener Gadgets provides a complete list of all the nearest recyclers to your product.