Whether you were gifted a shiny new computer for the holidays or simply have old ones sitting around collecting dust, there are sustainable ways to recycle your old PCs and printers free of charge.
A recent CNET survey found that nearly a third of us are hoarding old electronics, because figuring out how to get rid of them feels like a huge pain. You can't just toss them in the trash. It's terrible for the environment and might even be illegal. The good news is that recycling your e-waste is ridiculously easy, and you don't even have to find a special recycling center.
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Just take it to Best Buy or Staples. These stores take your old laptops, printers and other tech junk off your hands for free. Some places will even give you a gift card for your trouble. It's the easiest way to finally clear out that closet and do the bare minimum for the planet.
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Clearing out used tech not only frees up space in your home, but also keeps harmful components out of landfills. So if you've been holding onto gear you haven't used in years, now's the time to let it go the right way.
Here's what you need to know about recycling your old tech. For more, learn how to recycle your old phones.
What to do before you recycle your old computer
Wherever you take or mail in your items to be recycled, you'll want to protect your data by removing it as best you can. One way to do this is to perform a factory reset on your computer. Our guide walks you through the process.
Where to recycle your old printers and computers
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