Look, we've all got that "shelf of shame" in the closet-a graveyard of ancient laptops, tangled power bricks, and printers that haven't seen an ink cartridge since 2019. In 2026, letting this e-waste rot in your house isn't just a hoarding problem; it's a security risk and a massive waste of resources. Most people assume that recycling tech requires a trip to a hazardous waste facility in the middle of nowhere, but the reality is much less of a headache.
Major retailers like Best Buy and Staples have basically become the drop-off hubs for your digital junk. You can literally walk into a store with a dead PC or a clunky old scanner and hand it over for free, regardless of where you bought it. Some of these places will even throw you a bone-like a discount on new gear or a trade-in credit-just for helping them reclaim the heavy metals and plastics that don't belong in a landfill. It's the easiest way to reclaim your storage space without feeling like a jerk for tossing electronics in the trash.
The only real "work" on your end is making sure you aren't handing over your entire life along with the hardware. Before you dump a device, you need to do a legitimate data wipe-not just "dragging files to the trash can." A ten-minute factory reset or a dedicated drive-scrubbing tool ensures your old tax returns and saved passwords don't become someone else's property. Stop acting like you're going to "fix" that laptop from 2015 and let a professional recycler break it down for parts instead.
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source on Chrome.
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
Some retail stores will accept computers and printers for recycling, but it's not always a free service. Policies vary by company.
Apple
You can recycle your old Apple computers, monitors and peripherals, such as printers, for free at an Apple store, but there's a costly catch. According to the Apple Free Recycling program, you must purchase a qualifying Apple computer or monitor to receive this service. Need another option? A third-party company called Gazelle buys old MacBooks to recycle them. After accepting Gazelle's offer, you print a prepaid label or request a prepaid box and ship the machine to them.
... continue reading