How-to: recycle your old gadgets

We see a lot of gadgets come in the door here at Engadget. In fact, getting them in the door is actually the easy part... it's getting them back out that's a bit confusing. Recycling -- something that most of us do on a day-to-day basis with our trash -- is a bit stickier when it comes to gadgets. In recent years, however, most major consumer electronics companies have stepped up their games a bit and begun "take back" recycling programs of their own. There are a lot of resources out there if you want to rid yourself of old gadgets in a responsible way, but it can be a pretty overwhelming prospect, especially if (like us) you have an actual pile of old cellphones which has been growing since 1998. We thought about that a lot, and decided to try to make sense of all the wild masses of information out there on the internet, and to provide our readers a central location to look for all that information. Read on and see what we've come up with!
Like we said, there is a ton of information available, and countless companies that recycle electronics independently. What follows is a guide to individual companies' recycling programs (if they have them), and a list of general and governmental resources that are well-respected and reputed within the industry. Every company handles take back and recycling a bit differently, so be sure to read all of their information before making the decision as to how to handle your old gadgets. For instance, if your mobile phone manufacturer doesn't have a recycling program -- check with your carrier, or one of the independent resources listed. We've done our best to hit all the bases, but feel free to hit us up if we've missed something so that we can add it -- and good luck -- we hope the list helps you reclaim some storage space!

Note: most of these resources are US (in some cases, North America) only.

Individual companies

Acer - Acer Recycling Program - Acer's recycling program is limited, and varies state by state. Currently, it accepts any product manufacted by Acer in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington.

Apple - Apple Recycling Program - Apple's recycling and takeback varies a bit from state-to-state. The company currently offers free old equipment takeback (of any make or model) with the purchase of a new Mac, and also offers anytime computer and iPod mail-in recycling with the purchase of a $30 pre-paid shipping label on the site.

ASUS - ASUS Green ASUS Takeback and Recycling Program - ASUS has partnered with Metech Recycling for free takeback of ASUS-manufactured products. Consumers can fill out an online form, and will be mailed a shipping label to return their old gear. A fee applies for non-ASUS products.

Canon - Canon Recycling Program Canon offers takeback recycling on all of its consumer products. Shipping label is sent via email after registering your product on the website.

Dell - Dell Recycling Dell's recycling program will take back any Dell-branded product at any time, and if you choose the free recycling option at the time of buying a new Dell product, the company will take away your old equipment regardless of manufacturer. Dell has also partnered with the National Cristina Foundation (NCF) in order to help disabled and economically disadvantaged people get access to computer equipment. You can donate your equipment to the NCF via Dell's site.

Dyson - Dyson Recycling - (UK mainland-only) Dyson will come by and pick up your old vacuum, regardless of make.

Epson - Epson Recycling Program A flat $10 fee applies for the return of any item, with a $5 coupon good for purchases made at the Epson store.

Fujitsu - Fujitsu Recycling Information Fujitsu complies with the electronic waste laws enacted in California, Maine and Maryland (because it has to), but does not operate a recycling program independently.

Gateway - Gateway Trade-in Program Gateway offers direct recycling in California, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. In all other states, it is partnered with Dealtree, which offers money in exchange for recycling-bound electronics. If your trade-ins are determined to have zero value, they will still be picked up and recycled free of charge.

Hitachi - Hitachi Recycling Hitachi complies with state-to-state e-waste laws, but does not operate any other programs.

HP - HP Eco Solutions HP's Planet Partners recycling program covers a wide array of HP and non-HP produced products (some with a charge associated), including batteries, cellphones, ink cartridges, pcs, and monitors. HP provides support and take back on all of its products.

Intel - Intel Environment - Information on Intel's environmental impact and policies, as well as data on the company's recycling activities.

Lenovo - Eco Take Back Free shipping and recycling of all Lenovo products and select IBM products.

LG - LG Electronics Program LG is partnered with WM Recycle America to recycle LG, Zenith and GoldStar brands of televisions, monitors, audio equipment, video cassette players and recorders, DVD players and recorders, combination TV/VCR and TV/DVD units, and set top boxes and accessories associated with those products. Customers can drop off up to five of these items at a time, and smaller items can be returned with an LG recycling mailer.

Motorola - Take-back programs Motorola accepts mobile phones and their associated accessories of any brand. Motorola includes mailers with many of its new products, and provides free postage-paid labels on its website.

Nintendo - Product Take back and Recycling Program Nintendo of America provides a phone number for customers to call in and make arrangements for mailing back Nintendo products for recycling.

Nokia USA - Repair and Recycle Nokia customers can drop off mobile phones at any Nokia Flagship Store, and it provides mail-in information on its website. Nokia also has a Trade-Up program where customers can get cash back for their old phone with the purchase of a new Nokia device.

Palm - Palm Take Back & Recycling Palm does not operate its own take back and recycling program, but offers detailed instructions on erasing and preparing your device for recycling.

Panasonic - Panasonic Nationwide Recycling Program Panasonic's recycling program covers all Panasonic-branded products, and is operated by MRM.

Philips - Philips Global recycling initiatives - Currently, Philips does not have a US-based recycling program. Philips is a charter member of the UN-supported StEP Initiative (see below).

Samsung - Samsung Recycling Direct Samsung has partnered with a number of recyclers nationwide and provides free drop off of all Samsung products at a location near the consumer. Non-Samsung products can also be dropped off for a fee.

Sharp - Sharp Recycling Program - Sharp has teamed up with MRM Recycling for television takeback. Check the website for battery and ink / toner recycling.

Sony - Sony Take Back Recycling Program Sony's teamed up with Waste Management eCycling centers for free drop off and recycling of all Sony products.

Sony Ericsson - Sony Ericsson Recycle Sony Ericsson provides detailed information and free shipping labels for return of its products.

Toshiba - Toshiba Green Programs Allows for return of any electronics, regardless of brand, for free as a part of its Trade-In Program.


Wireless Carriers

AT&T - AT&T Reuse and Recycle

Sprint - Sprint / Nextel's Wireless Buyback and Project Connect Recycling Programs

T-Mobile - T-Mobile Handset Recycling

Verizon Wireless - Verizon Wireless Hopeline Phone Recycling


Retail Stores

Best Buy - Best Buy's Recycling program will take "nearly any" old electronic for free, though there is a $10 charge (with a $10 Best Buy gift certificate compensation) for TVs 32" and under, CRTs, monitors and laptops.

Costco - Costco's Trade-In Program offers a trade-in for electronics, with customers receiving Costco gift certificates in exchange.

GameStop - GameStop's well known games trade-in program includes end of life recycling by the company.

Sam's Club - Sam's Club offers a website for registering and returning electronics for members.

WalMart - Operates a free cellphone recycling program. Customers can print a free shipping label on the site. WalMart is also partnered with Gazelle for trade-ins worth WalMart prepaid Visa cards.

Radio Shack - Radio Shack has a battery recycling program, as well as a cellphone recycling program in conjunction with Call2Recycle.

General Resouces

US Environmental Protection Agency's Plug-In To eCycling Program is an extensive guide to national and local resources, partnered with many major manufacturers and service providers to help ensure our "garbage" goes to the right place.

call 2 recycle - a program for mobile phone and rechargeable battery recycling.

Wireless... the New Recyclable - Extensive resources, information, and partnerships for mobile phone recycling.

Greener Gadgets - A yearly conference held in New York City focusing on environmentally sound gadget design, reclamation, reuse, and recycling. The site also has a great list of electronics recycling resources.

Electronics Takeback Coalition - Maintains a site which will help you get rid of some of those old televisions you've got hiding in cupboards. Did you know that the EPA estimates that there are almost 100 million of those in the US?

Goodwill Industries, Inc - Goodwill accepts charitable donations of old computers and equipment. When all else fails, give it away!

StEP Initiative - UN organizations initiative to evaluate, legislate, and study e-waste problems around the world.

Basel Action Network - Information about safe, responsible e-cycling, and recycling companies which have been reported as violating safety and shipping policies.

Ecophones - resources for starting up your own recycling fundraiser

Cell Phones for Soldiers - Donate your old cellphone to a man or woman in uniform!

BuyMyTronics - Turn in your old (and even broken) gear for cash. What could be more fun than that?

YouRenew - Another buyback service, featuring free shipping and a cash payoff.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 27th 2009 7:45PM]

I'll take them off your hands and I'm right here in NYC. No shipping, no packing.

Any chance there's a S743 in the pile?

[Chefgon Posted Oct 27th 2009 7:59PM]

I find something irresistibly beautiful about the image used for this story.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 27th 2009 8:06PM]

CeX have a bunch of stores in New York, Boston and Philadelphia that buy old electronics, phones and computers.

www.webuy.com

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 27th 2009 8:44PM]

I also used http://www.recycleapc.com and was very happy about the service they proved.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 27th 2009 9:11PM]

your info about Apple is a little wrong. They do NOT take back computers at the stores (I just asked a couple of days ago). You have to mail them in. If you just bought a new computer you can get the shipping label for free. If not, you pay the fee. They do take back batteries, scrap things like keyboards and dead mice. AND if you are buying a new ipod (no iphones just ipods) and you bring in the old one to be recycled, they give you a discount.

[nintendonick Posted Oct 27th 2009 9:40PM]

I would gladly take any not needed gadgets off of your hands.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 27th 2009 9:36PM]

Here is an idea since everyone knows people are too lazy to actually schlept their cell phones to a store to recycle let alone their beasts of computers. Have someone pick them up for free!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 27th 2009 9:46PM]

Do a separate link for constant "drawings" have part of the contest rules be a set "shipping and handling" fee to account for having to pay someone to handle the labor costs associated with shipping. Let the manufacturer when they send you the demo model decide if you can give it away or if you have to send it back. I'm sure the PR you'd get from the drawings and such would be well worth any effort put into developing a website and system to ship the Items... part of entering the drawing would be to refer 10 new friends to the Engadget website through an individualized link

[DantePerr Posted Oct 27th 2009 10:44PM]

So....there's gotta be a reason that Engadget wouldn't....saaaaay.....put up a contest for this old crap they don't want?

cause I could sure use a new phone. Just saying.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 27th 2009 11:12PM]

As much of a hectic place it may be, If you have one near you recycle your old computer shit at a FreeGeek location.
Go google it for more info, seriously.

[Ned Scott Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:31AM]

Most Home Depots are also drop-off points for Call 2 Recycle. C2R will also send you pre-paid UPS boxes for cell phones/rechargeable batteries for free to businesses, churches, schools, etc. It's a great way to draw in customers while doing something good. I've had the pleasure of dealing with C2R where I work for a little over a year now.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 10:44AM]

check out www.YouRenew.com

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 12:35PM]

There is another site that pays you to send them old phones. PhoneRaiser. Look them up. Might as well get paid for giving up old useless stuff.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 1:31PM]

Great article! Not many people realize the importance of recycling old electronics, as e waste is one of the most hushed up problems today (electronics are actually extremely hazardous and contain tons of toxic materials). While it's great to recycle electronics, the constant demand for new products keeps this flow of e waste up, so never forget the option of re-selling your electronics before they become obsolete. Not only will this extend the life span of many consumer electronics (which many people will happily buy!) but it will also lower the demand for mass production of new products AND you can make some extra cash. Overall the gray market of pre owned electronics is often overlooked, leading many people to simply hold on to cell phones and computers, opting to leave them in their closet until obsolete instead of selling it. This market is growing however, with companies such as our own (www.trade2save.com) or "dealtree" among others buying/selling pre owned electronics. Take a look and always remember that the garbage should always be the absolute last choice!
-Alex

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 1:35PM]

Ack sorry, here's the hyperlink:
http://www.trade2save.com/
http://www.trade2save.com/blog/

Cheers!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 3:16PM]

I'll be more than happy to take those old devices. Better yet, I would pick them up :P

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:08PM]

Engadget,

Living in the backwaters of Australia ;) Always happy to "borrow"/"test" any of the old gadgets you have lying around!

Heh..

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:33PM]

How about donating some older gadgets to charitable organizations.

I work with a computer reuse charity based in Austin, TX.
We take machines with high end Pentium lll processors and newer.
Always need flat panel displays and wireless cards.

The Helios Project
http://www.heliosinitiative.org/news.php
Tax deductible receipts available for all donations thru our 501(c)3 designator Software in the Public Interest.

Thanks
Bob Pianka
The Helios Project
Outreach Director

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2009 8:23PM]

Hey, why not donate to your third world friends:
I~d be more than happy to recive anything electronic you want to recicle!

Alexandre Domingos
Av. Vitoria 1400 Loja 8
Vitoria - ES - Brazil
29051-040

Will you pay for recycling? Why not pay less to send a nice gadget to a friend in the other (poor) side of the world and make him happy? And yet, making the gadget still useful for years

(I still use a Pentium 233 notebook, a 2nd generation ipod mini and a very battered Treo 650) :oD

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2009 9:31PM]

I will gladly take any thing your willing to get rid of. I dive the recycling boxes for some free gadgets :D

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2009 5:35AM]

Test

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2009 5:43AM]

All of the guys who say: Give me the stuff, are real idiots!
The author is trying to enlighten readers about the various recycling policies of the various companies.
Kudos to the author!! Such issues are really important!!

In India: One can bring in OLD Appliance & buy a NEW one with a small discount: 1-4 % Usually. Not Bad.

My Question is: What do the Companies do with the collected OLD appliances. Some Conspiracy theorists say components from OLD appliance are SALVAGED & incorporated into New Ones. They justify the statement by asking "How can they give a discount on New Appliance otherwise!"

I guess, a followup post highlighting HOW the recycling is done will be really hopeful!

Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2009 5:51AM]

All of the guys who say: Give me the stuff, are real idiots!
The author is trying to enlighten readers about the various recycling policies of the various companies.
Kudos to the author!! Such issues are really important!!

In India: One can bring in OLD Appliance & buy a NEW one with a small discount: 1-4 % Usually. Not Bad.

My Question is: What do the Companies do with the collected OLD appliances. Some Conspiracy theorists say components from OLD appliance are SALVAGED & incorporated into New Ones. They justify the statement by asking "How can they give a discount on New Appliance otherwise!"

I guess, a followup post highlighting HOW the recycling is done will be really hopeful!

Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 1st 2009 2:31PM]

@alap4m who cares if its salvaged or old? your news paper is made out of old news papers.. as long as it works and has a warranty, right? REUSING is RECYCLING.. its basically the DEFINITION =)

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 1st 2009 2:25PM]

been doing this for years handing my old stuff to my staff

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 1st 2009 2:32PM]

Engadget, you forgot to mention ebay! That is a great way to recycle.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 11:24AM]

But where do I recycle my old UPS batteries. I have a few of them laying around and RadioShack won't take them with their battery recycling program.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:02PM]

Don't forget http://www.trade2save.com - here you can trade-in all your used gadgets. Trade2save then sells them on to other customers who would otherwise buy new. This reduces the waste stream by reducing the demand for new products.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 4th 2009 1:12PM]

You can recicle on me. If you want address and everything look on my mail.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 8:39PM]

http://www.goodnewsforpolarbears.org is a great new site that allows you to recycle your old electronic gadgets and anything else for that matter.