Published October 14, 2026

Old phones, laptops, tablets, televisions and other electronic devices do not belong in an ordinary recycling cart. Electronics contain a complex mix of reusable components, valuable metals, plastics, glass, batteries and other materials that require specialized collection and processing.

What Is Electronics Recycling?

Electronics recycling is the collection, testing, dismantling and processing of unwanted electrical and electronic equipment so reusable products and components can be recovered and recyclable materials can return to manufacturing supply chains.

The term e-waste, or electronic waste, is commonly used for electronics that their owners no longer want. A device does not necessarily become material for shredding the moment it is discarded. Some equipment can be tested, repaired, refurbished and reused before reaching the material-recovery stage.

For devices that cannot be reused economically or safely, specialized recyclers can separate batteries, circuit boards, metal frames, wiring, plastics, glass and other components for further processing.

This is a different system from residential curbside recycling. Conventional materials recovery facilities are generally designed for materials such as bottles, cans, paper and cardboard — not laptops, phones, televisions or battery-powered devices.

Why Electronics Recycling Matters

Modern electronics concentrate substantial amounts of material into relatively small products.

Depending on the device, electronics can contain steel, aluminum, copper, glass, plastics, circuit boards and smaller quantities of valuable metals. Recycling allows some of those resources to re-enter supply chains instead of being lost through disposal.

The scale of the challenge is significant. The Global E-waste Monitor reported that the world generated approximately 62 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2022. Only 22.3% was documented as formally collected and recycled through environmentally sound systems.

The same report estimates that global e-waste generation could reach approximately 82 million tonnes by 2030 if current trends continue.

For individual households, the practical implication is simple: an obsolete phone or laptop may be small, but it belongs in a specialized recovery system rather than an ordinary garbage or recycling stream.

What Electronics Can Be Recycled?

Acceptance varies by recycler, collection event and local program, but dedicated electronics programs commonly handle many of the following items.

This list is a starting point, not a universal acceptance list. Some programs charge fees for televisions or monitors, limit quantities, exclude commercial equipment or accept only residents from a specific jurisdiction.

Always confirm acceptance before transporting equipment.

Electronics Should Not Go in Curbside Recycling

A phone, laptop or tablet may contain recyclable metals and plastics, but that does not mean it belongs in a household recycling cart.

Electronics can contain batteries and components that standard materials recovery facilities are not designed to handle. Devices can be crushed by collection vehicles or sorting equipment, creating hazards and potentially damaging valuable components that could otherwise have been reused or recovered.

Use a dedicated electronics recycling or take-back route instead.

For other materials that require special handling, see RecyclingMonster's 25 Things You Should Never Put in a Recycling Bin.

Step 1: Decide Whether the Device Should Be Reused or Recycled

Before recycling an electronic device, ask whether it still functions and whether another user could reasonably use it.

A working computer may need only a new battery, additional memory or a software reset. A functioning phone may have resale, trade-in or donation value. Some electronics recyclers also operate refurbishment and resale programs.

Reuse is not automatically appropriate for every device. Very old, damaged or unsupported electronics may have little practical reuse value, and equipment with safety problems should not simply be passed to another user.

The objective is to make an informed decision between continued use, repair, refurbishment and material recycling.

Step 2: Back Up Anything You Want to Keep

Before resetting or sanitizing a phone, computer or storage device, copy any files you still need.

That may include:

• Photos and videos
• Documents
• Contacts
• Email archives
• Authentication information
• Software license information
• Business records

Confirm that the backup actually works before deleting the original data.

Step 3: Remove Accounts, Locks and Personal Information

Electronics often remain connected to online accounts even after a user stops using the physical device.

Before recycling, selling or donating a device, follow the manufacturer's current instructions to remove personal information and disconnect the device from associated accounts.

For a phone or tablet, this can include removing or deactivating accounts, removing a physical SIM card when present, disabling device-tracking or activation-lock features and completing the appropriate reset procedure.

Computers and external storage devices require appropriate data sanitization rather than simply deleting visible files.

How Should Businesses Protect Data on Retired Electronics?

Businesses usually need a more formal process than a household performing a basic device reset.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's current SP 800-88 Revision 2, Guidelines for Media Sanitization, published in September 2025, provides a framework for organizations to establish a media-sanitization program based on information sensitivity and the type of storage media involved.

Organizations disposing of computers, servers, hard drives and other data-bearing equipment should establish procedures covering inventory control, chain of custody, sanitization, verification and documentation.

A business should select its sanitization procedure according to its security requirements rather than assuming one method fits every storage technology.

Step 4: Check the Battery Before Recycling the Device

This is one of the most important safety steps.

Phones, tablets, laptops, wireless headphones, power tools, gaming devices and many other electronics use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should not be placed in household garbage or ordinary municipal recycling bins. A battery that is crushed, punctured, bent or otherwise damaged can short circuit and create a fire.

If the battery is built permanently into a phone, laptop or tablet, do not dismantle the device simply to remove it unless the recycler specifically instructs you to do so and the removal can be performed safely.

Many electronics recyclers accept complete battery-containing devices and manage the battery under their own trained procedures.

What About Swollen Lithium-Ion Batteries?

A swollen battery is a damaged battery and should be treated differently from routine electronics recycling.

Do not puncture, flatten or squeeze it. Avoid charging or using the device.

Contact the device manufacturer, a qualified electronics or battery recycler, or the local household hazardous waste authority for specific instructions. If the device appears to present an immediate fire threat, follow emergency guidance rather than transporting it casually.

Step 5: Find the Correct Electronics Recycling Program

There is no single collection method that applies everywhere.

Depending on the device and location, options can include:

RecyclingMonster's Electronics Recycling Centers directory can be used to search electronics recyclers and accepted materials.

You can also use Recycle an Item to search for a recycling option by material and location.

Call Before You Visit an Electronics Recycler

Acceptance policies change, and electronics are not interchangeable from a processing standpoint.

Before making a trip, ask:

• Do you accept this exact device?
• Do you accept equipment from households, businesses or both?
• Is there a quantity limit?
• Are televisions or CRT monitors accepted?
• Is there a recycling fee?
• Can devices with embedded lithium batteries be accepted intact?
• How is data-bearing equipment handled?
• Is an appointment or proof of residency required?

For business quantities, also ask about pickup, pallet requirements, asset inventories and data-destruction documentation.

What Are R2 and e-Stewards Certified Electronics Recyclers?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes two accredited third-party electronics recycling certification standards: R2 and e-Stewards.

Certification does not mean every certified company offers identical services. It indicates that a facility has been independently audited against the requirements of the applicable standard.

R2

The current R2v3 framework is administered by Sustainable Electronics Recycling International, or SERI. Its requirements address areas including environmental, health and safety management, data security, reuse, equipment processing and management of downstream material flows.

e-Stewards

The e-Stewards Standard covers responsible reuse, recycling and disposition of electronic equipment and includes requirements related to data security, downstream due diligence, reuse and refurbishment, environmental management and transboundary movement of electronic waste.

For organizations choosing an electronics recycling or IT asset disposition provider, certification can be one part of the due-diligence process.

What Happens to Electronics After You Recycle Them?

Electronics recycling is not one single mechanical process. What happens next depends on the condition of the equipment, the recycler, the device type and whether components have reuse value.

What Materials Are Recovered From E-Waste?

The material mix depends heavily on the product.

What Happens to Circuit Boards?

Printed circuit boards are among the more material-dense components inside electronics.

After dismantling or mechanical separation, circuit-board material may be sent to specialized processors capable of recovering copper and other metals.

Processes vary by recycler and downstream facility. Boards may undergo additional mechanical concentration before metallurgical treatment or refining.

The important point is that a general electronics recycler does not necessarily perform every recovery step on site. Responsible recycling therefore includes management of the downstream chain, not simply what happens at the first collection building.

What Happens to Old Hard Drives?

A hard drive has two separate forms of value: the information stored on it and the physical materials from which it is made.

If the drive is suitable for reuse, an appropriate sanitization process can render the previous data inaccessible before the drive is tested and placed back into service.

If reuse is not appropriate, the drive can be physically processed after any required data-security procedures. Its aluminum, steel, circuit boards and other materials can then enter downstream recycling streams.

For sensitive business records, the disposition method should be selected according to the organization's security policy rather than assuming that simple file deletion is sufficient.

Can Televisions and Computer Monitors Be Recycled?

Yes, but these products often require dedicated programs.

Flat-panel displays contain glass, plastics, circuit boards, metals and electronic components that require specialized dismantling and processing.

Older cathode-ray-tube, or CRT, televisions and monitors require additional care because CRT glass can contain significant quantities of lead.

Some electronics programs therefore charge a fee for televisions or monitors even when they accept other devices at no charge.

Confirm the program's current policy before bringing a screen or television to a drop-off site.

Can Printers Be Recycled?

Many electronics recyclers accept printers, scanners and multifunction office equipment.

Before recycling a printer, remove paper and personal documents and check whether the recycler wants ink or toner cartridges removed separately.

Some cartridges have separate manufacturer or retailer take-back programs.

Larger commercial copiers and printers may require an appointment, pickup or separate fee because of their size and weight.

Can Cables and Chargers Be Recycled?

Many electronics recyclers accept power cables, chargers and computer wiring along with devices.

Cables contain copper or other conductors surrounded by insulation and can be processed through appropriate wire-recycling systems.

Do not assume, however, that a municipal collection event accepts loose cords simply because it accepts computers. Check the accepted-material list first.

What About Electronics With Built-In Batteries?

Increasing numbers of consumer products contain rechargeable batteries that are difficult or unsafe for consumers to remove.

Examples include:

• Wireless earbuds
• Smartphones
• Thin laptops
• Tablets
• Smartwatches
• Portable speakers
• Electronic toys

If the battery is embedded, keep the device intact unless removal is specifically recommended and can be performed safely.

Tell the recycler that the device contains a battery and follow its handling instructions.

Are Electronics Hazardous Waste?

The answer depends on the equipment, its components, the jurisdiction and whether the electronics come from a household or business.

Electronics can contain materials that require careful end-of-life management. EPA identifies substances historically found in electronics including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and other materials of concern.

State and local requirements also differ, including rules governing electronics disposal, collection and manufacturer responsibility.

For that reason, businesses should not assume that household collection guidance automatically applies to commercial electronics.

How to Choose an Electronics Recycler

Price and convenience matter, but they should not be the only questions.

Before choosing a recycler, consider asking:

• What types of electronics do you accept?
• Do you reuse or refurbish functional equipment?
• How do you handle data-bearing devices?
• How are lithium batteries managed?
• Do you process equipment yourself or send it downstream?
• Can you explain your downstream recycling process?
• Are you currently certified to R2 or e-Stewards, if certification is required?
• Can businesses receive inventory, sanitization or destruction records?
• Are any materials exported, and how are those shipments managed?

For households, these questions may be simplified, but data protection and battery handling still matter.

Electronics Recycling for Businesses

A business electronics program has different needs from cleaning out a household drawer of old phones.

Companies may be disposing of hundreds or thousands of devices containing confidential information, licensed software and company-owned assets.

A formal IT asset disposition process can include:

1. Asset inventory and serial-number capture
2. Secure packing and transportation
3. Chain-of-custody documentation
4. Data sanitization
5. Testing for reuse
6. Resale or redeployment where appropriate
7. Parts harvesting
8. Material recycling
9. Final disposition records

Organizations should establish their security, environmental and reporting requirements before selecting a provider.

Why Lithium Batteries Are Changing Electronics Recycling

The growing number of rechargeable devices has made battery management one of the most important safety issues in electronics and municipal waste systems.

Lithium-ion batteries can retain significant stored energy even when the device appears dead. Crushing, bending, puncturing or short-circuiting a battery can trigger heating or fire.

EPA's analysis of fires linked to consumer lithium-ion batteries identified incidents involving phones, tablets, laptops, hoverboards and other small electronics within the waste-management system.

That is why a device containing a rechargeable battery should be directed toward an electronics or battery program designed to handle it rather than mixed with ordinary recycling.

Where Can I Recycle Electronics Near Me?

Start by identifying the exact device.

Then check:

1. Your municipality or county's electronics recycling program
2. Permanent e-waste drop-off facilities
3. Upcoming community electronics collection events
4. The device manufacturer's take-back program
5. Participating electronics retailers
6. Certified electronics recyclers
7. RecyclingMonster's electronics recycling directory

RecyclingMonster currently lists thousands of electronics recycling locations across the United States and additional facilities in Canada. Use the Electronics Recycling Centers directory to browse facilities, then confirm acceptance directly with the recycler before visiting.

For a specific device or material, use Recycle an Item.

A Simple Electronics Recycling Checklist

The Bottom Line on Electronics Recycling

The most important mistake to avoid is treating electronics like ordinary household recyclables.

Phones, computers, televisions and other devices contain materials worth recovering, but they also contain batteries, data-bearing storage and product-specific components that require specialized management.

A responsible end-of-life decision starts before the device reaches the recycler: determine whether it can be reused, protect your information, manage the battery safely and choose an appropriate collection route.

After collection, a properly managed device may be refurbished for another user or dismantled so metals, plastics, glass and other materials can move into specialized recovery systems.

The goal is not simply to get old electronics out of the house. It is to keep usable equipment in service where practical and direct everything else into a recovery system equipped to manage it safely.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electronics Recycling

Primary Sources and Verification

This guide was reviewed against current electronics, battery, data-security and e-waste guidance available on October 14, 2026.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Electronics Donation and Recycling
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Electronics Basic Information, Research and Initiatives
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Certified Electronics Recyclers
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Used Lithium-Ion Batteries
• National Institute of Standards and Technology — SP 800-88 Rev. 2, Guidelines for Media Sanitization
• Sustainable Electronics Recycling International — R2v3 Standard and R2 Certified Facility Directory
• e-Stewards — e-Stewards Standard
• ITU and UNITAR — Global E-waste Monitor 2024

Last verified: October 14, 2026.