Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the WORLD! & many people do not realize how harmful it can be when thrown into the trash. Old chargers, broken cords, outdated electronics, & unused devices often contain valuable recyclable materials like copper, aluminum, & precious metals that can be recovered & reused. When e waste ends up in landfills, these materials are lost & harmful substances can leach into the environment. Recycling e waste helps reduce pollution, conserves natural resources, & keeps reusable materials in circulation instead of requiring more mining & manufacturing. Also keeps the cost down for new electronics (peep Apples documentary about how they’re starting to use 85%+ recycle e waste to make their newer devices)
Here are some retailers that will take your old, broken e waste (for free) & recycle it responsibly!
BESTBUY- one of the most accessible options for electronics recycling nationwide. Most locations accept cables, chargers, adapters, & small electronics through in store recycling programs. Most stores have a bin in the exit or entrance wing of the store (but if they don’t just take it to the geek squad or customer service & they will recycle it for you)
STAPLES- is another convenient choice & commonly accepts USB cords, charging cables, adapters, & other small tech accessories for free recycling. They even take empty printer jnk cartridges (& give you points for them if you have a staples account!)
OFFICE DEPOT- also offers technology recycling services at many of its stores, including recycling programs for cords & electronic accessories. They even take empty printer ink cartridges (& give you cash back for them if you have an Office Depot account! I’ve made hundreds $$$ recycling my old cartridges there)
VERIZON- also has a recycling option for old mobile devices, chargers, & cables through their in store collection programs
APPLE STORES- allows customers to recycle Apple chargers, cables, & many electronic devices as part of their sustainability & trade in initiatives. *but you can only bring in old/broken Apple products in order for them to take them
If you do not have a local e waste recycling center nearby, there are also several online recycling programs that allow you to mail in broken cords, chargers, & electronics for proper recycling.
TerraCycle- offers Zero Waste Boxes specifically designed for electronic waste. People can fill a prepaid box with cords, chargers, cables, & small electronics, then ship it back for recycling.
Decluttr- allows users to send in certain electronics for resale or recycling. While they focus more on reusable tech, they may accept accessories & cords depending on the item.
GreenDisk- has a mail in recycling program called TechnoTrash where people can ship cords, cables, chargers, disks, & small electronics for responsible recycling.
Call2Recycle- offers battery & electronics recycling programs & can help users locate mail in or drop off options for cords & chargers.
Recycle From Home- provides prepaid mail back boxes for electronic waste, including tangled cords, chargers, adapters, & small devices.
Dell Reconnect- who partners with Goodwill, allows people to ship or drop off electronics & accessories for recycling & reuse efforts.
