How to Recycle an Old Laptop

Reconnect is a joint venture between Dell andThe hard drive can be turned into a cheap external
Goodwill Industries. This program allows you to dropUSB device for backup or extra storage by
off most computers and electronics equipment atpurchasing a USB hard drive enclosure. Other parts
select Goodwill locations for free. The areas andlike memory modules, DVD drive, and even LCD
locations where the Reconnect program is currentlymight have some value. Do a quick search on eBay
available are a bit limited, so check the website foror craiglist to see if parts from your laptop might be
locations.selling for a worthwhile price.
Apple will recycle your old laptop for free if you buyDell will recycle all laptops for free with a purchase of
a new Mac. If you are a resident of Texas,a new Dell computer, and they'll recycle your Dell
Oklahoma, or Virginia, Apple will recycle your usedlaptop at anytime for free. You may also choose to
laptop for free. Other residents of the U.S. anddonate your laptop. Dell has partnered with the
Canada can recycle there equipment without a newNational Cristina Foundation to provide used
purchase for a $30 fee. This fee includes the shippingcomputers to disabled and economically
of the laptop to an Apple recycling partner.disadvantaged children.
HP will recycle HP and Compaq branded laptops forLaptop Accessories(computer parts,computers
free. They will accept other brand laptops for a feeaccessories,pc components )
(typically $10) and even pick the item up at yourOffice Depot offers Tech Recycling boxes at
home for additional $10.Best Buy will take your laptopparticipating stores. The boxes come in three sizes
for $10 and give you a $10 gift card in exchange.and range in price from $5-$15. You can pick up a
They won’t accept computers with the hardbox at Office Depot, fill it with qualifying equipment,
drive, so you’ll need to remove it first, or haveand return it to the store for recycling.Staples’
Geek Squad do it for $19.99. They also offer aEcoEasy program allows you to recycle Dell products
trade-in program for select “gently used”for free at any participating store, or other brand
laptops that were purchased at Best Buy. You’llitems for $10.Earth911 and MyGreenElectronics.org
need to be the original purchaser, have a valid ID andcompile comprehensive databases of local recycling
a receipt. They do mention that if you don’tprograms. Try searching your area for a local
have the receipt they will “make every effort torecycling center.
locate it for you.Sell it on eBay or craigslist. It you decide to go this
Find a friend or family member that might beroute, be sure to properly run a low level format tool
interested in a used laptop. Just as in Step 1, youor disk eraser utility on the hard drive first. Simply
need to run a low level format tool or disk eraserformatting a hard drive does not ensure that
utility first to ensure data is properly purged.Sell orsomeone with the proper recovery tools couldn't still
reuse some of the parts. If you’re comfortablerecover your files.
taking apart a laptop it might be worth your while toFinally,you can choose to donate it to a church or
sell some of the parts on eBay and reuse others.non-profit organization.