I am ready to bet that you have at least an old laptop, desktop computer or printer in your home which takes up space in an office or a cupboard. Although it can be difficult to let go of them, there are many easy and lasting options for their elimination. Some stores will even give you credit to unload your old technology.
The recycling of such items can be as simple as bringing them to major retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot and Staples. Throwing your old devices is illegal and can lead to large fines in certain states, including in California. Recycling is a habit necessary to enter. According to a UN report last year, people around the world throw more gadgets than recycling.
This story is part of CNET ZEROA series that recounts the impact of climate change and explores what is done on the problem.
Here is what you need to know about recycling your old technology.
Find out more: Why our gadgets are not sufficiently recycled and how you can help
Before recycling your technology
Wherever you choose to take or send your items to be recycled, you will want to protect your data by deleting it as best you can. One way to do so is to reset factory on your computer. Our guide guides you throughout the process.
Where to recycle printers and computers
Some retail stores will accept computers and printers for recycling, but it is not always a free service. Policies vary depending on the company.
Apple
You can recycle your former Apple computers, monitors and peripherals, such as printers, free of charge in an Apple Store, but there is an expensive socket. According to the Free recycling Apple Program, you must also buy an Apple computer or an eligible instructor to receive this service.
Need another option? A third -party company called Gazelle Buy old macbooks To recycle them. After accepting Gazelle’s offer, you print a prepaid label or ask for a prepaid box and ship the machine.
Find out more: The repair of phones and laptops goes the dominant current, with a large Ifixit thrust
Best purchase
The best purchase generally accepts until Three household items By household per day to be recycled free of charge, including office computers and printers, as well as other elements ranging from electronic readers to vacuum cleaners. While three is the limit for most items, there is a higher standard for laptops – Best Buy will take five per day per day. Note that the rules for deleting monitors vary depending on the state, and it is not always free to do so.
Best Buy also offers a recycling service by mail For some articles, but it is not free either. A small box that contains up to 6 pounds costs $ 23, while a large box (up to 15 pounds) costs $ 30.
OfficeMax, office deposit
Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013. The retailers offer a technological trade Program in store and online where you may be able to get a store card card in exchange for your former computers and printers. If the device has no transaction value, the company will recycle it free of charge.
Office Depot also sells its own technological recycling boxes that you can fill with electronics to be recycled, then drop in stores, but they are not free. THE Small boxes cost $ 8.39 and hold up to 20 pounds; THE The means cost $ 18.29 and hold up to 40 pounds; and the Significant cost $ 28 And keep up to 60 pounds.
Staples
You can bring your former office computers, laptops, printers and more to the Staples payment counter to be recycled for free, even if they were not purchased. The retailer also has a free home battery recycling box which, according to a representative, led customers to recycle thousands of batteries per week, against an earlier average of 50 per week.
Here is a list From anything that can be recycled at Staples.
Find out more: How to reset the factory of a MacBook, a Windows laptop or a Chromebook
How to find technological recycling centers
If you do not live near a large retailer or if you prefer to take your computers and printers to a recycling center, you can locate places near you using search tools provided by Earth911 and the Consumer Technology Association.
Earth911
Use it Recycling center search On Earth911 to find recycling centers near your postal code that accept laptops, office computers and printers. Note that the results can also acquire places that accept mobile phones and not computers or printers, so you may have to do some filtering.
Green gadgets
Consult the greener gadgets of the Association of Consumer Technologies Recycling To find local recycling centers in your region which will take old articles. The search function also allows you to filter the results to drive out the places that take computers compared to the printers separately.
