Back up what you need, sign out of accounts, erase personal data, and remove loose batteries only when the manufacturer allows it. Use a manufacturer, retailer, local e-waste program, or reputable electronics recycler—never a curbside bin unless your program explicitly permits it.
Choose the route by condition
| What you have | Best first call |
|---|---|
| Working device | Reuse or trade-in usually preserves more value than material recycling. |
| Computer or phone | Erase data and remove account or activation locks. |
| TV or monitor | Ask about screen type, size limits, and fees. |
| Swollen or damaged battery | Do not mail or place in a drop box; get hazardous-battery instructions. |
Prepare it before you load
- Back up files and transfer authentication methods.
- Factory-reset the device and remove SIM or memory cards.
- Keep lithium batteries and terminals protected from short circuits.
- Record the recycler, date, and receipt for business equipment.
Data security and fire safety come first
Deleting a few files is not the same as securely erasing a device. Follow the manufacturer's reset process, sign out of cloud services, and remove the device from your account. Businesses may need a documented media-destruction process rather than a consumer drop-off receipt.
Lithium-ion batteries can be damaged by crushing equipment and can start fires in collection trucks and sorting facilities. Never put an electronic device or loose rechargeable battery into a recycling cart unless the local program specifically tells you to. If a battery is hot, swollen, punctured, or leaking, isolate it from combustible material and ask the fire authority or HHW program for instructions.
This guide explains the decision. The finder provides nearby research leads from public records. A listed place is not a promise that it accepts this material today.
Common mistakes
- Putting lithium batteries in a curbside cart
- Donating a locked device with personal data
- Mailing a damaged battery
- Assuming every store accepts televisions
Questions to ask before the trip
- Do you accept this device and screen size?
- Are batteries included or handled separately?
- Is there a fee or quantity limit?
- Can you provide a receipt or destruction record?
Do not transport a leaking, reacting, smoking, unstable, or unknown hazardous item based only on a web guide. Move away from immediate danger and contact local emergency or hazardous-waste staff.
Sources and review notes
Reviewed August 4, 2026. We use primary government and program sources where available. Links open the current publisher page; local rules can change after our review.