Where Can I Dispose of Electronics? 7 Options [2026]

E-waste cannot go in regular trash in most states. California, New York, Illinois, and 22 other states ban electronics from landfills. Even where legal, tossing electronics in the garbage wastes recoverable metals like copper ($3.55/lb), aluminum, and gold.

Your best option depends on the type of electronics, how many items you have, and whether you can transport them yourself.

Best Buy accepts most electronics for free recycling at all 1,000+ U.S. locations. Walk in with your old laptop, phone, tablet, printer, or cables and drop them at the customer service desk.

What Best Buy accepts for free:

• •Laptops, desktops, tablets, e-readers
• •Cell phones, smartwatches, GPS devices
• •Printers, scanners, fax machines
• •Cables, cords, chargers, adapters
• •Keyboards, mice, speakers, headphones
• •Ink and toner cartridges
• •Batteries (rechargeable only)

What costs $29.99 at Best Buy:

• •TVs and monitors 50 inches and under
• •CRT monitors (any size)

Best Buy limits drop-offs to 3 items per household per day. They do not accept TVs over 50 inches, air conditioners, or items containing Freon. For large TVs or bulk e-waste, curbside pickup from Dropcurb is faster and eliminates the trip.

Staples accepts computers, laptops, tablets, phones, and small electronics for free recycling at all U.S. locations. No purchase required.

Staples does not accept TVs, monitors, large appliances, or printers with ink still inside. Their program focuses on portable electronics and accessories. For anything larger, Best Buy or a city e-waste event is a better fit.

Most cities and counties host free electronics recycling drop-off events monthly or quarterly. These events accept everything: TVs, computers, printers, microwaves, and small appliances.

How to find your local e-waste event:

• •Search "[your city] electronics recycling event 2026"
• •Call 311 (available in most major cities)
• •Check your county waste management website
• •Visit earth911.com and enter your zip code
• •Check recyclebycity.com for scheduled events

The downside: events happen on set dates, and lines can be long. If you miss the window, you wait weeks or months for the next one. For same-day disposal, a pickup service eliminates the wait.

In 25 states plus Washington D.C., it is illegal to put electronics in regular trash. Fines range from $25 to $1,000 per violation.

States with e-waste disposal bans include California, New York, Illinois, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. Even in states without bans, most waste haulers refuse electronics in curbside trash bins.

The EPA estimates only 25% of e-waste is recycled properly. The rest ends up in landfills, leaching lead, mercury, and cadmium into soil and groundwater. Recycling is not just legal compliance — a single laptop contains recoverable copper, aluminum, gold, and rare earth metals worth $5-$15 in raw materials.

Several electronics manufacturers run their own recycling programs:

• •Apple: Free trade-in or recycling for any Apple device at any Apple Store. Mail-in also available.
• •Dell: Free recycling for any Dell-branded product. Prepaid shipping labels available online.
• •Samsung: Free recycling for Samsung electronics. Drop off at Best Buy or request a shipping label.
• •HP: Free recycling for HP products through their Planet Partners program.
• •LG: Accepts LG electronics at Best Buy locations for free.

Manufacturer programs work best for single branded items. For mixed electronics from multiple brands, a retail drop-off or curbside pickup is more practical.