Do you have an old one? laptop, desktop or printer does it take up space? There are many easy and sustainable options for their removal. Some sites will even give you credit for recycling your old tech.
Disposing of such items can be as simple as taking them to major retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot, and Staples—and dumping your old devices is actually illegal and can attract hefty fines in some states, including California.
It's a necessary habit to get into, too. According to A Procrastination published earlier this year, people around the world throw away about five times more gadgets than they recycle.
Here's what you need to know about recycling your old technology.
Read more: Why our gadgets aren't being recycled enough and how you can help
What to do before recycling your computer
Wherever you choose to take or send your recyclables, you'll want to make sure you protect your data by disposing of it as best you can before doing so. One way to do this is to perform a factory reset on your computer. Our guide talks you through the process.
Computer and printer recycling retailers
Some retail stores accept computers and printers for recycling, but it's not always a free service. Policies vary by company.
Apple
You can recycle your old Apple computers, monitors and peripherals, such as printers, for free in the Apple Store, but there is a lot of expensive work. According to Apple Free Recycling program, to receive this service, you must also purchase a qualification Apple computer or monitor. Need another option? A third company called Gazelle buy old MacBooks to recycle them. Once you accept Gazelle's offer, you print a prepaid label or request a prepaid box and ship the machine to them.
Read more: Phone and laptop repair is going mainstream, with a big push from iFixit
Best buy
Best Buy generally accepts up to three household items per person per day to be recycled for free, and this includes desktop computers and printers, as well as other items, ranging from e-readers to vacuum cleaners. While three is the limit for most items, there's a higher standard for laptops — Best Buy will take five of them per household per day. Note that monitor firing rules vary by state and it's not always free.
Best Buy also offers a recycling service by mail for certain items, but it's also not free. A small box that holds up to 6 pounds costs $23, while a large box (up to 15 pounds) costs $30.
Office Depot and OfficeMax
Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013. Retailers offer a technology trade in program both in-store and online where customers may be able to receive a store gift card in exchange for their old computers and printers. If the device has no commercial value, the company will recycle it for free.
Office Depot also sells its own tech recycling boxes that you can fill with electronics to recycle and then drop off at the stores, but they're not free. On small boxes cost $8.39 and hold up to 20 pounds; on medium ones cost $18.29 and hold up to 40 pounds; and on great price $28 and hold up to 60 pounds.
Staples
You can bring your old desktops, laptops, printers and more to the Staples checkout counter to be recycled for free, even if they weren't purchased there. The retailer also has a new free battery recycling box at home, which, according to a representative, has led to customers recycling thousands of batteries a week, up from the previous average of 50 batteries a week. Here it is list of all things recyclable at Staples.
Read more: How to factory reset a MacBook, Windows laptop, or Chromebook
How to find tech recycling centers
If you don't live near a major retailer or prefer to take your computers and printers to a recycling center, you can locate places near you by using the search tools provided by Earth911 and the Consumer Technology Association.
Earth911
Use it recycling center search feature on Earth911 to find recycling centers near your zip code that accept laptops, desktops and printers. Note that results may also appear in some accepting sites mobile phones and not computers or printers, so you may need to do a little filtering.
CTA Greener Gadgets
Consult the Consumer Technology Association's Greener Gadgets Recycling locator find local recycling centers in your area that will take old items. The search function also allows you to filter the results to separately look for places taken up by computers versus printers.