Dispose of an Old Laptop or Printer? Here's the Spot for Dropping Off
In today's digital age, the accumulation of old electronics like desktop computers, laptops, and printers is a common occurrence. Fortunately, there are numerous options available for recycling these items, ensuring that harmful components do not end up in landfills.
One such option is Staples, a major retailer that offers free recycling for old electronics at checkout counters, regardless of the location of your purchase. Other retailers like Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot also provide recycling services for electronics.
Best Buy offers a mail-in recycling service for select items, although it comes at a cost. A small box costs $23 and a large box costs $30. For in-store recycling, Best Buy accepts up to five laptops per household per day, along with desktop computers, printers, e-readers, vacuum cleaners, and other items. However, rules for dropping off monitors at Best Buy may vary by state and may not always be free.
Office Depot and OfficeMax, which merged in 2013, offer a tech trade-in program for old computers and printers, both in-store and online. Office Depot's tech recycling boxes can be purchased and filled with electronics for recycling, but they are not free; small boxes cost $8.39, medium boxes cost $18.29, and large boxes cost $28.
A third-party company called Gazelle buys old MacBooks to recycle them, offering a prepaid label or box for shipping. Apple stores offer free recycling for old Apple computers, monitors, and peripherals, but only if you purchase a qualifying Apple computer or monitor.
In Germany, companies like MediaMarktSaturn allow customers to return older computer systems and printers for recycling at their stores nationwide. Deutsche Recycling Service GmbH offers services supporting businesses in taking back and properly recycling electronic devices according to legal requirements.
To protect your data before recycling an old computer, it is essential to perform a factory reset on it. Recycling old devices not only keeps harmful components out of landfills but also frees up space in your home.
A recent survey found that almost a third of US adults still have old, unused electronics at home. To find recycling centers near you, you can use the search tools provided by Earth911 or the Consumer Technology Association's Greener Gadgets Recycle Locator. These tools allow you to filter results to separately hunt for places that take computers versus printers.
Moreover, recycling these devices is often free, and some stores may offer store credit or discounts for eligible devices. Staples, for instance, offers a free at-home battery recycling box that has led customers to recycle thousands of batteries per week.
In conclusion, with the numerous options available for recycling old electronics, there's no excuse for contributing to electronic waste. By choosing to recycle, we can make a significant impact on the environment and ensure a safer, greener future.
