If you have at least one (probably more) old laptop, desktop or printer that takes up space in your home office, garbage room, or closet, here are your spring cleaning tips: There are many easy and sustainable options available. Some stores will even give you the credibility of the store because it can uninstall old tech devices, as weird as letting them go.
Recycling computers and printers can simply bring them to major retailers such as Best Buy, Office Depot and Staples. It is illegal to throw away your old equipment and can withdraw large fines in some states, including California. Recycling is a necessary habit to enter. According to a UN report last year, people around the world abandoned gadgets five times as much as recycling.
This story is CNET ZeroThe series records the impacts of climate change and explores what is done to the problem.
Here’s what you need to know about recycling old technologies – and read about how to recycle old phones here.
Before recycling technology
No matter where you choose to reclaim it or mail it for recycling, you need to delete the data as much as possible to protect your data. One way is to perform factory settings on your computer. Our guide takes you through the entire process.
How to Recycle Computers and Printers
Some retail stores will accept computers and printers for recycling, but they are not always free of charge. Policies vary by company.
Apple Store
You can recycle old Apple computers, monitors, and peripherals such as printers for free in the Apple Store, but there is an expensive gain. Under the Apple Free Recycling program, you must also purchase a qualified Apple computer or monitor to receive this service.
Need another option? A third-party company called Gazelle Buy old MacBooks Recycle them. After accepting the quote from the gazelle, you print out the prepaid label or request the prepaid box and then ship the machine to them.
Read more: Phone and laptop repairs are in the mainstream, ifixit is driving a lot
Best Buy Store
Best Buy usually accepts the most free daily recycling of household items, including desktop computers and printers, and other items from e-readers to vacuum cleaners. While most items have three restrictions, laptops have higher standards – Best Buy needs five per day. Note that the rules for putting down the monitor vary from state to state, and it is not always free to do so.
Best Buy also offers mail recycling services for certain items, but this is not free either. A small box with a capacity of up to 6 pounds costs $23, while a large box (up to 15 pounds) costs $30.
Officemax and Office Depot
Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013. The retailer offers a technology transaction program both in-store and online where you can get a store gift card in exchange for an old computer and printer. If the device has no transaction value, the company will recycle it for free.
Office Depot also sells its own technology recycling boxes, which you can fill in electronics for recycling and then get off at the store, but they are not free. this Price of the small box $8.39 And hold 20 pounds; Medium fee $18.29 and hold 40 pounds; and Large cost $28 And hold up to 60 pounds.
Staple food store
You can bring old desktop computers, laptops, printers, etc. to the staple checkout counter, and you can recycle it for free even if they don’t buy it there. The retailer also has a free at-home battery recycling box that, according to representatives, has caused customers to recycle thousands of batteries per week, up from the average of 50 batteries per week.
Here is a list of everything that can be recycled in Staples.
Read more: How to factory reset your MacBook, Windows laptop, or Chromebook
Where to find a technical recycling center
If you don’t live near major retailers, or would rather bring your computer and printer to a recycling center, you can find nearby places using the search tools provided by Earth911 and the Consumer Technology Association.
Earth911 Recycling Center
Use the Recycling Center search feature on Earth911 to find a recycling center near your postal code that can receive laptops, desktops and printers. Note that the results may also start where the phone is accepted instead of the computer or printer, so you may need to do some filtering.
Green gadget recycling center
Consult the Consumer Technology Association’s Green Gadget Recycling Locator to find your local recycling center in your area to adopt old items. The search feature also allows you to filter results to find where you compare your computer to your printer separately.
