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How to Recycle Old Electronics (and Clear Your Data First)

Donate, trade in or recycle, but delete your data and pull the batteries first. Here’s the EPA’s checklist for getting rid of old phones, laptops and gadgets.

By SHOP & SPOT EditorsLast reviewed Nov 9, 2026Research-based guide · 2 sources

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An old computer sitting on top of a desk.

Photo: Yuheng Ouyang on Unsplash

This guide is for anyone with an old phone, laptop, tablet or TV to get rid of, especially after upgrading for the holidays.

Old electronics hold two things you don’t want to throw away carelessly: your personal data and batteries that can be hazardous. A few minutes of prep makes donating, trading in or recycling safe.

The quick answer

The EPA’s three steps before you hand anything over:1

  1. Delete all personal information from the device.
  2. Remove any batteries; they may need to be recycled separately.
  3. Choose a donation or recycling option, including programs run by manufacturers and retailers.

Step 1: clear your data

Our advice:

  • Back up anything you want to keep.
  • Sign out of your accounts (cloud, app store, email, streaming).
  • Use the device’s built-in factory reset. For iPhones, follow our guide on wiping an iPhone before selling it.
  • Remove memory cards and SIM cards.

Step 2: take out the batteries

The EPA says to remove batteries from electronics when you can.1 Lithium-ion batteries should never go in household garbage or recycling bins; tape the terminals or bag them before drop-off.2 If the battery is built in, recycle the whole device. More in our battery recycling guide.

Step 3: pick where it goes

Option Best for What to check
Donate Working devices that are only a few years old Whether the charity accepts that kind of device
Trade in Recent phones, tablets and laptops The value offered, and that you’ve wiped the device
Manufacturer or retailer take-back Anything, including broken devices The EPA notes that manufacturers and retailers offer donation and recycling options1
Certified electronics recycler Broken or very old electronics The EPA explains what certification means on its certified recyclers page1

The EPA also lists organizations such as Call2Recycle, Earth911 and Greener Gadgets for finding options, while noting it doesn’t endorse them.1

Before you drop it off

  • Back up, sign out and factory-reset.
  • Remove SIM and memory cards.
  • Take out batteries, or recycle the device whole.
  • Choose donate, trade in or recycle.

Sources & method

How we researched this

  • This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on product test.
  • Every measurement and safety figure is attributed to the source it comes from. Where we give our own advice, we say so.
  • We don’t rank or recommend specific products in this guide.

Sources

  1. Electronics Donation and Recycling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.
  2. Used Household Batteries, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.

Review history

  • Published Nov 9, 2026.