Quick answer
Almost anything with a circuit board, plug or battery that’s used for computing or communication can be recycled: computers, laptops, monitors, servers, networking gear, printers, copiers, phones, tablets, UPS units, cables and storage devices. What usually can’t go with e-waste: appliances, anything with Freon or liquid mercury, smoke and CO detectors, ink and toner, fluorescent bulbs, liquids and hazardous materials.
“Can this go?” is the most common question we get before a pick up. Here’s a complete, practical list based on what we accept every day from businesses and schools across Greater Philadelphia.
Electronics you can recycle
Computers and computing equipment
- Desktop computers and towers
- Laptops
- Servers and server racks
- Mainframe and midrange systems
- Terminals
- Motherboards and electronics scrap
- Power supplies
Screens
- Flat-screen computer monitors
- Televisions (fee applies)
- CRT monitors (fee applies)
Networking and communications
- Routers, switches and other networking gear
- Telecommunications equipment and phone systems
- Mobile devices: cell phones, tablets, PDAs, MP3 players
- Fax machines
Office equipment
- Printers and scanners
- Copiers and business machines
- Security equipment
Storage and data devices
- External hard drives and solid state drives
- SD cards, memory cards and card readers
Storage devices hold data. Consider hard drive destruction before they leave your hands.
Peripherals and accessories
- Keyboards, mice, webcams, speakers and microphones
- Cables, wiring and IT accessories
Power
- UPS units and UPS batteries
- Batteries
Other electronics
- Cameras
- Video and audio equipment
- Gaming devices
- Lab and medical electronics
Items most e-waste recyclers can’t take
These items need different disposal routes, usually your municipality’s household hazardous waste program, an appliance recycler or a manufacturer take-back program:
| Not accepted | Why |
|---|---|
| Refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers | Contain Freon/refrigerants |
| Thermostats, thermometers, switches with liquid mercury | Mercury is hazardous |
| Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors | Some contain radioactive or special components |
| Fluorescent bulbs and PCB ballasts | Contain mercury or PCBs |
| Large appliances (stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers) | Handled by appliance/scrap recyclers |
| Small appliances (toasters, vacuums, coffee makers, irons, hair dryers) | Outside the electronics stream |
| Ink, toner and cartridges | Use cartridge take-back programs |
| Gas-powered equipment, propane tanks, liquids | Fire and spill hazards |
| Wet cell batteries, household hazardous waste, radioactive materials | Hazardous materials |
Tips before you recycle
- Make a quick list. Rough counts are fine. It helps us confirm whether your pick up is free. (Pricing explained.)
- Decide about data. Leave drives in for destruction, or tell us they’ve been removed or wiped.
- Keep accepted and not-accepted items apart so the pick up goes quickly.
See the full, up-to-date list on our What We Accept page, or schedule a pick up.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recycle computer cables and chargers?
Yes. Cables, wiring, power supplies and IT accessories are all accepted. They contain copper and other recoverable metals.
Do you take batteries?
We accept batteries and UPS batteries. We can’t take wet cell batteries. Tell us what kind you have when you book.
Do you take printers but not ink cartridges?
Right. Printers, copiers and scanners are accepted, but ink, toner and cartridges aren’t. Many manufacturers and office supply stores have cartridge take-back programs.
Are TVs accepted?
Yes, for a haul-away fee. CRT monitors also carry a fee.
Sources
- Electronics Donation and Recycling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Used Household Batteries, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Written by The E-Waste Haul Away Team
We pick up unwanted computers and electronics from businesses and schools across Greater Philadelphia and make sure they're recycled responsibly through R2-certified partners, with secure handling for anything that holds data. About us
