Less than 40% of Us Recycle Old Tech. Some Take Even the Dangerous Route, CNET Finds
Mine iPhone 14 ProPoor battery life forced me to upgrade to a new one smartphone recently. Now the old phone is sitting in my house while I see the plan for it. I can trade it for mine mobile phone provider or donate it to a charity. But the longer I wait, the more new phones come out, like iPhone 17Ewhich devalues my 4 year old phone. I also thought about recycling it.
You may be thinking of trading, donating or throwing away your old smartphone or a tablet. But if you think most US adults recycle their waste responsibly, think again. CNET recently asked 2,638 US adults about their usual plan for getting rid of old technology, and the results are concerning: 22% throw things away and less than half (39%) recycle their devices. Throwing it away may be illegal in your area and, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, contributes to air and water pollution. Donating or recycling your electronic waste is the recommended route.
Other companies, including an appleThey are doing their part to support a sustainable environment by using recycled materials to create new products. Apple said 30% of the materials used in its products shipped last year came from recycled sources. Microsoft uses recycled materials in it Laptops are more and includes additional interchangeable parts.
Based on survey findings, here’s what most US adults do with their old personal technology, and what the typical e-waste system is. We also include a list of recycling facilities to give your old technology a life.
♻️ Less than half (39%) of US adults recycle technology they no longer use. Some US adults keep old devices at home (29%), while 10% don’t know what to do with them.
♻️ 22% of US adults still dispose of old technology in the trash, which is illegal in some states.
♻️ Retailers nationwide, including Best Buy and Staples, offer recycling programs to safely dispose of your unwanted electronics and gadgets.
Only 39% of US adults recycle their old devices
So what do most of us do with the devices we no longer use? CNET found that standard plans vary. You may consider factors such as the device, its condition and your preferences.
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Less than half (39%) of US adults recycle their old devices, with Boomers making up nearly half (48%) of that group. On the other hand, 33% of US adults give away their old technology, while 29% hide these devices at home.
Some US adults look to old technology as a way to make money by trading it in with a dealer (24%) or selling their gadgets online (18%).
There are less desirable ways to dispose of your technology. It’s not a good idea to throw away old technology, but 22% of US adults say they do. Recent CNET findings also show that nearly three in 10 (29%) keep technology at home, with Gen Z making up 40% of this group.
Watch this: Make Money Upgrading Old Tech and Letting a Broken iPhone Go
Selling, donating or recycling your waste is better than polluting the environment with toxins and chemicals found in smartphones and tablets. Throwing one in the trash may seem like the easiest way to get rid of it, but this may be illegal in your area.
E-waste laws have been enacted in 25 states, according to the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse. For example, South Carolina prohibits dumping technology in solid waste landfills. Computer monitors, TVs again printers it must be recycled.
Best Buy and Staples are two of the few stores that accept old personal devices.
Where you can reuse your old technology
Here is a list of dealers where you can recycle or trade in your old smartphones, laptops and other personal technologies. If you’re cutting back on your old gadget disposal, see what recycling options are available from your tech manufacturer, like Apple and HP. Your local recycling and national services, including The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle), Earth911 and Greener Gadgets, also have technology recycling programs to safely dispose of your technology based on your ZIP code.
Amazon Recycling Program
Amazon Recycling Program allows you to trade in suitable devices to save new ones Amazon tech gadget. If your device isn’t compatible, you can drop off your old technology at a participating store, such as Staples. Or you can send it with a free shipping label.
Best Buy
Best Buy allows you to recycle up to three accepted items per household per day for free. It also offers a towing service to dispose of your old technology as a standalone service. Best Buy can remove and recycle up to two large products and unlimited select small products for $200. There are limitations, such as not being able to tow fitness equipment. You can also order a mailbox from Best Buy and fill it to the weight limit with acceptable electronics and ship it to a UPS Store using a prepaid shipping label.
GreenDrop
GreenDrop accepts various technology items on behalf of its non-profit organizations. However, large appliances, cabinet TVs, monitors and medical equipment are not accepted. Call your local GreenDrop about your specific device before dropping it off. Donations are tax deductible.
Smartphone Recycling
Smartphone Recycling is a comprehensive recycling and trading program that allows you to recycle smartphones and tablets. You can ship your old phone, computer and tablet using a FedEx shipping label. Smartphone Recycling can pay you up to $400 for your old devices, including locked and damaged ones.
The basics
You can earn easy Staples Rewards by recycling tech devices online and in store. Points can be used as savings on purchases. Staples also offers mail-in recycling kits to ship your tech starting at around $14, and you can get electronic gift cards when you trade in an eligible device in-store only. There are a few restrictions, and Staples charges a restocking fee.
The target
Target has a trade-in program that allows you to trade in your old technology for a Target eGiftCard based on the value of your device. The gift card can be used at Target stores, Target.com, Target Tech kiosks, Target Optical and retailers within a Target store.
Eligible trade-in items include audio, cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, smart speakers, video game consoles and games, and wearables. The program is only available online.
What to do before throwing away your old technology
Before you recycle, sell or give away your old device, there are a few steps you should take.
First, make sure you back up any important data, such as files and photos, you use cloud storage or i external hard drive. If you have downloaded any software, be sure to note any license keys. Then restore your device to its original state by doing a factory reset. This erases any personal information, software and files by restoring the phone to its original state.
If you plan to donate or recycle your device, check for any special instructions for safely disposing of your e-waste. Some tablets, phones and laptops that use lithium-ion batteries can be a serious fire hazard if damaged or improperly disposed of. The EPA also has a directory that lists hazardous rechargeable batteries and where to dispose of them by ZIP code.
For more ways to get rid of unwanted technology, check out the video below for charities that accept unwanted electronics and what you should know ahead of time. selling your used technology at a fair price.
How to do it
CNET commissioned YouGov PLC to do the research. All figures, unless otherwise stated, come from YouGov PLC. The total sample size was 2,638 adults. The work was conducted on April 10-14, 2026, and the survey was conducted online. Figures are weighted and represent all US adults, age 18 or older.
