Staples Recycle Computers For Free
There’s a good chance you have some old tech in your home or office that you need to get rid of, but the process can be intimidating. From frustrating fees to small windows of opportunity through town recycling days, it can be easy to practice the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” method of discarding electronics and instead bury them deep in the junk drawer or basement. Luckily, national retailers like Staples have made it easier than ever to recycle your old devices and office supplies.
The answer is yes, Staples accepts a wide range of technology (excluding TVs and large appliances) for their free electronics recycling program regardless of where it was originally purchased or its condition. The company also offers a paid trade-in program for working devices that can be used to buy new technology or other items at the retailer.
To participate in the free electronics recycling program, simply bring your outdated technology to any Staples store. The store will inspect the item and then place it in an employee-only area for storage until it’s time to be shipped to a national recycling partner. Once there, the electronics are sorted based on their potential for refurbishing or parts harvesting. If your device contains a hard drive, you will need to ensure that all data is securely erased using a software tool or by physically erasing the drive before bringing it in for recycling.
Does Staples Recycle Computers For Free?
After all of the electronics have been sorted, any that can be refurbished or salvaged for parts are moved to the retail store where they’re sold. The rest of the electronics are sent to a national recycling facility where they’re sorted and responsibly recycled by e-Stewards certified recyclers.
Aside from the electronics recycling program, Staples also offers a program for empty ink and toner cartridges that pays you $2 back in Staples Rewards per cartridge. You can either bring your empty cartridges to a Staples store or request a free shipping label online and send them in.
It’s worth noting that although Staples will ensure any devices containing data are wiped of all information, you should still use a software tool or physically erase the hard drive to be completely safe before sending your device in for recycling. Also, be sure to cancel any software licenses on your old free computer recycling near me before bringing it in for recycling to avoid paying for services that you no longer need.
While the list of what Staples will and won’t recycle is pretty extensive, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, the company will not take in televisions, large appliances, bulbs and lamps, or smoke detectors. You can view the full list of eligible and excluded items through their Technology trade-in page. To get started, visit the page to find your device, answer a few questions, and receive a quote.