Computer and Electronics Disposal and Recycling in California

From the Silicon Valley to San Francisco, and from Los Angeles to San Diego, California is known for its diverse economy and the birthplace of many high-tech industries. Each year, a large amount of outdated computers and electronics equipment are decommissioned. Properly disposing the obsolete hardware is crucial in protecting California’s environment, while helping recovering valuable, reusable materials. At this website, we provide interactive maps of recycling centers across the state to make it easy for consumers and businesses to properly dispose old equipment.

• Finding Computer Recycling Centers

  Since computer hardware becomes obsolete before it no longer works, California homeowners and businesses have to decide how to dispose of equipment no longer in use. Since state law and common sense prohibit simply sending them to the landfill with the other trash, recycling is the best possible option. Not only does it free up your space, but allows the valuable materials in computers and peripherals be recovered and reused. This website is designed to help you find a handy tech recycling center near you.

• Working High-Tech Equipment Can Be Re-Used through Donation

  Not every computer, printer, or mobile device should be sent for recycling. In many cases, working hardware that is of no use to its current owner can find a new purpose or new home where it can continue to be used in valuable ways. On the page at this link, you’ll find multiple ways to repurpose your tech hardware, update it for extended use or donate it to a worthy cause. It’s a great way to keep these items out of the garbage stream and avoid destroying useful equipment.

• Consumer Electronics Need Proper Recycling

  Most households have difficulty dealing with old television equipment, computer game hardware, and other high tech items that are no longer being used. Like computers and monitors, they can’t be disposed of in landfills and contain valuable materials that should be recycled. Our directory of tech recycling centers will lead you to a local company that accepts these items and handles them properly. You’ll recover space and also help keep the environment free of the toxic and hazardous materials electronic devices contain.

• Recycling Tablet Computers and Cell Phones

  Like computers and consumer electronic devices, our cell phones, smart phone, and tablet computers become obsolete long before they stop working. Most of the recycling centers in our directory also accept these items and recycle them to recover valuable materials. In other cases, programs exist that accept them and donate working equipment to people who could otherwise not afford these useful devices. You’ll find plenty of ideas for getting rid of unwanted high-tech handheld devices at this link.

• Safeguard Personal and Business Data before Recycling

  From desktop and portable computers to smart phones and tablets, lots of data is stored in permanent memory and on hard drives in equipment that is taken out of service. It’s crucial to make sure that data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands for consumers and businesses alike. On this page, you’ll find ways to keep that data secure or to remove it completely before sending your equipment off for recycling. Following our tips will give you peace of mind and prevent sensitive data from causing later problems.

• High-Tech Recycling Keeps Hazardous Materials out of the Environment

  Most of us don’t give much thought to what’s inside our computers and other electronic devices. They often contain materials that should not be disposed of where they could escape into the environment. For example, the display screens in older television sets and monitors contain pounds of lead. Circuit boards and other components also contain lead, along with cadmium, chromium and other materials that can create environmental hazards. Proper recycling methods recover these materials for reuse or safe disposal.

• Recovering Precious Metals

  Did you know that over 320 tons of gold and 7,500 tons of silver are used in manufacturing electronic and computer devices every year? Individual computers, cell phones and other equipment don’t contain much of these valuable metals, but recycling can recover it for reuse. Other metals, like aluminum, lead and steel are also recovered when you recycle. Not only does this help pay for the recycling process, it also reduces the impact of mining operations around the world. Learn more at this link.

• Keeping Recyclable Materials out of Landfills

  Throughout the United States, and especially in California, disposing of all types of trash and garbage is creating a crisis. Landfills are the most common method, but those are filling up at an alarming rate, and new properties suitable for waste landfills are scarce. Minimizing the solid waste dumped in these landfills and keeping hazardous trash and waste is important for the future. Recycling and reuse is the best possible way to limit the disposal of solid waste. Recycling your tech hardware helps in this movement.

Recycling Computers, Tablets, Smartphones and Consumer Electronics

This website is created as a public service to California residents and businesses. We are not affiliated with any of the companies listed on this website. If you have questions about recyclable items and fees, please contact the collection companies near you.