How Do You Recycle Old Electronics? A Step-by-Step Guide

Recycling old electronics is one of the most impactful environmental actions a household or business can take — but it only works if it's done correctly. Done poorly, e-waste leaks toxins into the soil and air; done well, it recovers valuable metals and keeps hazardous materials out of landfills. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide that aligns with guidance from the U.S. EPA, CalRecycle, and NIST.

Step 1: Gather and Sort Your Electronics

Start by collecting everything in one place — phones, laptops, tablets, monitors, printers, cables, chargers, remotes, gaming consoles, small appliances with cords or batteries, and loose batteries themselves. Sort them loosely into categories so you know what you're dealing with:

• Devices that still work (candidates for resale, trade-in, or donation)
• Devices that store personal data (phones, laptops, tablets, external drives, copiers)
• Devices with batteries (especially lithium-ion — these need careful handling)
• Accessories and cables (always recyclable as e-waste)

Step 2: Back Up Anything You Want to Keep

Before wiping a device, transfer photos, documents, and contacts to a new device, an external drive, or cloud storage. Once you start a factory reset, the data is gone — there is no undo.

Step 3: Wipe Your Personal Data

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warns that simply deleting files does not remove them from a device's storage. For real data sanitization, follow NIST Special Publication 800-88 Rev. 1 guidance:

• Phones and tablets: Sign out of all accounts (Apple ID, Google, Samsung), then perform a factory reset. Modern smartphones encrypt data by default, so a reset on a recent device is generally sufficient.
• Laptops and desktops: Use the built-in reset that "removes everything," or run a secure erase utility. For sensitive business data, physical destruction of the drive is the most reliable option.
• Copiers and multifunction printers: These contain internal hard drives that store every document scanned, copied, or printed. Run the manufacturer's secure-erase utility or request certified data destruction.
• External drives and USB sticks: Use a secure-erase tool or physically destroy the drive if it ever held confidential information.

Step 4: Remove Batteries When Safely Possible

Loose lithium-ion batteries are a documented fire risk in waste and recycling trucks, a hazard tracked by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). If a battery is removable (older laptops, power tools, some toys), take it out and tape the terminals before recycling separately. Never puncture or attempt to disassemble a swollen battery — bring it to a certified recycler as-is.

Step 5: Choose a Responsible Recycler

Not all "free recycling" offers are equal. The EPA recommends choosing recyclers certified to CalRecycle-authorized collectors, or — in California — a CalRecycle-authorized collector or recycler. Look for these signs of a legitimate operator:

• A documented zero-landfill policy and downstream chain of custody
• Data destruction following NIST 800-88 guidelines
• Written certificates of recycling and destruction on request
• Compliance with California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act (SB 20)

Step 6: Drop Off or Schedule a Pickup

For small quantities, a drop-off at a local certified facility is usually the simplest option. For larger households cleaning out a garage, or for businesses retiring multiple workstations, a free pickup is more practical. Most certified recyclers — including Urban Electronic Recycling — offer free pickup once you hit a minimum item count (typically 5 or more).

Step 7: Keep Your Documentation

For businesses, retain certificates of recycling and data destruction with your asset records. These documents support compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, FERPA, the FTC Disposal Rule, and California's CCPA when retired equipment ever held regulated data.

What to Avoid

• Never throw electronics in the trash. Under California law, e-waste is classified as universal/hazardous waste and is illegal to dispose of in regular garbage.
• Don't burn devices — informal burning releases lead, mercury, and brominated dioxins.
• Don't strip devices yourself. Solder, glass, batteries, and capacitors can be hazardous.
• Avoid "we'll take anything" curb pickups from unverified scrappers — devices often end up informally dismantled overseas.

Free Pickup and Drop-Off in Southern California

Urban Electronic Recycling is a Corona-based, CalRecycle-authorized collector serving the Inland Empire and Orange County. We provide free pickup for 5+ items, free drop-off Monday–Friday 8 AM – 5 PM, NIST 800-88 data destruction, and a zero-landfill policy. Schedule a free pickup or visit our Corona facility.

Sources: U.S. EPA — Sustainable Management of Electronics; CalRecycle — Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program; NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 1 — Guidelines for Media Sanitization; U.S. Federal Trade Commission — Disposing of Old Computers; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — Lithium-Ion Battery Safety; California Department of Toxic Substances Control — Universal Waste Rule.