Computer Recycling in New York City, NY
Computers and monitors are e-waste in NYC and cannot go in trash or recycling. Special Waste Drop-Off sites, Community Recycling Events, SAFE events and ecycleNYC buildings take them; manufacturers offer free take-back.
See all 17 options
Check before you go
Not yet confirmed: we couldn’t check this detail against a current source.
- Goodwill NYNJ accepts flat-screen TVs, computer monitors and laptops (factory reset); it does not accept tube TVs or computer towers. (Goodwill NYNJ Donation Guide (PDF) (opens in new tab))
Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- List each device and describe any damage to the operator.
- Back up your files and erase the device using the maker’s instructions.
- Ask whether documented data destruction is offered and what it costs.
New York rules
- New York consumers are required to recycle e-waste such as computers, peripherals, televisions, small-scale servers and small electronic equipment. Source: NYSDEC: Electronic Waste Recycling (opens in new tab)
- Since January 1, 2015, consumers may not put covered electronic equipment in landfills, waste-to-energy plants, the trash or curbside trash pickup. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling Consumer Electronic Waste (opens in new tab)
More New York rules (9)
- ECL 27-2611(3): beginning January 1, 2015, no individual or household may dispose of electronic waste in any solid waste management facility or set it out for disposal collection. Source: NY Environmental Conservation Law 27-2611: Disposal ban (e-waste) (opens in new tab)
- DEC reports 99,198,623 lb of e-waste collected for recycling and reuse in New York in 2025, and over 1.1 billion lb since the program launched in 2011. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling and Composting (opens in new tab)
- Household hazardous wastes are household materials that would be regulated as hazardous waste if generated elsewhere; household-generated HHW is exempt from state and federal hazardous waste rules. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- Residents can take HHW to authorized HHW collection facilities or HHW collection events hosted by counties and municipalities; DEC has a map and list of permitted facilities. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- If there is no permitted facility nearby, check with your municipality for periodic one- or two-day HHW collection events. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- The state Environmental Protection Fund can pay up to 50 percent of the cost of municipal HHW collection programs. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- General Municipal Law 120-aa required every municipality, by September 1, 1992, to adopt a local law requiring source separation of recyclables (paper, glass, metals, plastics, yard waste) where economic markets exist. Source: NY General Municipal Law 120-AA: Source separation and segregation of recyclable or reuseable materials (opens in new tab)
- DEC tells residents to check local guidance to see which items their program accepts. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling Resources (opens in new tab)
- DEC lists New York collection programs for items that belong outside the recycling bin: beverage containers, carpet, cell phones, e-waste, lead-acid vehicle batteries, mercury thermostats, paint, pharmaceuticals, plastic film, rechargeable batteries and tires. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling and Composting (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (44)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- DSNY: SAFE Disposal Events (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- SAFE Disposal Events are held every year in all five boroughs for NYC residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- SAFE events are for NYC residents only; no businesses or commercial vehicles. Proof of residency may be requested. Checked October 26, 2026.
- SAFE events accept e-waste: computers and accessories, TVs and video equipment, cell phones, tablets, e-readers and video game consoles. Checked October 26, 2026.
- All SAFE events run 10 AM to 4 PM, rain or shine. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY: Community Recycling Events (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- Community Recycling Events are held in every Community Board district and are free for NYC residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Accepted e-waste includes computers, peripherals, printers, mobile phones, tablets, TVs, VCRs, DVD and Blu-ray players and video game consoles. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Erase all sensitive data before bringing devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY: ecycleNYC (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- ecycleNYC is a free e-waste collection service for residential buildings with 10 or more units. Checked October 26, 2026.
- ecycleNYC collects computers, laptops, keyboards, printers, game consoles, cell phones, TVs, VCRs, DVD players and DVRs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Buildings apply online; DSNY then arranges training or a building visit. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY: Special Waste Drop-Off (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- Special Waste Drop-Off sites are for NYC residents only, with no businesses or commercial vehicles; proof of residency may be requested. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Special Waste sites accept e-waste with its cords and cables. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Drop-off is do-it-yourself; DSNY staff can help. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY: Electronics and E-Waste (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- DSNY lists televisions and computers (desktops, laptops, monitors) as e-waste and names Special Waste Drop-Off sites as a disposal option. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY: it is illegal to dispose of certain electronic devices with trash or recycling in NYC. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY lists retail or nonprofit drop-off, Community E-Waste Events, Special Waste sites, SAFE events, ecycleNYC and manufacturer take-back as the ways to get rid of e-waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Big Reuse: Big Reuse Centers (opens in new tab) · Big Reuse
- Big Reuse's Gowanus Reuse Center is at 1 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215, open daily 10 AM to 7 PM, with donation drop-off ending at 5 PM. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Big Reuse: Material Donations (opens in new tab) · Big Reuse
- Big Reuse recycles non-working electronics: batteries, cellphones, printers, keyboards, computers, network gear, TVs and DVD players/stereos. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Goodwill NYNJ: Donate Goods (opens in new tab) · Goodwill NYNJ
- Goodwill NYNJ says all of its stores accept donations of clothing, shoes, accessories, household goods and other items. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Goodwill NYNJ Donation Guide (PDF) (opens in new tab) · Goodwill NYNJ
- Goodwill NYNJ electronics donations must work and may be tested before acceptance. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Goodwill NYNJ accepts flat-screen TVs, computer monitors and laptops (factory reset); it does not accept tube TVs or computer towers. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · not yet confirmed.
- NYSDEC: Electronic Waste Recycling (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- The NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act (ECL Article 27, Title 26) requires manufacturers to provide free and convenient e-waste recycling to most consumers in the state. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Eligible for free recycling: individuals, businesses with fewer than 50 full-time employees, nonprofits with fewer than 75, 501(c)(3)s, schools and government entities located in New York. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For-profit businesses with 50 or more full-time employees and nonprofits with 75 or more may be charged. Checked October 26, 2026.
- New York consumers are required to recycle e-waste such as computers, peripherals, televisions, small-scale servers and small electronic equipment. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Recycling Consumer Electronic Waste (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Manufacturers must take back their own brands free, or one piece of covered equipment from another manufacturer when the consumer buys the same type; DEC lists registered manufacturers and their take-back websites. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEC lists registered electronic equipment manufacturers with their brands, take-back websites and toll-free numbers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEC publishes a county-sorted list of registered e-waste collection sites; call ahead because a site may not take your type or brand. Checked October 26, 2026.
- A collection site not affiliated with a manufacturer program may charge a fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Collection may be at retail stores, nonprofits or municipal facilities, by prepaid mail-back, or at collection events; manufacturers need not have a site in every community. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Any consumer may be charged for premium services such as at-home collection, data wiping or refurbishment. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Covered computers include desktops, laptops, all-in-ones, tablets, e-readers, notebooks and smart watches. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Covered computer peripherals include keyboards, mice, external hard drives, monitors over 4 inches and printers under 100 lb. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Since January 1, 2015, consumers may not put covered electronic equipment in landfills, waste-to-energy plants, the trash or curbside trash pickup. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NY Environmental Conservation Law 27-2605: Manufacturer responsibilities (e-waste) (opens in new tab) · New York State Senate (Open Legislation)
- ECL 27-2605: manufacturers bear all program costs and may not charge consumers for collection and recycling (except business consumers and premium services). Checked October 26, 2026.
- NY Environmental Conservation Law 27-2611: Disposal ban (e-waste) (opens in new tab) · New York State Senate (Open Legislation)
- ECL 27-2611(3): beginning January 1, 2015, no individual or household may dispose of electronic waste in any solid waste management facility or set it out for disposal collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Recycling and Composting (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- DEC reports 99,198,623 lb of e-waste collected for recycling and reuse in New York in 2025, and over 1.1 billion lb since the program launched in 2011. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEC lists New York collection programs for items that belong outside the recycling bin: beverage containers, carpet, cell phones, e-waste, lead-acid vehicle batteries, mercury thermostats, paint, pharmaceuticals, plastic film, rechargeable batteries and tires. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Household hazardous wastes are household materials that would be regulated as hazardous waste if generated elsewhere; household-generated HHW is exempt from state and federal hazardous waste rules. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents can take HHW to authorized HHW collection facilities or HHW collection events hosted by counties and municipalities; DEC has a map and list of permitted facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If there is no permitted facility nearby, check with your municipality for periodic one- or two-day HHW collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The state Environmental Protection Fund can pay up to 50 percent of the cost of municipal HHW collection programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NY General Municipal Law 120-AA: Source separation and segregation of recyclable or reuseable materials (opens in new tab) · New York State Senate (Open Legislation)
- General Municipal Law 120-aa required every municipality, by September 1, 1992, to adopt a local law requiring source separation of recyclables (paper, glass, metals, plastics, yard waste) where economic markets exist. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Recycling Resources (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- DEC tells residents to check local guidance to see which items their program accepts. Checked October 26, 2026.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.
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