How to Recycle Your Electronic Devices

Remove any sensitive personal information from the device before recycling it. Formatting a hard drive, internal storage space or memory card removes any personal data that could otherwise be potentially recovered by an unauthorized user.

Destroy the vulnerable storage media if you are unable to format it. For a computer, remove and destroy the hard drive before recycling. In some cases you may be able to retain the hard drive and put it in a new computer, thereby removing any security vulnerabilities when recycling the old machine.

Contact the EPA for information on specialist recycling centers (see Resources). While some recycling centers take anything, others do not accept electrical or electronic devices. Specialist centers often deal specifically with electronics, and can offer a degree of data protection assurance. These centers are also better equipped to maximize the recycling process for electronic devices, stripping out valuable materials and reusing as many working components as possible.

Check with local charity stores to see if they accept electronic devices as donations. Some charities do not accept them due to the difficulties of selling potentially faulty goods, though others do accept them if you demonstrate that the device works.

Check with a store or vendor about their recycling policies when replacing an electronic device. Many companies, such as cellphone providers, will take your old phone in part exchange when buying a new one. Even if the company does not offer a cash exchange, it will often have access to a specialist recycling facility that is equipped to deal with the type of device you are replacing.

Reuse your electronic device for a different -- or more specific -- purpose if it is still operational. Reusing is the purest form of recycling, and can significantly extend the life of an electronic device. Reuse an old MP3 player as a portable flash drive, for example, or keep an old cellphone in your car for emergencies. Use old computers as media players or purely for email or Web surfing, which requires little in the way of processing power but is still a useful, valuable function.