Where to properly dispose of laptops, cell phones and more in Pittsburgh

When it’s time to upgrade your electronics to the latest model, it can be hard to know where to get rid of the old ones in Pittsburgh.

Some people sell them or store them in a box in a closet. Others toss their old devices in their curbside bin, piling up in landfills — which can leach harmful chemicals into the local environment, not to mention it may be illegal. 

Luckily, residents can do something about their old electronics and keep them out of the city’s waste stream.

There are over six places in the Pittsburgh region and regular collection events citywide for residents to drop off their old electronics, helping them to be recycled and reused into new materials and electronics. 

Here’s a guide to places in the Pittsburgh region where you can responsibly dispose of old electronics.

What role does the City of Pittsburgh play in reducing e-waste?

E-waste is quickly becoming the largest growing stream of municipal waste in the world. Pittsburgh’s ambitious plan to reach a city-wide 90% waste diversion rate by 2030 aims to tackle the forgotten electronics in the city’s landfills and redirect them to be recycled and reused.

The city’s Roadmap to Zero Waste, released in 2017, outlines a few ideas for how the city can keep its e-waste out of its landfills and into better hands. It sets out to expand electronic waste disposable options and build a local transfer station to serve as a one-stop shop and permanent drop-off location for hard-to-recycle materials.

In 2010, the city made a significant change to its waste stream by banning the disposal of covered electronics, such as TVs and computers, with the introduction of the Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA). The act aska residents to properly dispose of their devices within the right channels and those who violate this rule could be fined up to $2,000.

How does Pittsburgh make e-waste recycling available to residents?

To make e-waste recycling more available to residents under the CDRA, the city hosts regular collection events for hard-to-recycle materials like electronics through its program in partnership with the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC). 

Residents have to register for these collection events. While it is free to register, it does cost $0.32 per pound to recycle items. Most electronics and devices are accepted at these events, such as TVs, computer monitors, cellphones, cables and even batteries. 

In 2023, Pittsburgh properly recycled over 62 tons of e-waste through this program, serving over 2,000 residents across the region. Residents can stay up to date on the latest schedule and locations for these events on PRC’s website.

For even more accessible options, there are also several Best Buy and Goodwill locations across Pittsburgh that will accept drop-offs for e-waste recycling at no cost.

What is e-waste?

E-waste, short for “electronic waste,” is unwanted or discarded pieces of electronics, such as old cell phones, computers and even kitchen appliances. While some devices are no longer functional, many are still working or salvageable electronics that could otherwise be repaired, donated or resold.

In 2019, Americans generated over 6.9 million tons of e-waste, but only 15% of it was recycled. Despite piling up in our landfills and its inability to decompose, e-waste can be especially dangerous to our environment due to the toxic chemicals found within electronics. 

Why is recycling e-waste through the proper channels so important? 

The typical single-stream system of putting all household recycling in a curbside bin every week isn’t enough to process e-waste properly. E-waste is categorized as “hazardous waste” due to the dangerous materials found in electronics like mercury and lead. 

These toxic materials require a specialized disposal process to prevent environmental and health risks to communities. When improperly disposed of, they can leak into the soil below landfills, also known as “leaching,” which can pollute the soil, groundwater and freshwater nearby. Leaching can not only pollute drinking water from natural wells but it also harms local wildlife.  

E-waste doesn’t just contain harmful materials. It also contains precious materials like gold and copper, which can be recovered and reused to make new products.

For example, big tech company Dell Technologies has its own recovery and recycling services where it refurbishes and repairs older electronics while recovering and reusing any materials (including plastic) from out-of-use tech to make into new devices.

Why does it cost money to recycle e-waste?

Properly recycling e-waste is more than just emptying your trash into a bin. It’s an intricate process requiring specialized equipment and staff to properly handle materials and hazardous chemicals in the electronics. 

For example, some devices like old computer monitors require an additional method to safely recycle because toxic components can pose a risk to employees.

Some companies also charge for data wiping and removal from devices before shredding or recycling to protect customer privacy. This is especially helpful for businesses or commercial spaces looking to recycle old computers or hardware and want to protect sensitive data. 

Some companies like LoadUp Junk Removal will pick up your recycling from your doorstep or business, taking it off your hands for a small fee. Some electronic store chains, like Staples, will also take in your unwanted e-waste for free and even give a discount on future purchases. 

What’s the process for recycling e-waste?

The process for recycling e-waste depends on the electronics and the service the facility offers. However, the standard process starts with sorting the different components, such as metals, plastics and hazardous materials. Then, the metals are smelted down to be reused, plastics are recycled and hazardous materials are safely disposed of.

Some companies also offer repair services and will give old electronics a new life. They also may provide data destruction or wiping services, which they’ll do before repairing or recycling. 

What types of e-waste can usually be recycled?

Most electronics can be recycled through the proper recycling centers, including:

• Cellphones 
• Computers/laptops/monitors
• CD/DVD players 
• Gaming systems and equipment
• Keyboards and mice 
• Printers
• Small kitchen appliances, like toasters or microwaves
• Stereos
• Tablets
• TVs
• Rechargeable batteries 

However, it’s important to check with your local center about the materials they accept. Some facilities don’t accept materials like batteries, lightbulbs, air conditioners and refrigerators.

How can we generate less e-waste?

One of the most important steps to reducing e-waste is being mindful of electronic consumption. For instance, you can extend the life of your devices by opting to repair them rather than buy brand-new ones.

Plus, most electronics, like cell phones and laptops, can be easily refurbished and updated to work longer. Consider buying pre-owned or refurbished devices rather than new ones, which tend to be cheaper than brand-new models. 

Another great way to generate less e-waste is to encourage your company to properly recycle its e-waste. Some companies, like Evolution E-Cycling and CyberCrunch, will accept or pick up commercial and large-scale e-waste from businesses, keeping thousands of pounds of e-waste out of landfills.