A used charger is an electronic device that no longer works or that you no longer need, and it contains materials that can harm the environment if thrown in the trash

Chargers — whether for phones, laptops, power tools, or other devices — contain metals like copper, gold, and cobalt, plus plastic and sometimes batteries. When a charger stops working or you replace it with a newer model, throwing it in the garbage sends those materials to a landfill, where they can leak into soil and water. Recycling a used charger recovers those metals so they can be made into new products instead.

The reason this matters to you is practical: most communities have rules about where electronics can go, and breaking those rules can mean a fine. Beyond that, recycling is usually free or nearly free, while landfill disposal creates a real environmental cost that eventually affects water quality, air quality, and the resources available to make new devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Used chargers contain valuable metals and should not go in regular trash or curbside recycling bins.
  • Most retailers that sell chargers — Best Buy, Staples, and many electronics stores — will take old chargers back for free.
  • Your city or county waste management website lists local e-waste drop-off locations, many of which accept chargers at no cost.
  • Mail-back programs exist for people without nearby drop-off options, though some charge a small fee.
  • Chargers that still work can be donated to thrift stores, schools, or community centers instead of recycled.

Where to take a used charger near you

The fastest option is usually a retail store. Best Buy takes chargers and most other small electronics at the customer service desk, no purchase necessary. Staples, Office Depot, and many local electronics shops do the same. Call ahead if you want to confirm, but most major retailers have accepted this as standard practice.

If you do not have a nearby retailer, search your city or county name plus "e-waste drop-off" or "electronics recycling" on your local government website. Most counties run a collection site — often at the landfill itself, at a waste transfer station, or at a designated community location — that accepts chargers and other electronics for free. Some sites operate year-round; others run on specific days. The website will tell you hours, location, and what items they take.

A third option is a mail-back program. Earth911 and Call2Recycle both maintain searchable databases of recyclers who accept chargers by mail. Some charge a small fee (usually $5 to $15) to cover shipping and processing; others are free. This route makes sense if you have no local option or if you are recycling multiple devices at once.

What happens to your charger after you drop it off

At a recycling facility, your charger goes through a process called e-waste processing. Workers sort it by type, then machines shred it into small pieces. Magnets separate the metals from the plastic. The copper, gold, cobalt, and other metals are sold to manufacturers who use them to make new chargers, circuit boards, and other electronics. The plastic is either melted down for new plastic products or, if it cannot be reused, disposed of more carefully than it would be in a landfill.

This process recovers roughly 95 percent of the material in an electronic device. The remaining 5 percent — usually contaminated plastic or materials that are too mixed to separate — goes to a landfill, but the volume is far smaller than if you had thrown the whole charger away.

Chargers that still work: donation instead of recycling

If your charger works but you no longer need it, donation is a better choice than recycling. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other thrift stores accept chargers and sell them cheaply. Schools, libraries, and community centers often take donations too. Some charities that refurbish computers and phones specifically look for chargers to pair with donated devices.

Before you donate, test the charger if you can. A charger that does not work should go to a recycler, not a thrift store, because the store will have to throw it away anyway. If it works, include a note about what device it charges (iPhone, Samsung, Dell laptop, etc.) so the next person knows whether it will fit their equipment.

Why chargers should not go in curbside recycling

Many people assume that because chargers are electronic, they belong in the blue bin with paper and plastic. They do not. Curbside recycling equipment is designed for paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles — not for electronics. When a charger enters the recycling stream, it can jam the sorting machinery, damage the equipment, or injure workers who handle it.

Some chargers contain rechargeable batteries, which can overheat or catch fire if crushed by machinery. Even chargers without batteries can cause problems because they are small and hard to sort. The safest and most effective route is always a dedicated e-waste program or retailer, not curbside pickup.

Chargers with batteries: special handling

Chargers that have a built-in battery — like some portable phone chargers or solar chargers — need extra care. These should never go in regular recycling or trash because the battery can leak chemicals or catch fire in a landfill or recycling truck. Take them to a retailer or e-waste facility that specifically handles batteries, or use a mail-back program that accepts battery-containing devices.

If you are unsure whether your charger has a battery, look at the device itself. If it is thick, heavy, or has a power button and a display, it likely contains a battery. When in doubt, call the retailer or facility before you drop it off and describe what you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I throw a charger in the trash if nothing else is available?

Not ideally — chargers contain materials that can contaminate soil and water. However, if you have truly exhausted all other options, a charger in the trash is less harmful than a charger in curbside recycling, which can damage equipment. Keep looking for a drop-off location; most people are within 10 miles of one.

Do I have to erase data from a charger before recycling it?

No. Chargers do not store data. If you are recycling a phone or laptop along with the charger, then yes — wipe the device itself before dropping it off. But the charger itself contains no personal information.

Will a retailer take a charger if I did not buy it there?

Yes. Best Buy, Staples, and most electronics retailers accept chargers from any brand and any source. They do not require a receipt or proof of purchase. Call ahead if you want to confirm, but this is standard practice.

What if my charger is broken and I do not know what device it was for?

That is fine. E-waste facilities do not need to know what device a charger belonged to — they process it the same way regardless. Just bring it to a drop-off location or mail-back program and let them handle it.

Is there any money in recycling old chargers?

Not for you as an individual. Recyclers recover the value of the metals inside, but they do not pay consumers for single chargers. Some programs pay for large quantities of electronics from businesses, but household chargers are recycled for free or for a small processing fee.