Electronics Recycling · Austin, TX
Computer Recycling in Austin
Before you go
The machine is easy. The data on it is the part people get wrong.
Sign out of your accounts first
Deauthorize the machine from Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, and anything else tied to a device limit. Doing it afterwards is a support-ticket problem.
Wipe the drive, or pull it and keep it
A factory reset is not a wipe on an older mechanical drive; it clears the index, not the data. If what's on it matters, remove the drive with a screwdriver and keep it, or hand the machine to a recycler that issues a certificate of destruction.
Look for NAID AAA if a business owns the machine
That's the certification that comes with documented, auditable destruction. For a personal laptop it's overkill; for anything holding customer or patient records it's the baseline.
Take the laptop battery out if it comes out without tools
Lithium cells are processed on a separate line and several sites want them handed over separately rather than sealed inside the chassis.
Treat a swollen battery as a fire risk
If the case is bulging or the trackpad is lifting, the battery is failing. Don't puncture it, don't press it flat, don't put it in a bag with anything else, and tell the counter staff before you hand it across.
Send the charger with it
Power bricks are accepted with the machine and are useless once it's gone.
Compare options
Computer Recycling in Austin
2 free · 2 fee-based
| Facility | Cost | Open now | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodwill Central Texas - Dell Reconnect E-Waste | Free |
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| STS Electronic Recycling Inc.(512) 340-7393 | Free |
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| Paid or fee-based options | |||
| Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center(512) 974-4343 | Depends on the item |
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| Best Buy (Arboretum)(512) 795-0956 | Free for most |
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Where they are
Relative positions across Austin. Not a street map: use Directions on a facility page to navigate.
Free Fee or conditional 1 more listing is not plotted, 1 because it covers a whole metro rather than one address.
How it works in Austin
Texas Recycles Computers Program requires manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, etc.) to offer free brand-labeled takeback. Locally: Dell Reconnect at Goodwill Central Texas locations accepts ANY brand of computer equipment for free. The Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center accepts computers free by appointment for residents. Best Buy and Staples accept small electronics free.
Local rules
- Texas Recycles Computers Program (30 TAC Ch. 328, Subch. I): TCEQ requires computer manufacturers selling in Texas to offer free recycling of their own brand-labeled computer equipment to households.
- Texas Recycles TVs Program (30 TAC Ch. 328, Subch. J): TV manufacturers must register with TCEQ, file a recovery plan, and recycle a market-share allocation of CTE (covered television equipment) in Texas.
Travis County household hazardous waste
Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center
Central HHW hub for Austin & Travis County. Appointment required, released weekly. Free for residents.
13 more Austin rules, not specific to this item
- Texas does NOT have a paint stewardship law — PaintCare does not operate in Texas (as of 2026).
- Austin Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO): commercial properties, multifamily, and food-permitted businesses must provide recycling/organics access; annual diversion plans due Oct 1-Feb 1; violations are Class C misdemeanors up to $2,000/day.
- Austin Construction & Demolition Recycling Ordinance (2015): projects over 5,000 sq ft must reuse/recycle 50% of debris or dispose <2.5 lbs/sq ft.
- Austin City Code Ch. 15-6 (Solid Waste Services Administrative Rules) governs HHW handling and prohibits placing batteries and HHW in curbside recycling/trash carts.
- Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center is appointment-only — slots can be hard to get and are scheduled via the Austin Recycles mobile app or by calling 3-1-1.
- Austin's on-demand HHW curbside service is brand-new (January 2025), replacing the prior bulk/brush twice-a-year schedule with up to 3 service appointments per year per address.
- HHW curbside set-out rule: items must be staged OUT of direct sunlight (garage or porch) — the city explicitly warns about Austin heat causing reactions; NOT placed at the curb until collection morning.
- Austin Resource Recovery warns that batteries in curbside recycling carts have started truck/MRF fires in summer heat — the city actively campaigns to keep lithium-ion out of carts.
- City of Austin's Recycle & Reuse Center accepts HHW from Travis County residents free (Austin & county only); fees apply to non-residents and businesses cannot use the residential HHW service.
- Zero Waste by 2040: Austin City Council adopted 90% landfill diversion goal in 2011; 2023 Comprehensive Plan added 'aggressive milestones.'
- PaintCare absence: unlike Colorado, California, or Oregon, Texas residents cannot drop paint at hardware stores under PaintCare — all paint must go through municipal HHW.
- Large batteries (car, solar panel, EV) are explicitly excluded from APL library drop-off boxes — they require Recycle & Reuse Center appointment or manufacturer programs.
- Solar panel disposal fee schedule: first 2 panels under 100 lbs are free at the Recycle & Reuse Center, then $0.30/lb.
Other Austin programs
- Austin Resource Recovery On-Demand HHW Curbside CollectionCurbside pickup of paint, batteries, automotive fluids, aerosols, pool chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, propane cylinders. Launched January 2025 as on-demand service. Up to 3 collections per address per year. 30-gallon total limit, no individual containers >5 gallons.3-1-1 (512-974-2000)
- Austin ReBlendFree 100% post-consumer recycled latex paint (low-VOC) made from HHW drop-offs. Available in three shades (Texas Limestone, Balcones Canyonland, Barton Creek Greenbelt) for residents, nonprofits, and businesses by appointment at the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center.512-974-4343
- Austin Public Library Battery Drop-Off NetworkHousehold battery collection at 20+ APL branches (look for 5-gallon black/gray buckets); does NOT accept large car or solar panel batteries.3-1-1
- Dell Reconnect via Goodwill Central TexasFree recycling of any-brand computer equipment (laptops, desktops, monitors, peripherals) at participating Goodwill Central Texas donation centers.
- Travis County 1431 Citizens Collection Center (Cedar Park)General household trash only ($4.33/cubic yard, Thu-Sat 8am-3:50pm); HHW for county residents is routed to the City of Austin Recycle & Reuse Center.
- Call2Recycle drop-off network (Austin)Rechargeable and single-use batteries (under 11 lb) at Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Staples and other retail locations citywide; terminals must be taped or bagged before drop-off.
- Travis County recycling locatorSearchable database of drop-off sites for paint, electronics, batteries, and other materials across Travis County.
Where this came from: 12 sources
- www.austintexas.gov/dropoff (opens in a new tab)
- www.austintexas.gov/resource-recovery/locations/recycle-and-reuse-drop-center (opens in a new tab)
- www.austintexas.gov/resource-recovery/programs/demand-bulk-brush-and-household-hazardous-waste-collection (opens in a new tab)
- www.austintexas.gov/batteries (opens in a new tab)
- www.austintexas.gov/reblend (opens in a new tab)
- www.austintexas.gov/uro (opens in a new tab)
- www.austintexas.gov/zerowaste (opens in a new tab)
- www.traviscountytx.gov/tnr/environmental-quality/conserve/disposal-recycling (opens in a new tab)
- www.tceq.texas.gov/p2/recycle/electronics (opens in a new tab)
- www.paintcare.org/paintcare-states (opens in a new tab)
- www.goodwillcentraltexas.org/about-us/dell-reconnect (opens in a new tab)
- locations.call2recycle.org (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
About Computer Recycling here
How much does Computer recycling cost in this area?
2 of 4 facilities (50%) offer free recycling for Computer. Facilities that may charge: Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center, Best Buy (Arboretum). Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center: Free for residents. Fees for tires, mattresses, large appliances.. Best Buy (Arboretum): Free for most items. $29.99 fee for TVs over 50" and large monitors..
Do I need an appointment for Computer drop-off?
1 facility requires an appointment: Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center. Best Buy (Arboretum), Goodwill Central Texas - Dell Reconnect E-Waste, STS Electronic Recycling Inc. accept walk-ins.
Is pickup available for Computer?
Most facilities require you to drop off Computer. Check individual listings for special arrangements.
Are there certified recyclers for Computer?
Yes. Local facilities hold certifications including: R2, NAID. These ensure responsible processing and, for NAID, verified data destruction.
Are there quantity limits for Computer drop-off?
Some facilities have limits: Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center: Residential quantities only Residential quantities; Best Buy (Arboretum): 3 items per day.
What data destruction methods are used for hard drives?
Certified recyclers offer hard drive shredding, degaussing, and software wipe with certificates of destruction (NAID AAA verified). Some provide chain-of-custody documentation for business compliance.
Can I recycle a laptop with a broken screen?
Yes — broken laptops are accepted at most e-waste recyclers. Remove the battery if possible. Some recyclers charge a small fee for broken devices.