Where can I dispose of electronic waste in New York?

If you’re anything like me, you have a junk drawer at home full of old and broken electronics – a smartphone with unreliable wiring, decades-old MP3 players or plenty of frayed and fried chargers. You may have wondered what to do with these old electronics. In New York, you have a few options for tackling electronic waste like an old phone, and there are some rules you need to know. 

You can’t throw electronic waste in the regular trash or recycling. 

It’s illegal to dispose of some electronics through your regular trash or recycling in New York. As of 2015, individuals and households are prohibited from disposing of computers, tablets, TVs and more in their solid waste disposal facilities, under New York’s Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act. 

It’s a bad idea to put any electronics in the trash even if the state hasn’t specifically banned certain devices within regular waste. Electronic waste often contains hazardous materials such as lead and mercury, which can pollute our land, air and even our drinking water if not disposed of properly. The batteries in electronic devices can also cause fires. 

Luckily, there are several options for managing electronic waste responsibly. Here’s how you can dispose of your old electronics in New York, and what you can do instead.

Option 1: Sell or donate your old electronics

If your old technology is still in working condition, there are many great options to ensure it doesn’t go to waste. You can sell your old tech on websites such as Gazelle or Black Market, or donate electronics to those in need. Thrift stores like Goodwill will often accept old electronics, and Computers with Causes accepts computer donations. Below, we have other location-specific services you can use to give your old tech a new life.  

New York City: You can use the website DonateNY to find information on where to drop off donations of all kinds, including appliances and electronics. Additionally, you can donate computers and laptops to We Care Act NYC or Tech FIN.

Rochester: The University of Rochester accepts computer donations as a part of its ongoing community service efforts. Rochester’s Community Wishbook will pair up whatever you’re looking to donate – cameras, appliances, tablets and more – with an agency that has requested the item.

Capital Region: Reboot Tech and Elfun Computer Rehab collect old computers for refurbishment. Reboot Tech donates computers to youth in need while Elfun Computer Rehab gives them to nonprofit organizations and schools.

Long Island: The Community Computer Connections Program, located in Smithtown, collects, refurbishes, and delivers donated computers to veterans and those in need. Long Island Adolescent and Family Services will collect donations of computers, printers, copiers or fax machines.

Syracuse: Rescue Mission will accept electronics and small household appliances for donation, and has numerous locations including those in Binghamton and Ithaca. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity will collect appliances and electrical wire. 

Buffalo: Mission Ignite accepts computers that are 7 years old or newer.

Option #2: Exercise your right to repair!

In the state of New York, all manufacturers of digital electronic products are required to provide the parts, tools, and documentation needed to repair any electronic devices sold on or after July 1st of 2023. This makes it a lot easier for you to repair your electronic device if it’s broken, rather than replace it.  

One great way to get your device repaired is a Repair Cafe. Repair cafes are community events where people come together to help each other fix their things. Repair Cafe Hudson Valley hosts over 60 different cafes across the Hudson Valley region, Capital region, Catskills and North County. There is also a repair cafe held in New York City and in Buffalo.

Option #3: Disposal

As a last resort if your device can’t be fixed and is too far gone for donation, you can safely dispose of it. Under New York State law, it is illegal to dispose of TV, computers, and other small electronics in your regular trash. Additionally, the Wireless Telephone Recycling Act makes proper disposal of cell phones easy by ensuring retailers accept old phones for collection. Fortunately, you have several options for disposal if your old electronics can’t be donated, sold or repaired.

This list provides locations for dropping off electronic waste across the state, though you may have to call ahead to determine exactly which devices would be accepted. Below you can find more specific information organized by city.

New York City: In addition to existing New York State rules, the improper disposal of any product containing a rechargeable battery is also prohibited under New York City’s Department of sanitation, and doing so may carry a fine of up to $300. 

Here is a map of all locations that collect electronic waste throughout New York City – be aware that some may charge a small fee for recycling. DSNY also hosts free e-waste collection events at least once a year, or you can bring your electronics to one of these sites each Saturday or on the last Friday of the month. LES Ecology Center also hosts periodic electronic waste collection events.

New York City also has its own rules for appliance disposal. Large appliances should be set out on the street next to trash the night before recycling is collected if they are recyclable, and the night before trash is collected if they are not. Small appliances can be set out alongside recycling. You must make an appointment to dispose of any alliance with CFC gas, like a refrigerator.

Albany and Capital region: Capital Region Electronics Recycling provides a free pickup service for electronic waste, and they host drop off events for Rensselaer residents. This website also provides a list of places to drop off electronic waste in major cities in the capital region including Albany and Schenectady.

Buffalo: In Buffalo, old electronics must be dropped off at the City’s Engineering Garage, the address for that can be found on this flier. You can find additional drop off locations here. For towns in the Buffalo area, you can check if your municipality has its own e-waste drop-off facility here. 

Syracuse: Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency has provided a list of locations that will accept back old electronics. You can also find upcoming e-waste recycling events here and here.

Long Island: Aside from the statewide list of places to bring electronic waste, Long Island has the following local recycling service providers:

• Arrow Metal and E-Waste Recycling serves Babylon and Hollbrook.
• eGreen Recycling Management provides both pickup and drop-off services for electronics recycling, as well as drop-off events in and around Oyster Bay. 
• For Nassau county, you can call 732-564-3110 to arrange either a pickup or drop-off of electronic waste. 
• Hempstead residents can also arrange a pickup of electronic waste, bring waste to the town’s designated site, or attend a collection event. 
• The Town of Huntington has an e-waste drop-off site open Tuesday through Saturday from 8am-4pm. However, for appliances, you can call to make a pickup appointment.

Rochester: The city of Rochester has a list of collection sites and services, including Ecopark and Maven Technologies.

Westchester County: Westchester County has its own law prohibiting cell phones from entering the regular waste stream. The county has provided a list of cell phone drop off locations on this site.