Less Than 40% of Us Recycle Old Tech. Some Are Even Taking a Risky Route, CNET Finds


My iPhone 14 Pro‘s poor battery life forced me to upgrade to a new smartphone recently. Now the old phone is sitting in my house while I figure out a plan for it. I could trade it in with my cellphone provider or donate it to a charity. But the longer I wait, the more new phones are coming out, such as the iPhone 17E, which lowers the value of my 4-year-old phone. I’ve also thought about recycling it.   

You’ve likely considered trading in, donating or just tossing your old smartphone or tablet. But if you think most US adults are responsibly recycling their e-waste, think again. CNET recently asked 2,638 US adults about their typical plan for getting rid of old tech, and the results are concerning: 22% throw away items and less than half (39%) recycle their devices. Tossing it may be illegal in your state and, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, contributes to air and water pollution. Donating or recycling your electronic waste is the recommended route.

Some companies, including Apple, are doing their part to support a more sustainable environment by using recycled materials to build new products. Apple said 30% of the material used in its products that were shipped last year came from recycled sources. Microsoft uses recycled materials for its Surface laptops and includes more replaceable components.

Based on survey findings, here’s what most US adults are doing with their old personal tech, and what the typical e-waste plan is. We’re also including a list of recycling locations to help give your old tech new life. 

♻️ Less than half (39%) of US adults recycle tech they no longer use. Some US adults keep old devices at home (29%), while 10% don’t know what to do with them.
 
♻️ 22% of US adults still throw old tech in the trash, which is illegal in some states.

♻️ National retailers, including Best Buy and Staples, offer recycling programs to safely dispose of your unwanted appliances and gadgets.

Only 39% of US adults recycle their old devices 

So what are most of us doing with the devices we no longer use? CNET found that typical plans vary. You may consider factors such as the device, its condition and your personal preferences. 

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Less than half (39%) of US adults recycle their old devices, with Boomers making up nearly half (48%) of that group. On the other hand, 33% of US adults give away their old tech, while 29% stash these devices at home. 

Some US adults look at old tech as a way to make some cash by trading it in with a retailer (24%) or selling their gadgets online (18%). 

There are less desirable ways to dispose of your tech. It’s not a good idea to throw away old tech, but 22% of US adults say they do. CNET’s latest findings also show that nearly three in 10 (29%) hoard tech at home, with Gen Z making up 40% of this group.  

Watch this: Make Money for Recycling Old Tech and Let the Broken iPhone Go

Selling, donating or recycling your e-waste is better than polluting the environment with toxins and chemicals found in smartphones and tablets. Tossing one in the trash may seem like the most convenient way to get rid of it, but this may be illegal in your state. 

E-waste laws have been enacted in 25 states, according to the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse. For example, South Carolina bans disposing of tech in solid-waste landfills. Computer monitors, TVs and printers must be recycled.

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Best Buy and Staples are two of several retailers that accept old personal devices. 

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Where to recycle your old tech 

Here’s a list of retailers where you can recycle or trade in your old smartphones, laptops and other personal tech. When narrowing down where to drop off your old gadget, see what recycling options are available through your tech manufacturer, such as Apple and HP. Your local recycling services and national services, including The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle), Earth911 and Greener Gadgets, also have tech-recycling programs to safely get rid of your tech based on your ZIP code. 

Amazon Recycling Program

Amazon’s Recycling Program lets you trade in eligible devices to save on a new Amazon tech gadget. If your device doesn’t qualify, you can drop off your old tech at a participating store, such as Staples. Or you can mail it in with a free shipping label.

Best Buy 

Best Buy lets you recycle up to three accepted items per household per day for free. It also offers a haul-away service to get rid of your old tech as a standalone service. Best Buy can remove and recycle up to two large products and unlimited select small products for $200. There are restrictions, such as not being able to haul away fitness equipment. You can also order a mail-in box from Best Buy and fill it to the weight limit with accepted electronics and ship it at a UPS Store using a prepaid shipping label.

GreenDrop

GreenDrop accepts various tech items on behalf of its nonprofits. However, large appliances, cabinet TVs, monitors and medical equipment are not accepted. Call your local GreenDrop about your specific device before dropping it off. Donations are tax-deductible.

Smartphone Recycling

Smartphone Recycling is a bulk recycling and trade-in program that lets you recycle smartphones and tablets. You can ship your old phone, computer and tablet using a FedEx shipping label. Smartphone Recycling may pay you up to $400 for your old devices, including locked and damaged ones. 

Staples

You can earn Staples’ Easy Rewards by recycling tech devices online and in-store. Points can be redeemed as savings on purchases. Staples also offers mail-in recycling kits to ship your tech starting at about $14, and you can receive electronic gift cards when you trade in an eligible device in stores only. There are a few restricted items, and Staples charges a fee for recycling monitors.

Target 

Target has a trade-in program that lets you trade your old tech in for a Target eGiftCard based on the value of your device. The gift card can be used at Target stores, Target.com, Target Tech kiosks, Target Optical and merchants within the Target store. 

Eligible trade-in items include hearables, mobile phones, MP3 players, tablets, smart speakers, video-game consoles and games, and wearables. The program is only available online.

What to do before you toss your old tech

Before you recycle, sell or give away your old device, there are a few steps you should take. 

First, make sure you back up any important data, such as files and photos, using cloud storage or an external hard drive. If you downloaded any software, make sure you make note of any license keys. Then restore your device to its original state by doing a factory reset. This wipes clean any personal information, software and files by restoring the phone to its original condition.

If you plan to donate or recycle your device, check for any special instructions to safely dispose of your e-waste. Some tablets, phones and laptops use lithium-ion batteries that can pose a significant fire hazard if damaged or not disposed of properly. The EPA also has a directory listing hazardous rechargeable batteries and where to dispose of them by ZIP code. 

For other ways to get rid of unwanted tech, check out the video below for charities that accept unwanted electronics and what to know before selling your used tech for a fair price

Methodology 

CNET commissioned YouGov PLC to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov PLC. The total sample size was 2,638 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken April 10-14, 2026, and the survey was conducted online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults, ages 18 or older. 





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Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.





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