To recycle an old laptop, first back up your files, sign out of your accounts, and erase the drive with a full reset or secure erase tool. Then choose where it goes. Donate or sell it if it still works, return an HP computer through HP Planet Partners, or take it to a certified electronics recycler. Never put a laptop in the trash, because its lithium-ion battery can cause fires.
Why Recycle Your Old Laptop
Laptops contain metals, plastics, and glass that take energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling them lets those materials be reused [1]. Some electronics also contain lead, mercury, and cadmium, which need proper handling at end of life.
Safety matters too. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found more than 240 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries at 64 waste facilities between 2013 and 2020. Phones, tablets, and laptops were among the most common sources [2].
How to Prepare Your Laptop for Recycling
Get your laptop ready before it leaves your hands, whether you're recycling, donating, or selling it:
- Back up your files. Copy them to an external drive or cloud storage.
- Sign out of your accounts. Log out of email, browsers, and cloud storage. Then remove the laptop from your Microsoft account's device list.
- Turn off device tracking. Disable any find-my-device feature linked to the laptop.
- Erase the drive. Use one of the methods in the next section.
- Remove external media. Take out USB drives, SD cards, and any discs.
- Keep the charger with the laptop. If you're donating it, the next owner will need it.
How to securely erase your laptop drive
Deleting files or formatting the drive doesn't fully remove your data, especially on a solid-state drive (SSD). Use one of these methods instead:
Windows reset. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. Choose "Remove everything," then turn on the option to clean the drive.
HP Secure Erase. Many HP business PCs include HP Secure Erase in the BIOS. Press F10 at startup to open the BIOS, then look under the Security menu.
Your SSD maker's secure erase tool. Use this if you installed your own SSD.
Our guide on how to secure erase an SSD walks through each method step by step.
Where to Recycle, Donate, or Sell Your Laptop
Donate or sell a working laptop
A working laptop can go to a school, library, community center, or nonprofit that refurbishes computers. You can also sell it online or through a buyback service. The EPA recommends considering hardware or software upgrades before buying a brand-new computer [1], so your laptop may have plenty of use left for someone else.
Return HP computers through HP Planet Partners
HP Planet Partners accepts HP-branded computers, monitors, and printers for recycling [3]. You're responsible for deleting all data before the equipment leaves your home or office. Visit HP Planet Partners hardware recycling to see the return options for your product.
Use a certified electronics recycler
For other brands, or if you'd rather drop off locally, choose a recycler certified to the R2 or e-Stewards® standard. The EPA explains what these certifications mean on its certified electronics recyclers resources. Many cities also hold e-waste collection events.
Check trade-in and buyback programs
Some manufacturers and retailers give credit or cash for old laptops toward a new device. Check the [LINK: HP trade-in program] for current offers where you live.
How to Recycle a Desktop Computer, Monitor, and Accessories
Desktop computers follow the same steps as laptops. Back up, sign out, and erase the drive before you recycle or donate. Monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, and printers can go to the same certified recyclers and manufacturer programs.
Recycling ink and toner too? See our guide on how to recycle HP ink and toner cartridges.
How to Recycle a Chromebook
Chromebook™ laptops store most data in the cloud, but you should still reset them before recycling:
- Sign out of your Google account
- Run a Powerwash (factory reset) from Settings
- Remove any SD cards or USB drives
- Recycle through the manufacturer's program or a certified e-waste recycler
HP Chromebook devices can be returned through HP Planet Partners like other HP-branded computers.
How to Handle Laptop Batteries Safely
Lithium-ion batteries should never go in household trash or curbside recycling. The EPA recommends taking them to electronics recyclers or household hazardous waste collection sites [2].
Most current laptops have internal batteries. Don't try to remove a sealed battery yourself. Recycle the whole laptop and let the recycler handle it. If a battery looks swollen, stop using and charging the laptop, and take it to a recycler as soon as you can.
Should You Physically Destroy Your Hard Drive?
For most people, a secure erase is enough. If your laptop held highly sensitive business or financial data, use a certified data destruction service that shreds drives and gives you a certificate. Don't try to destroy an SSD with tools at home. Its data is stored on memory chips that are easy to miss, and damaged components can be hazardous.
Should You Repair Instead of Recycle?
A slow or broken laptop isn't always ready for recycling. A new battery, more memory, or a larger SSD can often extend its life for less than the cost of a new computer. For HP devices, start with [LINK: HP Support] or protect your next laptop with an [LINK: HP store - HP Care Packs] plan.
When you're ready to replace your old laptop, browse [LINK: HP store - laptops] or [LINK: HP store - HP EliteBook business laptops].
HP Support Resources
These guides can help you prepare an HP computer for recycling:
- How to reset your HP computer and remove personal data
- How to use BitLocker drive encryption
- How to reset factory settings on an HP PC
- How to use the HP Cloud Recovery Tool to reinstall Windows
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wipe my laptop before recycling it?
On Windows, open Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC, choose "Remove everything," and turn on the option to clean the drive. Many HP business PCs also include HP Secure Erase in the BIOS. Formatting alone doesn't fully remove data from an SSD.
Can I recycle my old HP laptop for free?
HP-branded laptops can be returned through the HP Planet Partners recycling program. Visit the HP Planet Partners hardware recycling page to see the return options available for your product and location.
Can I throw an old laptop in the trash?
An old laptop should not go in the trash. Its lithium-ion battery can cause fires in garbage trucks and waste facilities. Take it to a certified electronics recycler, a manufacturer take-back program, or a household hazardous waste site.
Should I remove the battery before recycling a laptop?
Most current laptops have sealed internal batteries, which should stay in place. Recycle the whole laptop and let the recycler remove the battery. If the battery is swollen, stop using and charging the laptop and take it to a recycler promptly.
Sources
About the Author
Dan Marzullo is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Dan produces strategic marketing content for startups, digital agencies, and established brands. His work can be found in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, YFS Magazine, and many other media outlets.
