Here's what happens to your old computer parts you donate to Goodwill
The company has a pretty robust electronics refurbishment program.
The electronic gadgets we use every day are not made to last forever. These devices' limited lifespans are creating a crisis that is only escalating: according to the UN, global e-waste generation hit 32 billion kilograms in 2022, up a whopping 82 percent from 2010.
E-waste describes any discarded electronics with a battery or a plug. When it ends up in landfills, e-waste does not decompose — instead, it drains toxic materials into surrounding soil, which can contaminate local waterways and impact the environment and the health of people who live there.
There is no federal e-waste recycling framework in the United States, but nonprofit donation center chain Goodwill has more than made a dent in this crisis. The organization takes a large variety of devices and funnels them through several programs that prevent your electronics from ending up where they shouldn't.
Here's what actually happens to your devices after you drop them off, and what you need to know to make sure they go to good use.
What electronics Goodwill takes
If it plugs in, or has a battery, it is a safe bet that Goodwill will take it. The organization accepts desktop and laptop computers, mice, keyboards and other accessories. It will also take video game consoles, mobile phones, digital cameras, chargers and other cables. Internal and external hard drives are also accepted.
Whether it is a complete device or just parts, you can drop e-waste at Goodwill through its drop-off centers. What happens to it next depends on what kind of gadget you are donating, its working condition and your store location. The type and size of equipment may vary, but the secure recycling process is the same for all materials.
Donors should delete any data or files on their devices prior to donation. If forgotten, Goodwill utilizes data removal systems, including a device called the Destroyinator to run KillDisk software to wipe electronics clean.
Where Goodwill sells your devices
Goodwill sells functional or valuable parts at auctions, individual locations, or specialty technology stores like The Grid in Charlotte and Shelby, North Carolina. Selected offerings are also listed on eBay for wider access. Products include gaming consoles, printers, and refurbished computers.
Devices sent to specialized stores should ideally be wiped clean of data beforehand, though Goodwill also applies US Department of Defense standards to securely destroy remaining data on hard drives.
The Grid diverts an average of 1 million pounds of electronics from landfills annually. Profits from these sales directly fund local career training and job resources.
How Goodwill's Dell partnership prevents e-waste
Since 2004, Goodwill has partnered with Dell for Dell Reconnect, a program that refurbishes or recycles electronic devices of any brand and condition, including hard drives, scanners, printers, cellphones, and accessories.
Salvageable products are refurbished upon drop-off, while nonfunctional equipment is safely disposed of or recycled. Proceeds from this partnership fund Goodwill's community programs.
The partnership has kept 660 million pounds of electronic waste out of landfills over two decades. The initiative supports Dell Technologies' environmental goals, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and applying circular design principles.
Alternatives to Goodwill donations
Other e-waste disposal options include trade-in and drop-off services at Best Buy, Staples, Home Depot, and Amazon. Brands like Dell and Apple also provide free mail-back programs for non-functional devices.
With only 17.4 percent of global e-waste currently disposed of correctly, donating or recycling electronic devices helps mitigate environmental impacts while supporting local community resources.
