Where To Donate Computers and Laptops in Person and Online

If you just upgraded your laptop after one too many coffee spills or you have a whole shelf of computers your company doesn’t need anymore, you can still put those unwanted electronics to use by donating them to organizations that can reuse or recycle them.

In this post, we’ll let you know where to donate computer and laptop devices, whether you want to help out a local charity or responsibly recycle them. Doing your part starts with a desire to help, so you’re already in the right place!

Where To Donate Computers and Laptops

Where you donate your computer primarily depends on its condition and which charitable causes you prefer to support. We’ll give you a few ideas for where you can send your old computer or laptop below.

Local Charities and Non-profit Organizations

Since charities and non-profit organizations don’t make money, they operate on the kindness of people willing to donate to their cause. Like any business, charity organizations need computers and other electronics to do their jobs, but they often struggle to get the equipment they need on a low budget.

If you have a local charity or non-profit you like, you can try contacting the organization by phone or email to see if they would be interested in taking your computer or laptop.

Which Charities and Organizations Accept Computer Donations?

Many non-profits and charity organizations accept computers, but some only accept electronics in good working condition. You may also find non-profits that refurbish computers for use or recycle them to keep e-waste out of landfills.

The following are a few examples of reputable organizations that accept computer donations:

• Easy Donation Pickup offers free donation pickup services of practically all items that can be picked up by one person alone. This, of course, includes computers and laptops. Scheduling a free donation pickup with Easy Donation Pickup is as easy as filling out the scheduling form located here.
• Goodwill accepts computers you no longer want at their donation centers or drop-off locations. There are no requirements for condition or brand, and the computers will be destroyed and recycled in an environmentally conscious way.
• PCs for People is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that picks up e-waste, such as computers and laptops, and recycles the electronics responsibly or refurbishes them for use in your community. PCs for People serves several locations in the U.S., including Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota.
• The Salvation Army takes computers and other electronics, which they sell in their thrift stores for a greatly reduced price. The charitable organization doesn’t wipe your data for you, so clear your hard drive before donating your computer.

Recycling Centers and E-waste Programs

E-waste refers to electronics people throw out when they have no use for them, and most of these discarded electronics sit in landfills worldwide. Since e-waste can be toxic to the environment and animals (including humans), initiatives for recycling unwanted electronics are everywhere.

By searching online for e-waste recycling services near you, it’s possible to find a recycling program that accepts e-waste drop-offs or provides free pickup.

Educational Institutions and Schools

Some schools don’t get enough funding to furnish computer labs or provide laptops for students and teachers, so you might be able to find schools that will accept unwanted computers. Colleges with computer programs or IT technical schools might accept old electronic devices to help with their courses.

Are There Any Online Platforms or Websites Where You Can Donate Computers and Laptops?

Whether you want to help out local charities or make a difference across the globe, you can find charitable organizations that use the internet to connect technology with those who need it, such as:

• National Cristina Foundation is a platform that connects you with local charities in need of equipment, including computers and laptops.
• InterConnection is a website that helps people in need worldwide get access to technology, from low-income families to areas stricken by natural disasters in places like Haiti and Japan.

What Should You Do Before Donating Your Computer or Laptop?

Even if you’re sending your computer or laptop off for recycling, you should take the time to remove all your private data first. You never know where your device could end up, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Here’s a checklist of what to do before donating your computer:

• Back up important information. If you have photos, documents, or other files you don’t want to lose, you can transfer them to a separate hard drive or cloud storage before erasing everything.
• Wipe the data from the computer. You can manually delete the files and programs, but a factory reset is the quickest and safest way to get rid of all your data on the computer.
• Check the device. Before tossing it in the donation bin, turn the computer back on to ensure the factory reset worked and none of your information remains on the device.

Are There Any Specific Donation Requirements for Computer and Laptop Donations?

The requirements for donating your computer or laptop depend on the organization and what the donation is for. Some places won’t accept computers if they need to be fixed, while others will do the refurbishing themselves.

Here are a few factors to consider when donating your computer:

Condition

If you’re donating to a charity that needs a computer for employees, the device should be in working order. However, a recycling center likely won’t refuse electronic devices, regardless of their condition.

Software and Data

No matter where your computer goes, whether to a recycling center or a non-profit organization, you should delete all your personal data before donating it.

Accessories

It might be best to donate your computer accessories, such as the power cord, monitor, keyboard, etc., with the computer if someone is going to use it. If they aren’t needed, you can send them to a recycling center for responsible disposal.

Documentation

If you’re sending your computer for refurbishment, it helps to include the official documentation that came with the device. Such documents have information that the refurbishers can use to reactivate the licenses for operating systems and other programs that came with the computer.

Can You Still Donate a Computer or Laptop That Is Not in Working Condition?

Yes, a computer or laptop that isn’t functional anymore can be useful. Whether it goes to an educational institute as a learning tool for students or gives up its parts for use in other products, your broken computer still has value.

Reusable and recyclable computer components include:

• Circuit boards
• Power cords
• Batteries
• Aluminum or plastic case

What Are the Benefits of Donating Computers?

Donating computers and laptops has many benefits for you, your community, and people around the world, including:

• Free computers for low-income families, students, or non-profit organizations
• Preventing e-waste from causing environmental damage in landfills
• More jobs at computer recycling centers
• Providing technology for disaster relief and healthcare needs
• Tax deductions for you or your business

Schedule a Free Pickup for Your Old Computer or Laptop Today

At Easy Donation Pickup, we retrieve donations from all around Los Angeles and Orange County at no charge. If you’re trying to find where to donate computer or laptop products, we can swing by and get them, rain or shine.

Your contribution supports the National Veterans Foundation, which helps veterans and their families get the necessary resources.

Schedule a free pickup online or by calling us at 855-628-8387.