Many Americans are looking for a way to support charity without spending a lot of money. One option is to donate your old electronics. After all, these items that you no longer need take up storage space and can be difficult to dispose of in an environmentally-friendly manner. However, does Goodwill take electronics?
The answer may surprise you.
Can you donate electronics to Goodwill?
The amount of electronics that we have in our homes and offices has grown substantially over the years. People rely on computers, televisions, phones and other electronics for work, entertainment and communication. The problem is that most of these items become useless in a few years.
We are constantly in the process of upgrading to the latest technology. Eventually, when you upgrade to the latest gadget the old one is forgotten and left to collect dust in your storage room.
If you want to do something good with your old electronics, you can donate them to Goodwill. Goodwill is a clothing, household items and furniture donation center that rely on the generosity of the public to support its cause.
There are many drop-off points around the United States where people can bring their gently used clothing and other household items that they no longer need. Many people assume that Goodwill only accepts clothing donations, but this is not always the case.
Goodwill accepts a number of electronics including:
Gadget/Electronic | Accepted | Not Accepted |
---|---|---|
Smartphones | Yes | |
Laptops | Yes | |
Tablets | Yes | |
Smartwatches | Yes | |
Fitness trackers | Yes | |
Digital cameras | Yes | |
Camcorders | Yes | |
Game consoles | Yes | |
Drones | Yes | |
E-readers | Yes | |
Headphones | Yes | |
Speakers | Yes | |
Home theater systems | Yes | |
Streaming devices | Yes | |
Virtual reality headsets | Yes | |
Smart home devices | Yes | |
Wearable technology | Yes | |
Portable chargers | Yes | |
Power banks | Yes | |
Televisions | Yes | |
Blu-ray and DVD players | Yes | |
VCRs | Yes | |
Stereo systems | Yes | |
Radios | Yes | |
Landline phones | Yes | |
Analog cameras | Yes | |
Typewriters | Yes | |
Fax machines | Yes | |
Electric typewriters | Yes | |
Calculators | Yes | |
Electronic keyboards | Yes |
If you have a large amount of electronics that you want to donate, you can also call your local Goodwill office in advance to request a special pickup. Keep in mind, Goodwill only accepts electronics that are in working condition and won’t take specific items that are broken, or need repair.
Where else can i donate electronics?
There are many places where you can donate electronics. If you are not interested in donating your old electronics to a thrift store or Goodwill, the next step is to consider recycling your electronics. Many electronics companies offer free recycling programs for their products. For example, Apple has an iPhone recycling program where you can ship your old iPhone to them for free and they will recycle it.
You should be able to find a reputable recycler that will collect your electronics and recycle it for free, or you can pay a nominal fee to have them dispose of your electronics in an environmentally safe manner. That said, we have a few more options on where you can donate electronics.
World Computer Exchange
World Computer Exchange accepts donations of any kind, including laptops, desktops, monitors, printers and more. They check working conditions so they can reuse your equipment in developing countries. World Computer Exchange is a non-profit that uses technology to help people in need. If you have computers, laptops or monitors that you would like to donate, contact World Computer Exchange and they will give you details on how to get your donation to them.
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Donate your cell phones, tablets, Nook readers mp3 player and accessories to Cell Phones for Soldiers. This charity collects donations to provide prepaid international calling cards to active duty military personnel who have been deployed overseas.
Donated devices are generally sold to a refurbisher or recycled in a responsible manner. Cell Phones for Soldiers is a recognized non-profit organization with details on their website and a presence in various military installations.
Human-I-T
Another option for donating electronics is to contact a local non-profit organization that is collecting electronics for recycling purposes. Human-I-T collects used cell phones, computers and laptops and other electronic equipment from residents to recycle them responsibly. Many of the items that are collected by this organization are sent overseas for reuse. To donate your old electronic devices, you can drop them off at the Human-I-T location or mail them in. Alternatively, you can schedule a free pick up for your donation.
Pickup Please
True to its name, Pickup Please will pick up your electronics for you. They are a service that will come to your home or business and collect all of your old electronics for you. Donations are accepted at the Pickup Please website, as well as at a number of retail stores in the U.S where donors can schedule pickups.
They take old TVs, game consoles, computers, tablets, phones and more. To arrange a pickup of your donations you can schedule it online or by calling Pickup Please.
Final Thoughts
Goodwill is one of the organizations that will accept your old electronics, but there are others as well. For example, Cell Phones for Soldiers accept cell phones and many other electronics. If you want to support a good cause and get rid of some extra clutter in your home at the same time, contact these organizations to learn how you can get rid of your old electronics safely.
FAQs
Does Goodwill take electronics California?
Goodwill is a non-profit organization that operates thrift stores in most states across the country. If you are looking to donate your old electronics, check with your local Goodwill first to see if they will take computers, laptops, TVs and other electronic devices.
Does Goodwill take TVs California?
Yes, Goodwill does take TVs. They accept working flat screen televisions of all sizes. It would be great to include the remote control and other accessories that come with the TV.