An old laptop sitting in a drawer can put a student or a family online. Working or not, computers and electronics are wanted by refurbishers that close the digital divide and by recyclers that keep e-waste out of landfills. The one rule that matters before you give anything away: wipe your personal data first. Here is where to donate and how to do it safely.
PCs for People is a 501(c)(3) that refurbishes donated computers and provides low-cost or free devices and internet access to people with low incomes and to nonprofits. It accepts donations from both businesses and individuals and provides certified data destruction, which makes it a strong choice if data security is a concern. Many devices that still work go straight back into the community.
Computers with Causes accepts laptops and desktops of any brand, working or not, along with tablets, printers, cameras, game consoles, and other gadgets. Donations are tax-deductible. Working machines are refurbished and given to schools, students, and families, while non-working units are handled through a zero-landfill recycling process.
Computers 4 People is a nonprofit that refurbishes donated computers, tablets, and accessories and distributes them free to families, students, and individuals in need. Everything donated is tax-deductible, and the focus is squarely on getting working technology to people who lack it.
Many Goodwill organizations accept computers at donation centers and recycle them responsibly, a practice that grew out of long-running electronics recycling partnerships. Goodwill is convenient because of its many locations, though the device may be recycled rather than refurbished. Call your local Goodwill to confirm it takes electronics.
Underfunded schools, libraries, and community nonprofits sometimes need devices for labs, lending programs, or staff. A direct donation can have an immediate, visible impact. Call first, because organizations can only use machines that meet a minimum spec and are fully wiped.
Groups such as the Kramden Institute and World Computer Exchange refurbish donated equipment specifically for education, supplying students and schools in the U.S. and abroad. If you want your old computer to support learning, these specialized refurbishers are a good match.
Wiping and packing your device?
Back up first, erase the drive, then pack it safely. Useful tools on Amazon:
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Last updated June 2026. Errors: [email protected]
Electronics are the fastest-growing category of household waste, and they contain materials that should not go to a landfill. Donating extends the life of a working device and helps close the digital divide, the gap between people who have reliable computing and internet access and those who do not. A refurbished laptop can be the difference between a student doing homework at home or not at all. When a device truly cannot be reused, responsible recycling recovers metals and keeps toxic components contained.
The biggest risk in donating a computer is leaving personal data behind. Take these steps in order:
Choosing a refurbisher that offers certified data destruction adds another layer of protection.
Refurbishers want machines that can realistically be brought back to useful life: relatively recent laptops and desktops, working tablets, monitors, keyboards, and mice. Very old or badly damaged equipment is typically recycled for parts and materials rather than refurbished. If you are unsure, send the model and age to the organization and ask whether it will be reused or recycled, so your expectations match the outcome.
Phones and tablets have their own donation paths. Programs such as Cell Phones for Soldiers collect used phones to fund services for service members and veterans, and many domestic-violence and shelter programs accept phones for emergency use. Carrier trade-in programs give you credit but are not charitable donations. Whichever route you choose, sign out of your accounts, disable lock and tracking features, remove the SIM and memory card, and factory reset before handing the device over.
If a device is beyond reuse, recycle it through a certified e-waste recycler rather than the trash. Look for recyclers certified to the R2 or e-Stewards standards, which require responsible handling of hazardous components and data security. Many manufacturers and big-box electronics retailers also run take-back programs. Responsible recycling recovers valuable metals and keeps lead, mercury, and other materials out of the environment.