Top 7 Electronics You Didn’t Know You Could Recycle

When you think about recycling electronics, your mind probably goes straight to laptops, old phones, or maybe a broken TV. And while those are great things to recycle, they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

The truth is, there are a lot more devices in your home or office that can and should be recycled. At United Electronic Recycling, we’re on a mission to keep those items out of landfills and make sure they’re handled safely and responsibly.

Here are 7 surprisingly recyclable electronics you might already have collecting dust in a drawer or cabinet.

Video Game Consoles & Controllers

Still holding on to that old PlayStation 2 or Xbox 360? Or maybe a controller that stopped working a few years ago? Don’t toss them in the trash. Game consoles and accessories contain valuable parts like copper wiring, circuit boards, and plastics that can all be recycled.

👉 Bring your broken or outdated gaming gear to our facility in Coppell or a recycling event—we’ll take care of the rest.

2.Inkjet and Laser Printers

Printers seem to pile up quickly especially when they stop working right when you need them. But here’s the good news: most printers are full of recyclable materials, and that includes toner cartridges and ink tanks.

3.Small Kitchen Appliances

That old coffee maker or toaster that’s been sitting in the garage? Yep you can recycle that, too. Small appliances often contain metal coils, motors, wires, and plastic that can be separated and reused.

4.Fax Machines & Landline Phones

These might feel like tech relics, but they’re still around and they’re still recyclable. Devices like fax machines, corded phones, and answering machines are made with valuable metals and electronic components.

For businesses doing an office cleanup, we make it easy: pickup options are available through United Electronic Recycling.

5.Digital Cameras & Camcorders

Have an old digital camera or camcorder tucked away in a drawer? These devices contain rare earth metals and rechargeable batteries, making them important to recycle properly.

Just don’t forget to remove your memory cards or any personal data before you bring them in.

6.Smart Home Devices (Alexa, Ring, Nest, etc.)

Smart speakers, thermostats, doorbell cameras they all count as e-waste once they’re no longer in use. And since they often hold personal information, it’s extra important to factory reset or wipe them before recycling.

At UER, we make sure these devices are handled securely, with certified recycling and proper data destruction.

7.External Hard Drives & USB Flash Drives

Even the smallest devices, like flash drives and portable hard drives, should never go in the trash. They store sensitive data and contain materials that can be recovered.

We wipe all hard drive that come in through our facility in accordance to NIST standards.

Why Recycle These “Hidden” Electronics?

Recycling more than just your obvious devices helps:

• Keep hazardous materials out of landfills

•  Conserve natural resources

• Reduce illegal dumping and environmental damage

• Protect your personal data

• Support a sustainable tech industry

So, Where Can You Recycle All This Stuff?

At United Electronic Recycling, we host community recycling events all year long throughout Texas. We also accept drop-offs at our Coppell, TX facility Monday through Friday.

🔗 Check out our events calendar: www.unitedelectronicrecycling.com/events
📞 Give us a call: (855) 837-8326

If you’re unsure whether something can be recycled, just reach out. We’re always happy to help you figure it out. Chances are, if it plugs in, powers on, or connects to a device it can probably be recycled.

Let’s work together to keep e-waste out of landfills and give your old electronics a second life.