How to Get Paid for Recycling Your Electronics

By
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler

Erin Huffstetler is a frugal living expert who has been writing for over 10 years about easy ways to save money at home.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 01/31/20
REDUNDANT MOBILE PHONES AND SMART PHONES
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

If you recycle, you probably feel good about yourself and what you are doing for the planet every time you stash boxes, bottles, and plastic in the recycling bin or give old clothes to your favorite charity. All of this stays out of the landfill. Recycling is good, but getting paid to recycle is even better. But you can't get paid to recycle just any old thing. Electronics are where it's at when it comes to getting some green for keeping the Earth green. For great information on all kinds of recycling, check out Earth911.com.

  • 01 of 05

    Best Buy

    Computer Repair Shop. A woman using an electronic screwdriver tool on a computer circuit board.
    Mint Images / Getty Images

    You can recycle all kinds of electronics at Best Buy, no matter how old they are, who made them, or where you bought them. If they have value, you can trade in your old electronics—cell phones, tablets, computers, and more—and score a Best Buy gift card. Use the trade-in calculator on the website to find out if your item has any value and if so, how much your gift card will be.

  • 02 of 05

    Gazelle

    Close up view of stylish bearded hipster curious man getting instructions for a mobile from professional girl seller in a tech store.
    dusanpetkovic / Getty Images

    Sell your old electronics (calculators, camcorders, and everything in between) to Gazelle, and they'll give you cash. Gazelle has kiosks at many stores and malls, where you can make the transaction. Or you can do it on the Gazelle website.

  • 03 of 05

    SellCell

    Junk Drawers and storage spaces

    Tamara Staples/Getty Images

    Pull out all of those old cell phones and tablets that are cluttering up your drawers and your house and plug their info into sellcell.com. Sellcell will compare prices at all the top cell buyers and show you who's willing to pay you the most. After you choose your buyer, ship your device off and wait to get paid via the agreed-upon method. So easy!

  • 04 of 05

    You Renew

    Technological Waste
    Diane Macdonald / Getty Images

    At YouRenew.com, you can recycle just about any electronics, but if what you want to get rid of has value, YouRenew will send you a check if it passes its inspection. You can ship devices for free to YouRenew and then wait for your payment.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below.
  • 05 of 05

    Local Recycling Centers

    Recycling
    GoodLifeStudio / Getty Images

    Recycling aluminum cans and scrap metal can bring in a fair amount of money in large volumes. To find a paying recycling center in your area, just check online. These are all local centers, and you must actually take the cans to the recyclers. What you can get for the cans varies, but this is a low-return item per piece.

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