Yes, Best Buy recycles cords, wires, and cables for free at almost all of their U.S. stores. You can drop off items at the customer service desk. They also offer an in-store promotion where recycling eligible power cables/chargers gets you a 20% off coupon for select replacements.
In store only. Customer upon recycling of a power cable or charger will receive a 20% off recycle coupon toward the purchase of select power cables and chargers.
Responsibly getting rid of e-waste
We make it easy to recycle all kinds of used tech — from cameras and cellphones to robot vacuums and speakers. Regardless of where you bought it, how old it is or who made it, you can bring your tech to any Best Buy store to have it recycled.
If cables are in good condition, they can be donated for reuse or sold. If the item is not reusable, you can recycle it. Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled. Find a recycling point near you (opens in a new window).
You should never throw any electronics or batteries into the regular trash. Devices contain toxic heavy metals (like lead, mercury, and cadmium) that leach into groundwater, while batteries pose a severe fire hazard. To avoid illegal dumping or safety hazards, always recycle or responsibly donate your old electronics.
Never put old electricals in your general waste or recycling bins. Like anything with a plug, battery or cable a toaster can be recycled. That means it can be refurbished for reuse or broken down for parts and valuable raw materials. To find your nearest recycling point, pop your postcode in our locator.
Three common items that cannot be recycled in curbside programs include:
Ways To Dispose of Old or Damaged Power Cables
To get rid of cable, evaluate your household's channel needs, secure a reliable internet-only plan (often $35−$50/month), and switch to a streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. Cancel your existing cable TV service to avoid early termination fees, and return all equipment to your provider.
Remove accessories: While Goodwill accepts accessories like power cords and keyboards, separating them makes it easier for staff to process your donation.
Yes, Best Buy accepts a wide variety of electronics and appliances for recycling, regardless of where you bought them. Most small items can be dropped off for free, though some larger products or specific state regulations may require a fee.
Electronics waste (e.g., mobile phones, small electronic devices, media devices and ink cartridges) collected is refurbished or recycled. Please note that all personal data is wiped from all devices or the device is destroyed so data is unrecoverable. Was this information helpful?
Yes, Best Buy’s recycling partners wipe or shred all data from devices. However, Best Buy recommends wiping your data yourself before handing it over. If you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, you can pay the Best Buy Geek Squad to do it for you.
Certain electronics cannot go into curbside recycling bins, and heavily damaged or hazardous items cannot be recycled at all. Unrecyclable or restricted e-waste includes leaking devices, swollen lithium-ion batteries, and items containing toxic materials (like old CRTs and smoke detectors).
If you're looking for a replacement power cord for your laptop, desktop, or other electronic device, there are many options. Browse the top-ranked list of power cords below along with associated reviews and opinions.
People are boycotting Goodwill primarily due to outrage over inflated pricing on free donations and a controversial labor loophole. Consumers and advocacy groups argue that the nonprofit has strayed from its charitable roots, while historic activist groups target its wage policies.
No, Goodwill does not wash or sanitize donated clothes or items before placing them on the sales floor. Their staff only performs a quick visual inspection to reject items with heavy stains or odors.
Retailers will take back old cables and leads
And many stores will take your old tech even if you're not buying. This includes all the accessories including plugs, batteries – and yes, cables.
If your cords and cables are in good condition, consider donating them.
Cutting the cord is worth it if you actively manage your subscriptions and primarily stream on-demand content. However, if you want live sports, local channels, and keep multiple premium services active year-round, streaming can easily cost just as much as traditional cable.
Yes, but only a very low-voltage current or high-frequency radio signal. You will not be electrocuted under normal circumstances, as standard coaxial cables for TVs and internet typically carry well under 30 volts.
Many items that appear eco-friendly or made of basic materials cannot go in your curbside recycling bin. The biggest culprits include paper coffee cups, greasy pizza boxes, thermal receipts, and plastic utensils. These items either ruin processing machinery or contaminate entire batches of recyclables.
Tossing old chargers and cables into the regular trash might seem convenient, but it has significant environmental consequences. These items contain materials like copper and other metals, plastics and sometimes hazardous substances such as lead or flame retardants.
Yes, it is often completely free to recycle or dispose of electrical items, though fees apply for certain large or hazardous items like TVs and appliances.