Global e-waste is rising sharply—UN figures show 32 billion kilograms generated in 2022, up 82% from 2010—and the U.S. lacks a federal recycling framework. Goodwill has built a large-scale refurbishment operation that accepts a broad range of electronics, from computers and consoles to cables and hard drives.
Donated devices are processed through secure data-wiping systems, including a device called the Destroyinator running KillDisk, with hard drives held to U.S. Department of Defense standards. Functional items are refurbished and sold at Goodwill's tech-focused stores, such as The Grid in North Carolina, and on eBay. The proceeds fund Goodwill's career training and job programs.
Since 2004, Goodwill has partnered with Dell on the Dell Reconnect program, which refurbishes or recycles any brand of electronics. Dell says the partnership has kept 660 million pounds of e-waste out of landfills over 20 years. The company also cites circular design principles and emissions-reduction goals as part of its environmental commitments.
Goodwill is one of several options—Best Buy, Staples, Home Depot, Amazon, and manufacturers like Dell and Apple offer trade-in or mail-back services. But because Goodwill's resale revenue supports its workforce programs, the source suggests it may be the most altruistic route for disposing of old tech.