That old phone with the spider-web crack. The laptop that took a tumble. The TV that stopped working years ago. Yes, you can recycle all of these — and you should. Here's what you need to know about recycling damaged electronics.
The Short Answer: Yes, Recycle It!
Broken electronics are absolutely recyclable. In fact, from a recycler's perspective, broken devices are often just as valuable as working ones — sometimes more so, because there's no expectation of refurbishment.
Here's what can be recycled:
- ✅ Cracked screens and shattered phones
- ✅ Water-damaged devices
- ✅ Devices that won't turn on
- ✅ Old TVs (even CRTs) — small fee applies
- ✅ Laptops with dead batteries
- ✅ Devices with missing parts
- ✅ Cables, chargers, and accessories
What Happens to Broken Electronics?
When you drop off a broken device, here's the typical path:
1. Assessment
We check if any components are salvageable. A phone with a cracked screen might still have a perfectly good battery, camera module, or logic board.
2. Parts Harvesting
Valuable components are removed for reuse:
- Working screens (for phone repair shops)
- Batteries (if healthy)
- RAM and storage modules
- Cameras and speakers
- Ports and connectors
3. Material Recovery
Everything else goes through material recovery. Even a completely destroyed phone contains gold, silver, copper, palladium, and rare earth elements that can be extracted and reused.
Types of Broken Electronics We Accept
📱 Phones & Tablets
- Cracked, shattered, or scratched screens
- Won't charge or turn on
- Water damage
- Swollen batteries
- Missing buttons or ports
💻 Computers & Laptops
- Dead motherboards
- Broken hinges or screens
- Won't boot
- Overheating issues
- Liquid spills
📺 TVs & Monitors (fee applies)
- Cracked or dead panels
- No picture or sound
- Old CRT monitors (yes, we take those!)
- Burn-in damage
TV fees: $15 (≤55"), $20 (>55"), $25 (CRT). See full pricing →
🖨️ Printers & Peripherals
- Paper jams you gave up on
- Print head failures
- Broken keyboards and mice
- Non-functional routers
⚠️ Important: Data Security Still Matters
Here's something people don't realize: data can often be recovered from broken devices.
Even if your phone screen is completely shattered, the storage chip inside may be perfectly intact. Someone with the right tools could extract your photos, messages, passwords, and financial information.
Always use a recycler that offers data destruction, especially for:
- Phones and tablets
- Laptops and computers
- External hard drives
- USB drives and memory cards
- Printers with internal storage
At EverTrade, we destroy all data before processing any device — even broken ones.
What About Batteries?
Batteries require special handling. Here's what to know:
- Swollen batteries: Handle carefully, do not puncture. Bring to us ASAP.
- Leaking batteries: Place in a plastic bag, bring immediately.
- Normal batteries: Leave them in the device — we'll remove them safely.
Never throw batteries in regular trash. They can cause fires in garbage trucks and landfills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recycle a phone with a cracked screen?
Yes! Phones with cracked screens are absolutely recyclable. The internal components, battery, and materials are still valuable. Many recyclers accept cracked phones for parts harvesting or material recovery.
What about water-damaged electronics?
Water-damaged electronics can still be recycled. While they may not be refurbishable, the metals, plastics, and other materials can be recovered. Just make sure to remove batteries from water-damaged devices before recycling.
Do I still need to worry about data on a broken device?
Yes! Data can often be recovered from broken devices. Even if the screen is shattered or the device won't turn on, the storage chips may still be intact. Always use a recycler that provides data destruction services.
Don't Let Broken Electronics Sit in a Drawer
The average household has 5-10 unused electronics sitting around. That drawer full of old phones? The closet with the dead laptop? The garage with the broken TV? Bring them all in.
Most items are free to recycle (TVs have a small fee), it's easy, and it keeps hazardous materials out of landfills.
Drop Off Your Broken Electronics
We accept all electronics — working or not. Free drop-off for most items, data destruction included. TVs have a small processing fee.