Houston E-Waste Report 2026
Data-driven insights into electronics recycling trends across the Houston metropolitan area.
Executive Summary
In 2026, EverTrade Electronics processed over 14,200 items totaling 82 tons of e-waste from 340+ Houston-area businesses — a 23% increase over the previous year.
Individual electronics items processed and diverted from landfills
Of e-waste responsibly recycled through certified processes
Houston-area organizations trust EverTrade with their IT assets
Certificates of Destruction and Recycling for compliance documentation
Equipment Breakdown
Desktop PCs and laptops remain the most commonly recycled items, together accounting for nearly half of all items processed.
Items Recycled by Equipment Type
Monthly Volume Trends
Recycling volume peaks in Q4 as businesses execute year-end IT refreshes and clear out storage ahead of annual audits.
Monthly Items Processed
Industry Breakdown
Healthcare and education sectors lead in responsible electronics disposal, driven by strict compliance requirements and regular equipment refresh cycles.
Share of Recycled Items by Industry
Key Findings
E-Waste Volume Grew 23% Year-Over-Year
The Houston metro area continues to see rapid growth in electronics disposal needs, driven by corporate IT refresh cycles and the ongoing shift to hybrid work. Companies are replacing aging equipment faster than ever, creating both a challenge and an opportunity for responsible recycling.
Healthcare Leads in Compliant Disposal
Healthcare organizations accounted for 22% of all recycled items, the largest single industry segment. HIPAA requirements for certified data destruction continue to drive demand for documented, compliant disposal processes. Every healthcare client received individual Certificates of Destruction with serial number tracking.
Data Destruction Demand Up 35%
Requests for NIST 800-88 compliant data destruction grew significantly, reflecting heightened awareness of data breach risks. The average business now requests certified wiping or physical shredding for 78% of retired drives, up from 62% the previous year.
Q4 Sees Highest Volume
October through December consistently represent the highest recycling volume, as businesses execute end-of-year IT refreshes, clear out storage rooms before annual audits, and take advantage of tax deductions for donated or recycled equipment.
Methodology & Data Sources
This report is based on EverTrade Electronics' operational data from January 1 through December 31, 2026. Item counts are derived from intake scanning records, with each individual piece of equipment counted as one item. Weight measurements are taken at the time of pickup using calibrated truck scales. Industry classifications are based on customer organization profiles in our CRM system. All data has been anonymized to protect customer privacy. Equipment categories follow the standard classifications used in TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) reporting. Monthly figures are based on pickup and drop-off dates, not processing dates.
Partner with Houston's Recycling Leader
Join 340+ Houston businesses that trust EverTrade for certified electronics recycling and data destruction.