Free guide · Waynesville Computer Services

WHERE TO RECYCLE OLD ELECTRONICS IN HAYWOOD COUNTY

North Carolina law keeps computers and TVs out of the landfill, so they can't go in your regular trash, and Waynesville won't pick them up at the curb. Here's every free or low-cost place to take old computers, laptops, phones, tablets, TVs and batteries in and around Waynesville.

From Ben, Waynesville Computer Services · Updated November 2026

THE SHORT VERSION

What you have	Easiest free option
Computers & laptops	Staples in Waynesville, the county recycling center in Clyde (call first), Goodwill, or my free drop-off (I wipe the drive for you)
Phones & tablets	Staples, Goodwill, or my free drop-off
Monitors & printers	Staples in Waynesville (free in North Carolina) or the county recycling center
TVs	Call the county recycling center to confirm first. Best Buy in Asheville takes most TVs for a fee
Batteries	County convenience centers take household batteries (ask about lithium or damaged ones). Rechargeable batteries are free at The Home Depot

Before any of it: back up what you want to keep and wipe your personal information. How to wipe it ↓

WHY NOT THE TRASH?

Since 2011, North Carolina law has banned computers, monitors, printers, scanners and TVs from landfills. The Town of Waynesville won't pick up electronics with your trash or bulk pickup: crews leave them at the curb, and you can get a citation. Lithium-ion batteries join the landfill ban on December 1, 2026.

The good news is that most of the options below are free, and an old computer that still works can go to someone who needs one.

FIRST: GET YOUR STUFF OFF IT

An old computer or phone still has your photos, email, saved passwords and banking logins on it, even if it's slow or broken. Before it leaves your hands:

Back up anything you want to keep. My free backup guide walks you through it.
Sign out of your Apple ID or Google account, and turn off Find My on Apple devices. A locked device can't be reused.
Phones: take out the SIM card and any memory card, and move your authenticator app to the new phone first.
Erase it with the built-in reset. Windows: Reset this PC, choose "Remove everything", then under Change settings turn on Clean data (it takes longer but makes your files much harder to recover). iPhone and newer Macs: Erase All Content and Settings (older Macs: erase the drive in Disk Utility, then reinstall macOS). Android or Chromebook: Factory reset.

Won't turn on? You can't reset a computer that won't start, but the drive inside still holds your files. Bring it to my free electronics drop-off: hard drives are overwritten, SSDs get a secure erase, and drives that won't power on are physically destroyed. Or take the drive out and keep it.

FREE: HAYWOOD COUNTY RECYCLING CENTER

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

The county's main recycling center, and where the Town of Waynesville sends residents with electronics. Recycling there is free for Haywood County residents. The county doesn't post a current list of which devices it takes or any limits, so call before you go to confirm your item, especially a TV, a big load, or anything from a business.

Where: 278 Recycle Rd, Clyde
Hours: Mon–Sat 7 AM–5 PM, closed Sunday (may change on holidays)
Phone: 828-627-8042
Cost: Free for Haywood County residents

Not at convenience centers: the 10 county convenience centers (the trash and recycling sites around the county) can't take electronics. County rules ban computers, monitors, printers, keyboards and phone equipment there. They do take batteries.

In Canton? The Town of Canton includes electronics in its free curbside pickup by request. Call Town Hall at 828-648-2363 or put in a work order on the town website.

STORES THAT TAKE ELECTRONICS

Staples, Waynesville

Free: computers, laptops, phones, tablets, hard drives, keyboards, mice, routers, chargers and cables. Printers and monitors up to 49" are free in North Carolina too (other states pay a fee). No TVs. Batteries cost $2.99 per visit.

Where: 89 Waynesville Plaza, Waynesville
Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–7 PM, Sat 9 AM–6 PM, Sun 11 AM–5 PM
Phone: 828-456-2089

Best Buy, Asheville

Free: computers, laptops, tablets, phones, printers, cables and chargers from your home. TVs and monitors: most are $29.99 each, with a size limit (larger TVs need their haul-away service). There's a limit on how many items per household per day, and loose batteries aren't accepted in North Carolina. Check their recycling page before you drive over.

Where: 83 S Tunnel Rd, Asheville
Phone: 828-298-2330

DONATE IT SO SOMEONE CAN USE IT

Goodwill (Waynesville and Canton stores)

Takes computers of any brand, working or not (free, through the Dell Reconnect program), plus printers, flat-screen monitors, phones, gaming systems and computer accessories. No old tube (CRT) TVs or monitors.

Waynesville: 229 Paragon Pkwy, Clyde
Canton: 75 Plaza Loop, Canton
Hours: Mon–Sat 10 AM–8 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM

Haywood Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Takes working computer equipment no more than 3 years old. No printers or copiers. Sales help build homes in Haywood County.

Where: 331 Walnut St, Suite 1, Waynesville (donations at the back loading dock)
Hours: Tue–Sat 10 AM–4 PM
Phone: 828-246-9135

Through the Trees, Brevard

A nonprofit that refurbishes computers for people who need them. Takes desktops, laptops, phones, tablets, accessories and cables, including old and broken computers (for parts). No TVs, printers or ink. Turn off Find My and Google locks first.

Where: 120 W Main St, Brevard
Hours: Wed–Fri 10 AM–5 PM, Sat noon–5 PM
Phone: 828-209-8872

My free electronics drop-off

I take old laptops, desktops, computer parts, tablets and phones for free, working or not. Every drive with personal data is wiped or destroyed, then the device is refurbished, resold or recycled. It's by appointment, like a repair drop-off. How the free drop-off works →

MAIL IT IN

Dell (any brand)

Free recycling for used computer equipment of any brand and condition. You print a prepaid shipping label and use your own box.

Apple (Apple devices)

Free recycling for Apple devices through Apple Trade In. If it has trade-in value, you can get credit instead. Ship one device per box, and never mail a device with a swollen or damaged battery.

BATTERIES

County convenience centers and the recycling center in Clyde take household batteries, free for residents.
The Home Depot takes rechargeable batteries (from laptops, phones and tools) for free, if they aren't damaged or leaking.
Staples takes batteries for $2.99 per visit. Best Buy doesn't take loose batteries in North Carolina.

Prevent fires: tape the ends of lithium-ion batteries or put each one in its own plastic bag, and never put them in the trash or recycling bin. A swollen laptop or phone battery can catch fire: stop charging it, keep it away from anything flammable, and call the county recycling center at 828-627-8042 before you bring it in.

NOT SURE IT'S DEAD?

A computer that seems finished often just needs a new drive, more memory or a clean Windows install. A $40 diagnostic (plus tax) tells you whether it's worth fixing before you recycle it. Drop-off is by appointment.

Book a Drop-Off Call (800) 292-8397

Checked against each place's own website in November 2026. Hours, fees and what they accept can change, so call before you go. Know a place I missed? Email support@waynesvillecomputerservices.com.