Electronics
Cables & chargers
cables, chargers, leads, power cords, USB cables
Can you recycle?
Sometimes
Sometimes — cables and chargers can't go in your curbside bin, but they're recycled as e-waste and valued for their copper.
How to prepare
1. Untangle and bundle cables together. 2. Keep working chargers with their devices for donation. 3. Don't strip the wires yourself. 4. Take them to an e-waste drop-off point or scrap metal facility.
Common mistakes
Putting cables in curbside recycling, where they tangle the sorting machines. Binning them when their copper is valuable. Throwing away working chargers that others could use.
What happens after you recycle it?
Recycled cables are stripped so the copper and aluminum can be melted into new wiring and the plastic sheathing is reused.
Drop-off guidance
Cables and chargers go to e-waste drop-off points and scrap metal facilities, which recover the copper inside. Working chargers can be donated to charities and electronics reuse schemes.
FAQs
Can I recycle cables and chargers?
Yes, as e-waste. They can't go in your curbside bin but are accepted at e-waste drop-off points and scrap facilities.
Where can I recycle cables and chargers near me?
Use the lookup above to find e-waste drop-off points and scrap metal facilities near you.
Is it free to recycle cables and chargers?
Yes. E-waste drop-off points are free to use.
Can I get paid to recycle cables and chargers?
Sometimes. Scrap metal yards may pay for larger quantities of cable because of the copper content.
