Where to reuse, donate, or recycle electronics in Northwest Arkansas
Where it should go depends on what you have and its condition. Reuse working equipment before recycling it. Broken CRTs and damaged batteries need special handling. Use the table to find your situation, then read the section below it.
| Your situation | Where to take it |
|---|---|
| Working or repairable computers and electronics | Reuse first: ask us, or donate to a local reuse nonprofit |
| Retired business computers with data | Agree on documented drive wiping or retain storage; use a certified provider if required |
| Equipment that requires certified destruction | Hire a certified data-destruction provider (not us) |
| General household electronics | County solid-waste e-waste drop-off or a reuse nonprofit |
| Broken or non-working CRT TVs and monitors | A waste program that confirms CRT acceptance and handling |
| Working or collectible CRT equipment | Reuse: ask us, or a reuse nonprofit |
| Swollen or damaged lithium batteries | Call a hazardous-waste facility or manufacturer before transport |
| Large appliances | Municipal bulky-waste or scrap metal (not e-waste) |
| Anything we cannot accept | See What We Take, then a county program or nonprofit |
Working or repairable equipment
Working or repairable equipment may have another useful life. Check what we take or ask about pickup. If you want to make a charitable donation, Free Geek of Arkansas in Fayetteville lists accepted electronics, exclusions, and its data-handling policy. It charges for damaged lithium-ion batteries. Check its current rules and contact staff before a large or unusual drop-off.
Retired business computers
Agree on drive wiping or retain storage before handoff (see our data-preparation guide), then decide between reuse, resale, and recycling. For a batch of office machines, a business pickup may be an option. If the data is regulated or highly sensitive and you cannot verify a wipe yourself, use a certified data-destruction provider before the hardware leaves your control.
Equipment that requires certified destruction
Some organizations are required to document that data was destroyed to a recognized standard. ORT can document supported HDD and SSD wiping with per-drive outcome reports, but does not hold NAID AAA or R2 certification or issue certified-destruction certificates. When certification is required, hire a certified data-destruction or IT asset disposition (ITAD) provider that will give you a certificate and an auditable chain of custody. The NIST SP 800-88 media-sanitization guidelines are the standard such providers work to.
General household electronics
For household devices we do not take, check your county’s current drop-off options. Boston Mountain Solid Waste District serves Washington and Madison counties; check its official guidance for accepted materials and drop-off arrangements. Benton County residents can use the county’s special-waste drop-off. Note that the City of Fayetteville household hazardous waste trailer does not take electronics and directs residents to Free Geek or Boston Mountain instead. Confirm current hours and any fees on the linked pages before you drive out.
Broken CRT televisions or monitors
Old tube (CRT) televisions and monitors contain leaded glass. The U.S. EPA explains the leaded-glass hazards and disposal rules for CRTs. Keep them out of curbside recycling. Call your county waste program to confirm CRT acceptance, fees, and handling before taking one there. We generally cannot take nonworking or damaged CRTs.
Working or collectible CRT equipment
We consider working CRT televisions and monitors case by case. Email a photo so we can check the type and size. A reuse nonprofit may also be an option; confirm its acceptance rules before taking one there. Nonworking or damaged CRTs need a program that accepts them.
Swollen or damaged lithium batteries
Large appliances
Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and window AC units are not electronics recycling. Use your city’s bulky-waste pickup or a scrap-metal recycler. We cannot take large appliances. Confirm acceptance with the service you choose.
Equipment Ozark Reclaim Tech cannot accept
We take a limited range of equipment. If something is outside our What We Take list, such as large appliances, hazardous or unknown materials, damaged batteries, or a load too big for a small vehicle, use a county solid-waste program or reuse nonprofit above. Confirm the destination accepts your specific items; no single program accepts everything.
Local resource list checked: August 14, 2026. Free Geek’s acceptance page and damaged-battery safety guidance were rechecked October 4, 2026. Local programs change hours, fees, and accepted items. Confirm details on the official pages below before you go.
Sources
- Boston Mountain Solid Waste District (Washington & Madison counties)
- Benton County Solid Waste District recycling
- Benton County special / e-waste drop-off sites
- City of Fayetteville household hazardous waste
- Free Geek of Arkansas (electronics donation, Fayetteville)
- NWA Recycles (regional recycling directory)
- Call2Recycle / Battery Network drop-off locator
- US EPA: electronics donation and recycling
- US EPA: cathode ray tubes (CRTs)
Not sure which route to choose?
Ask about your equipment. We’ll discuss what we can collect, and this guide can help with other options.