Disposal and Recycling of Power Cords and Cables

Power cords, charging cables, extension cords, USB cables, HDMI cables, Ethernet cables, headphone cords, appliance cords, and adapters contain copper, plastic insulation, rubber, and metal connectors. They generally do not belong in curbside recycling because they can wrap around and damage sorting equipment.

Whenever possible, reuse, donate, sell, or recycle cords and cables through an electronics recycler, scrap-metal recycler, manufacturer program, retailer program, or local e-waste collection service that confirms it accepts them.

Common Cords and Cables

Items that may be accepted by electronics or scrap recyclers include:

• Power cords and appliance cords

• Phone, tablet, laptop, and USB charging cables

• USB-A, USB-C, Micro-USB, Lightning, and proprietary charging cables

• Laptop chargers and power adapters

• Extension cords and surge protectors

• HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI, and audio-video cables

• Ethernet, coaxial, telephone, and network cables

• Printer cables and computer cables

• Headphone, earbud, microphone, and speaker cables

• Tool, gaming-console, and camera charging cords

• Christmas-light strings, depending on the recycler

• Cable-management accessories, such as cord organizers and connectors

Acceptance varies by facility. Some recyclers accept only cables and cords, while others accept them only when brought with electronic devices.

Reuse and Donation

If a cord or cable still works safely, reuse is usually the best option.

Consider:

• Keeping a labeled backup cord for a current device.

• Donating compatible chargers and cables with a working phone, tablet, computer, camera, speaker, or appliance.

• Giving extra cables to a school, library, nonprofit, repair group, maker space, or community organization.

• Selling specialized, proprietary, vintage, or high-quality cables online.

• Combining matching chargers and cables with devices before donating or reselling them.

Before donating or giving away a cable:

• Test it if possible.

• Confirm it matches the correct voltage, wattage, connector type, and manufacturer specifications for the device.

• Label it clearly if it is device-specific.

• Check for fraying, exposed wires, bent prongs, loose connectors, damaged insulation, burn marks, melted plastic, or overheating.

• Dispose of damaged cords through an appropriate electronics or scrap-metal recycler instead of giving them away.

Do not donate or use cords with exposed wires, damaged plugs, melted insulation, loose connections, sparking, overheating, or a burning smell.

Recycling Options Electronics recyclers

Many e-waste recyclers accept cords, chargers, adapters, cables, and small electronics. These facilities can separate copper, plastic insulation, circuit components, and metal connectors.

Contact the recycler first and ask:

• Do you accept loose power cords and cables?

• Do you accept chargers, adapters, extension cords, and surge protectors?

• Are there quantity limits or fees?

• Do you accept damaged cords?

• Do you accept cords only with other electronics, or as a separate drop-off item?

Scrap-metal recyclers

Cables contain copper, which may have recycling value. Scrap-metal recyclers may accept:

• Extension cords

• Heavy-duty appliance cords

• Copper wiring

• Large bundles of computer, network, or electrical cables

• Cords from tools or appliances

Some scrap recyclers may require cords to be separated from electronic devices, while others may accept only certain quantities or types. Do not strip insulation from wires unless the recycler specifically asks you to do so. Stripping wires can create injury and fire hazards, and many recyclers accept insulated wire.

Retailer and manufacturer programs

Some electronics retailers, repair shops, manufacturers, and community collection programs accept chargers, adapters, and cables. Policies vary by store and location.

Before visiting, confirm that the location accepts:

• Loose cords and cables

• Power adapters and charging bricks

• Extension cords

• Surge protectors

• Damaged chargers or cords

• Cables from phones, computers, appliances, or tools

Do not place cords or cables into a battery-recycling bin unless the collection site specifically says it accepts them. Battery collection programs and electronics-recycling programs are different.

Chargers, Power Adapters, and Surge Protectors

Chargers, power bricks, adapters, surge protectors, and power strips may contain circuit boards and other electronic components. They should be handled as e-waste rather than ordinary plastic or metal.

• Take them to an electronics recycler that accepts small electronics.

• Do not place them in curbside recycling.

• Do not dismantle chargers, adapters, or surge protectors.

• Do not use damaged chargers or power strips.

• Do not donate chargers that overheat, spark, smell burned, have cracked casings, or have damaged cords.

  
  

If a charger, adapter, or power strip has a removable battery, follow the manufacturer’s and recycler’s instructions for separate battery recycling. Most cords and chargers do not contain rechargeable batteries.

What Not to Do

• Do not place cords, cables, chargers, power strips, or extension cords in curbside recycling unless your local program specifically accepts them.

• Do not place cords or chargers in household trash if an e-waste or scrap-metal recycling option is available.

• Do not put cables in battery-recycling bins unless the location specifically accepts them.

• Do not burn, melt, or strip insulation from wires.

• Do not use or donate cords with exposed wiring, damaged plugs, melted insulation, loose connections, overheating, or a burning smell.

• Do not dismantle power adapters, chargers, power strips, or surge protectors.

• Do not assume that every recycling center accepts cables. Confirm before visiting.

Where to Take Cords and Cables

Sources and Resources

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Electronics Donation and Recycling

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Certified Electronics Recyclers

• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Electronics Recycling

• Chicago Environmentalists, Electronics Recycling Resources

Safety and Legal Notice

Connecting The Dots Project provides this guide for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal, electrical, technical, safety, recycling, waste-management, or emergency-response advice.

Disposal rules, accepted items, fees, preparation requirements, and recycling laws vary by location, cable type, condition, manufacturer, recycler, and receiving facility. Before donating, selling, transporting, recycling, or disposing of cords and cables, contact the manufacturer, local government or solid-waste authority, and receiving facility for current instructions.

Do not use, donate, repair, cut, strip, burn, dismantle, or handle damaged, sparking, melted, overheating, or burned cords, adapters, chargers, power strips, or surge protectors unless you are trained, authorized, and specifically instructed to do so by the manufacturer, emergency personnel, or receiving facility.

If a cord, charger, adapter, power strip, or cable is smoking, on fire, emitting sparks, becoming unusually hot, or creating an immediate danger, move people away from the area and call 911 or your local emergency number. Do not attempt to repair, move, or extinguish the item unless directed by emergency responders.

Mention of any company, retailer, recycler, program, certification, or organization is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, affiliation, recommendation, or guarantee of acceptance, service quality, safety, or environmental performance.

Connecting The Dots Project does not guarantee that this information is complete, current, accurate, or suitable for every product or situation. Use of this guide is at the reader’s own risk.