Published February 25, 2026 · 4 min read · Updated September 27, 2026
How to Recycle Old Electronics in Sacramento
Old laptops, monitors, phones and printers can't go in the trash in California. Here is where businesses and households in the Sacramento area can recycle old electronics, and how to prepare them first.
Most offices and homes have a closet of old electronics: a laptop that stopped charging, monitors from the last upgrade, phones in a drawer, a printer nobody uses. They cannot go in the trash in California, and the right way to recycle them depends on who owns them and what is stored on them.
Modern Waste Solutions has recycled electronics from its Sacramento facility since 1999, mostly for businesses and public agencies. This guide covers how to recycle old electronics in the Sacramento area: why it matters, where each kind of device can go, how to prepare it, and what happens after you hand it over.
Electronics contain lead, mercury, cadmium and other substances that can leach into soil and water when devices break down in a landfill. California classifies some of them as hazardous waste; CalRecycle notes, for example, that nonfunctioning cathode-ray tubes and mercury lamps fall in that category. Batteries are banned from the trash altogether.
Recycling also recovers copper, aluminum, steel, precious metals, glass and plastic that can be used again instead of mined. For businesses there is a data question too: a device that held company or customer information needs verified data destruction before it leaves your control. Our article on why businesses can't throw away old electronics covers the risks in more detail.
The best option depends on whether the equipment belongs to a business or a household, and whether it still works.
| Option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Business pickup | Offices, facilities and agencies with retired IT and electronics | We provide containers, pick up on a schedule or one time, destroy data and issue certificates. |
| Business drop-off at Modern Waste Solutions | Businesses near Sacramento with their own transport | Deliver loads to 3921 Pell Circle, Sacramento, CA 95838. The business drop-off page lists hours and paperwork. |
| Secure Recycle, our sister company | Residents with personal electronics | Operates from the same address, 3921 Pell Circle. Modern Waste Solutions doesn't provide residential services. |
| City and county collection | Residents who prefer a local program | CalRecycle's eRecycle directory lists collection sites; many counties also run household hazardous waste facilities for batteries and lamps. |
| Manufacturer or retailer take-back | Single devices from brands with a return program | Programs and accepted items change, so check the brand's or store's current terms. |
| Donation or resale | Working, recent equipment | Erase your data first. Businesses can route resale through IT asset disposition. |
Households should check Secure Recycle's website for what it accepts before driving over. Businesses can arrange electronic waste recycling pickup through a quote request, or call (916) 339-3676 before delivering a load.
- Back up anything you want to keep to another device or a cloud account, and check that the copy opens.
- Sign out of accounts and remove device locks, such as the phone's find-my-device setting, so the device is not tied to you.
- Erase the data. A factory reset is a reasonable minimum for a personal phone or tablet. Business devices need a documented method: NIST 800-88 wiping or physical destruction, with a record for each device through our secure data destruction service.
- Deal with batteries. Remove loose or easily removable batteries, tape the terminals, and bag any swollen or damaged battery separately. Do not try to pry out a built-in battery.
- Keep chargers, cables and accessories together with the device or in one box; they are recyclable too.
At our Sacramento facility, incoming equipment is logged, then triaged. Devices that may still be used are evaluated for reuse, and data-bearing equipment is wiped or destroyed. The rest is dismantled so batteries, lamps, circuit boards, metals, glass and plastics each go to an appropriate downstream destination. Business customers receive certificates of recycling and data destruction at the end. The business guide to recycling electronics covers the full workflow for larger programs.
Can I put old electronics in my curbside recycling bin?
No. Curbside bins are for paper, cans, bottles and similar materials. Electronics and batteries need an e-waste drop-off, a collection program or a recycler.
Is a factory reset enough before recycling a phone or laptop?
For a personal device, a factory reset after signing out of accounts covers most risk. Businesses should use a documented wipe or physical destruction and keep a certificate, because they may have to show what happened to the data.
Does Modern Waste Solutions pick up electronics from homes?
No. We don't provide residential services, and pickups and on-site work are for businesses and organizations. Households can recycle electronics through our sister company, Secure Recycle, at 3921 Pell Circle in Sacramento.
What should a business do with a large batch of old electronics?
Request a pickup. We supply containers, collect the equipment, handle data destruction and provide the paperwork your records need.
Whether you are clearing one office closet or retiring equipment across several sites, recycling keeps hazardous materials out of landfills and keeps your data out of the wrong hands. Businesses can request a quote for pickup, and households can use Secure Recycle at the same Pell Circle address.
- CalRecycle: Electronic Waste Management and eRecycle directory: calrecycle.ca.gov/electronics
- U.S. EPA: Electronics Donation and Recycling: epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling
- NIST SP 800-88, Guidelines for Media Sanitization: csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/88/r2/final
Simplify your compliance and disposal process with bundled recycling services that handle both electronic devices and batteries in one streamlined solution.
Our scheduled, route-based pickups cover all major regions of California—ensuring efficient, on-time service no matter where you operate.
We provide clearly labeled, tamper-resistant containers to ensure safe and compliant collection of electronic waste and batteries at your location.
Modern Waste Solutions has served businesses and communities across California with dependable, environmentally responsible recycling solutions for over two decades.
We adhere to all California and federal regulations, ensuring your electronic and battery waste is managed with complete transparency and environmental responsibility.
Reviews
A little bit off the beaten track in Natomas, but Modern Waste quickly and efficiently helped me recycle my broken Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries at a reasonable $/lb fee (Sac county e-waste will not accept these items). Ramiro and Vincent were very friendly and helpful.
Chris was awesome! He came in and picked up all of the e-waste we had ready for him. He was polite and professional throughout the entire process. He handled the equipment with care, including the site equipment that was already in place. I am very happy with his service and appreciate the great job he did.
Aaron and Vincent were awesome, excellent customer service!
Great guys, excellent customer service, highly recommend!
Polite, quick and easy.
Chris from modern waste was the most outstanding respectful person I ever met my life when he was done he offered to sweep the floors. He offered so much even though he was limited on time he went out of his way and he’s over beyond best guy I ever met thank you so much for your service services Dan ITG.
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