Where to Donate Used Computers and Electronics in the Bay Area

This page lists Bay Area (California) organizations where you can donate used computer hardware. Also, check listings at:

• National Technology Recycling Project
• Computer Take Back Campaign
• Electronic Product Management Directory
• Resources for Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling (computers)
• techsoup MAR (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher)

 

Alameda County Computer Resource Center
ACCRC will recycle anything that you can plug into a power outlet. This includes your computer, VCR, television, copy machine, and even your microwave and toaster, but not your large appliances such as a washing machine or refrigerator. You will receive a tax write-off for computer donations. They will attempt to fix your equipment and then donate it to someone who cannot afford to buy a computer. If it cannot be reused, it will be recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
City: Berkeley, CA
Phone: (510) 528-4052
Web Site: www.accrc.org

 

Computer Recycling Center
CRC has collected, refurbished and redistributed over 20,000 computers to schools in the San Francisco Bay area, since its founding. The nonprofit agency accepts donations of computers, (working or not), and books and software from individuals and companies throughout California. They also provide technical training for high school and college students, participate in national collection efforts and offer sales of surplus parts to the general public. CRC now has three locations in Northern CA.
Cities: Sunnyvale, Santa Rosa, or San Francisco, CA
Phone: (800) 887-3372
Web Site: Computer Recycling Center

 

Computer Recycling Project
Collects and distributes older computers for schools, nonprofits and needy individuals in Northern California. Has a core of school volunteers who help assemble, renovate and repair donations. Picks up both Macs & PCs throughout the Bay Area. Contact: Richard Blackston, Operations Manager.
City: San Francisco, CA
Phone: (415) 342-2244
E-mail: richardblackston@yahoo.com

 

Goodwill Industries RECONNECT Program
RECONNECT is a comprehensive electronics recovery, reuse and environmentally responsible recycling opportunity for consumers in participating communities. RECONNECT offers FREE drop-off recycling and reuse options for unwanted electronics. Goodwill Industries and Dell partnered to create RECONNECT, a free program for consumers to reuse and responsibly recycle unwanted electronics. Simply bring in your donation to your participating local Goodwill store or Goodwill donation drop-off site. Proceeds from resale value of donations will be returned to Goodwill Industries to support their mission of creating job opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment.
Locate a Participating Goodwill: Listings

 

Marin Computer Resource Center
Donates used computers and related equipment to non profit organizations, school libraries, and low income families in the Marin County area. Other organizations can apply if they arrange transportation. Also distributes used computer equipment to other countries.
Street: 60 Leveroni Court, Suite 200B
City: Novato, CA
Phone: (415) 883-1428
Fax: (415) 883-2984
Web Site: www.mcrc.org

 

Menlo-Atherton High School PTA Computer Donation Program
A public high school serving East Palo Alto and surrounding Peninsula communities, collects used computers and laser printers, working or not. We will erase all information off the hard drives, load them with appropriate software including free internet service, and send them home with needy students. The laser printers and most capable computers go into classrooms to replace ancient machines currently in use. Over the past 8 years, we have refurbished more than 1000 computers for our students and teachers. We also need other items such as projector systems and smart boards.
Contact: Sue Kayton
Phone: (650) 853-1711
Email:kayton@alum.mit.edu

 

Oakland Technology Exchange West
A project of the Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute, this nonprofit school-run program finds and recycles used computers for use by students in the Oakland Public Schools. Students learn develop technical and business skills as they work in a "repair classroom" to fix machines. They earn "tech bucks" script that can be redeemed for computers to be used at home. Graduates of Tech have accumulated enough points to take 100 computers with them to college. The school has also recycled several hundred used computers for use in the classrooms. The group plans to train and place high school students in elementary and middle schools as tech aids in the classroom.
Street: 1680 14th Street
City: Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: (510) 893-4822
Email: Contact page
Web Site: www.otxwest.org

 

ReliaTech
ReliaTech accepts all computer-related equipment for recycling and refurbishing. This includes desktop and laptop computers, keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, and accessories. What we can’t refurbish we recycle in an enviromentally friendly manner. We happily provide receipts for tax purposes.
We work together with Street Tech, our sister, nonprofit training organization, to give their students hands-on experience by enabling them to perform refurbishing. We then provide the renewed computers to low-income families, students, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Bay Area.
We especially seek to work with companies able to donate significant numbers of late-model computers. We offer free pickup for 5 units or more.
Street:2300 El Portal Drive, Suite G
City:San Pablo, CA 94806
Phone:(510) 236-7000
Email:info@reliatech.org
Web Site: www.reliatech.org

 

Shelter Hill Computer Learning Center
Shelter Hill works with the HUD Neighborhood Networks program and community agencies like the Marin Computer Resource Center to make technology available to economically disadvantaged populations. The Shelter Hill Computer Learning Center provides used computer equipment, technical/job training and support to residents of a subsidized housing residential community in Mill Valley, CA.
Street: 33 Miwok Way
City: Mill Valley, CA
Phone: (415) 383-1571
More Information: Marin.org page

 

Source: Peter Kilkus of The Environmental Forum of Marin