What data destruction methods are used for hard drives?

Certified recyclers offer hard drive shredding, degaussing, and software wipe with certificates of destruction (NAID AAA verified). Some provide chain-of-custody documentation for business compliance.

Can I recycle a laptop with a broken screen?

Yes — broken laptops are accepted at most e-waste recyclers. Remove the battery if possible. Some recyclers charge a small fee for broken devices.

Electronics Recycling · Dallas, TX · Local guide

Computer Recycling in Dallas

Q: Where can Dallas residents drop off computer recycling?

Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3) accepts most household items. Free for City of Dallas residents at 11234 Plano Rd, Dallas 75243. Tue 9 AM-7:30 PM; Wed-Thu 8:30 AM-5 PM; 2nd & 4th Sat 9 AM-3 PM. Mon-Fri closed. No appointment needed. Accepts HHW, batteries, paint, computers, cell phones, automotive fluids, fluorescent bulbs. TVs and appliances NOT accepted — take those to a city transfer station or McCommas Bluff Landfill. Free BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze) mobile events also available. Phone: (214) 553-1765. Verify hours and accepted items before going.

Texas Recycles Computers Program requires manufacturer takeback (Dell, HP, Apple, Lenovo, etc.). McCommas Bluff and all city transfer stations accept computers free for Dallas residents. STS Electronic Recycling offers free drop-off with NAID AAA data destruction. Goodwill Dallas accepts computers via Dell Reconnect. DFW Electronics Recycling offers free drop-off. HC3 accepts small numbers of computers and cell phones.

Where to drop off computer recycling in Dallas

11 local options, verified against listing sources.

Dallas County household hazardous waste program

Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3)

Free for City of Dallas residents at 11234 Plano Rd, Dallas 75243. Tue 9 AM-7:30 PM; Wed-Thu 8:30 AM-5 PM; 2nd & 4th Sat 9 AM-3 PM. Mon-Fri closed. No appointment needed. Accepts HHW, batteries, paint, computers, cell phones, automotive fluids, fluorescent bulbs. TVs and appliances NOT accepted — take those to a city transfer station or McCommas Bluff Landfill. Free BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze) mobile events also available.

Phone: (214) 553-1765 · Website: official program page ↗

Other local programs

Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3)

Free HHW drop-off for City of Dallas residents. 11234 Plano Rd, Dallas 75243. Tue 9 AM-7:30 PM; Wed-Thu 8:30 AM-5 PM; 2nd & 4th Sat 9 AM-3 PM. No appointment needed. Accepts batteries (all types), paint (latex and oil-based), automotive fluids, fluorescent bulbs, pesticides, household cleaners, computers, and cell phones. Does NOT accept TVs or appliances.

Phone: 214-553-1765
BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze) Mobile Collection Events

Rotating monthly collection events at locations across Dallas County for HHW items. Free for residents of member cities. Check county website for schedule and location.

Phone: 214-553-1765
McCommas Bluff Landfill — Electronics Drop-Off

Free electronics recycling for City of Dallas residents. 5100 Youngblood Rd, Dallas 75241. Mon-Fri 5 AM-8 PM; Sat 6 AM-4 PM. Accepts computers, monitors, TVs, printers, laptops, tablets, phones, and all e-waste. Processed by URT Solutions (e-Stewards certified).

Phone: 214-670-0977
Bachman Transfer Station (Northwest Dallas)

Free electronics drop-off for City of Dallas residents. 9500 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas 75220. Mon-Sat 7 AM-4:30 PM. Also accepts recyclables, scrap metal, brush, furniture, tires (limit 6/year).

Phone: 214-670-6161
STS Electronic Recycling

R2v3 and NAID AAA certified e-waste recycler. 10000 N Central Expy, Dallas. Free residential drop-off and free business pickup. Serves AT&T, UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White, Dallas County. NIST 800-88 compliant data destruction.

Phone: 844-699-2913
DFW Electronics Recycling

Free electronics drop-off in Farmers Branch (3238 Towerwood Dr) and Plano (4100 E Park Blvd). Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM. Drive-up service, no appointment needed. Free commercial pickup for 10+ items.
United Electronic Recycling

R2v3 certified electronics recycler in Coppell. Hosts DFW Recycles Day free recycling events (Jan & July) when all fees are waived. Regular fees: $5 CRTs, $25 TVs. Also offers free paper shredding during events.
Okon Recycling — Solar Panel & Scrap Metal

5901 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas. Accepts solar panels, e-scrap, and scrap metal (copper, aluminum, brass, steel). One of few DFW recyclers handling solar panel end-of-life. Call for appointment.

Phone: 214-426-6566
Call2Recycle Battery Drop-Off (Dallas-Fort Worth)

Free rechargeable and lithium-ion battery drop-off at participating Dallas-area Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Staples, and other retail locations. Do NOT bring damaged, defective, or recalled (DDR) batteries. Tape terminals before drop-off.
Texas Recycles Computers Program (TCEQ)

State law requires computer manufacturers selling in Texas to offer free recycling of their own brand-labeled computer equipment to households. Covers desktops, laptops, tablets, monitors, and peripherals. Manufacturers registered with TCEQ include Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and many more.

Phone: 800-732-9253
Texas Recycles TVs Program (TCEQ)

TV manufacturers must register with TCEQ and file a recovery plan. Covers most consumer televisions (CRT, LCD, LED, plasma). Households can return brand-labeled TVs to the manufacturer's free takeback program.

Phone: 800-732-9253
AutoZone & O'Reilly — Car Battery Recycling

Free lead-acid car battery recycling at Dallas-area AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts locations. Core deposit refunded if buying new. Accepts marine, motorcycle, and lawn tractor batteries.
Goodwill Dallas / Dell Reconnect

Free computer equipment donation at participating Goodwill Dallas donation centers. Part of the Dell Reconnect program. Working and non-working computers, laptops, monitors, and peripherals accepted.
Best Buy (Dallas-Fort Worth locations)

Free recycling of most electronics (limit 3 items/household/day). TVs under 50" accepted for $29.99 fee. Accepts computers, monitors, printers, cables, small appliances, video game consoles. Multiple Dallas metro locations including Galleria Dallas, NorthPark Center, and others.

What to know in Dallas

Local rules and laws

Texas Recycles Computers Program (30 TAC Ch. 328, Subch. I): requires computer manufacturers selling in Texas to offer free takeback recycling for their brand-labeled computers to households. TCEQ maintains an annual manufacturer list.
Texas Recycles TVs Program (30 TAC Ch. 328, Subch. J): TV manufacturers must register with TCEQ and meet annual recycling targets. Free household takeback required by law.
Texas does NOT have a paint stewardship law — PaintCare does not operate in Texas (as of 2026). All paint disposal must go through municipal HHW programs (HC3 or BOPA events).
Dallas City Code Chapter 20-64(2): prohibits disposal of hazardous waste (including electronics, batteries, chemicals, paint) in curbside garbage or recycling containers. Violations can result in administrative fees.
Dallas City Code Chapter 21: regulates the Department of Sanitation Services and collection of solid waste, recyclable materials, and bulky items within city limits.
Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 361.106: prohibits improper disposal of lead-acid batteries, waste oil, and used oil filters. Applies statewide.
Texas Administrative Code Title 30 (Environment) Ch. 335: enforces Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) standards for hazardous waste management including small quantity generator rules for businesses.
Dallas Stormwater Management Ordinance (Chapter 49A-4): regulates illicit discharges and improper disposal of pollutants, including HHW, into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).

Useful local details

Dallas County's HC3 (Home Chemical Collection Center) does NOT accept TVs or major appliances — unlike many other city HHW facilities. For electronics, residents must use city transfer stations or McCommas Bluff Landfill. This split system (HC3 for HHW, transfer stations for electronics) is unique and often confuses first-timers.
McCommas Bluff Landfill and the transfer stations (Bachman, Fair Oaks, Westmoreland) all accept electronics but NOT paint, chemicals, or most batteries — those go to HC3. There is no single 'dump everything here' facility in Dallas. You may need two stops.
The Fair Oaks Transfer Station has extremely limited weekday hours (Mon-Fri 7-9 AM only) — literally just a 2-hour morning window. Plan for Saturday (7 AM-4 PM) or use a different station Mon-Fri.
Texas has NO PaintCare program — unlike Colorado, California, Oregon, or Washington where paint can be dropped at hardware stores, Dallas residents must take ALL paint (latex and oil-based) to the HC3. No retail paint drop-off is available.
Dallas County allows you to keep HHW containers from the HC3 — you bring in your old paint and chemicals and can take home the same type (e.g., bring latex paint, take home latex paint). This is a reuse program for partially-full usable containers.
The DFW Metroplex means independent city programs — Plano, Frisco, Irving, Arlington, and Fort Worth each have their own HHW/electronics programs separate from Dallas's. Check your city's rules. This guide covers Dallas proper.
Dallas experiences severe weather including tornadoes and hailstorms that generate significant storm-related debris. After major events, the city may set up temporary storm debris drop-off and waive disposal fees.
URT Solutions (e-Stewards certified) processes all e-waste from Dallas city facilities, including McCommas Bluff drop-offs. Some electronics that cannot be recycled are processed into fuel for cement kilns (waste-to-energy).
Non-Dallas residents CAN use the HC3 but pay significantly more ($95+ minimum waste mgmt fee). The facility primarily serves residents of Dallas and approximately 30 member cities that participate in the Dallas County program.
Goodwill Dallas locations participate in Dell Reconnect and accept any brand of computer equipment for free. Combined with HC3 for HHW, this covers most recycling needs for Dallas residents at no cost.

For general electronics recycling info — what's recyclable, how to prepare items, where the materials go — see the national electronics recycling guide. For all Dallas options, browse electronics recycling in Dallas.

Sources verified for this guide

Updated · 2026-05-19