The best examples of recycling mobile accessories: 3 practical examples that actually work

Let’s start with what most people can do this weekend: walk into a store and drop off a bag of old tech.

Across the U.S., big retailers now offer some of the best examples of recycling mobile accessories in the real world. These programs aren’t just for phones and laptops – they often accept the smaller stuff that piles up fastest.

Think about what’s in your drawer:

• Frayed charging cables (USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, micro-USB)
• Old wired earbuds or broken headphones
• Dead power banks
• Phone chargers and wall bricks
• Car chargers and Bluetooth earpieces

Those are all common examples of mobile accessories that can go into store recycling bins.

Real example of a retailer program you can use

Many big-box electronics stores in the U.S. have free electronics recycling bins near the entrance or customer service desk. They typically accept:

• Cables and cords
• Chargers and adapters
• Small electronics and accessories

These programs partner with certified e-waste recyclers who shred and separate materials to recover copper, aluminum, steel, and certain plastics. That’s where the real recycling happens.

For U.S. readers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains guidance on electronics recycling and why it matters for toxic materials like lead and mercury in the broader e-waste stream: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling.

If you want to copy this example of recycling mobile accessories in your own life, here’s a simple, non-fancy system:

• Keep a small box or bag labeled “Tech Recycling” at home.
• Toss in dead cables, broken earbuds, and worn-out chargers as you find them.
• When the bag is full, bring it on your next trip to a participating store.

It sounds almost too simple, but this is one of the best examples of how small, repeated actions add up when millions of people participate.

2. Manufacturer take-back: examples of recycling mobile accessories built into brand programs

The second set of examples of recycling mobile accessories comes directly from the companies making your devices. Many phone brands and accessory makers now run take-back or mail-in programs, especially in the U.S. and Europe.

These programs are worth paying attention to because:

• They often use certified e-waste recyclers.
• Some offer trade-in credit or discounts.
• They’re designed specifically around phones and related accessories.

How manufacturer programs typically work

Most manufacturer systems follow a similar pattern:

• You go to the brand’s website and look for “recycling,” “trade-in,” or “take-back.”
• You register your device or accessories.
• You either print a prepaid shipping label or receive a mailer.
• You send in your old phone and, in some cases, accessories like chargers and earbuds.

These brand-led programs provide clear, real examples of recycling mobile accessories being built into a product’s full life cycle, from sale to end-of-life.

What actually happens to your accessories

Behind the scenes, the recycler will:

• Remove batteries from power banks and Bluetooth accessories.
• Shred cables and chargers.
• Separate metals (like copper and aluminum) from plastic insulation.

According to the EPA, recycling metals from electronics uses significantly less energy than mining and refining new metals, and it reduces the need for new raw material extraction: https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-management-materials-electronics.

While exact numbers vary by program and location, industry data shows that cables and chargers are especially valuable for their copper content. That’s why these are some of the best examples of recycling mobile accessories that actually generate value instead of just avoiding waste.

3. Municipal e-waste days: community-level examples of recycling mobile accessories

The third of our primary 3 practical examples is something many people overlook: local government e-waste collection.

Counties and cities across the U.S. host periodic electronics recycling events where residents can drop off everything from TVs to phones to small accessories. These events are often run in partnership with certified recyclers and are either free or low-cost.

These community events are some of the most underrated examples of recycling mobile accessories because:

• They accept a wide range of items in one trip.
• They’re designed to keep hazardous materials out of landfills.
• They’re usually set up for drive-through convenience.

What you can bring

Policies vary, but common accepted items include:

• Old cell phones and smartphones
• Chargers and power adapters
• USB cables and extension cords
• Wired and wireless earbuds
• Small speakers and Bluetooth accessories

To find events like this in the U.S., check your city or county solid waste department website, or search for “electronics recycling event” plus your ZIP code. The EPA also offers general guidance on finding certified recyclers and local options: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables.

This is a strong example of recycling mobile accessories working at scale: one Saturday event can collect thousands of pounds of small electronics and accessories that might otherwise sit in drawers or go straight to the trash.

Beyond the big 3: more real examples of recycling mobile accessories in 2024–2025

Those 3 practical examples – store drop-off, manufacturer take-back, and municipal e-waste days – are the backbone. But they’re not the whole story.

There are several other real examples of recycling mobile accessories, or at least extending their life so they don’t become waste so quickly.

Repair cafes and community tech swaps

In many cities, volunteer-run “repair cafes” and community tech swaps have exploded in popularity. These are events where people bring broken items and volunteers try to fix them.

For mobile accessories, that might mean:

• Re-soldering a loose connection on a favorite pair of wired headphones.
• Replacing a battery in a Bluetooth speaker.
• Testing and sorting cables to keep the working ones in circulation.

While this isn’t recycling in the strict, industrial sense, it’s part of the same solution: keeping materials in use longer. In the language of the circular economy, repair and reuse sit right alongside recycling.

Refurbish and resale platforms

Another example of recycling mobile accessories in practice is the rise of refurbish-and-resell platforms. Many refurbishers now bundle used (but tested) chargers and cables with secondhand phones or sell them separately at a discount.

This creates a second life for accessories that might otherwise be tossed when someone upgrades their phone. It also helps reduce demand for brand-new, low-quality accessories that wear out quickly.

Creative upcycling and donation

Not every cable or case needs to go straight into a shredder. Some schools, makerspaces, and STEM programs accept:

• Old phone cases for art or design projects.
• Working chargers and cables for classroom devices.
• Headphones for computer labs or language learning.

These are softer, more creative examples of recycling mobile accessories – technically more “reuse” than recycling – but they still keep materials out of the waste stream.

If you go this route, always check with the organization first. Many will only accept working, safe items, especially anything with a battery.

How to decide where your mobile accessories should go

Let’s pull this together into something you can actually act on.

When you’re sorting through your pile of mobile accessories, think in three simple categories:

1. Still working and safe

• Donate to a local charity, school, or community center (if they accept them).
• Give to a friend or family member who needs extras.
• Sell or bundle with a used phone you’re reselling.

These are practical examples of recycling mobile accessories through reuse.

2. Not working, but not dangerous

• Cables with broken connectors.
• Chargers that no longer power up.
• Wired earbuds with one dead side.

These are great candidates for:

• Store drop-off bins.
• Municipal e-waste events.
• Manufacturer take-back if they accept accessories.

3. Anything with a battery

• Power banks.
• Bluetooth earbuds and headphones.
• Wireless chargers with integrated batteries.

These need more careful handling. Batteries can cause fires if tossed in household trash or regular recycling. The U.S. EPA has specific safety warnings about battery disposal and recycling: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries.

For battery-containing accessories, look specifically for:

• Electronics recycling programs that mention batteries.
• Retailers with separate battery recycling bins.
• Local hazardous waste or e-waste events that accept batteries.

Why these examples of recycling mobile accessories matter

It’s easy to shrug at a single cable or charger. It weighs almost nothing. But zoom out.

Globally, the world generated an estimated 62 million metric tons of e-waste in 2022, and that number is expected to keep climbing through 2030. Mobile accessories are a slice of that mountain. They’re small, but they’re everywhere.

The best examples of recycling mobile accessories do three things at once:

• Recover valuable materials like copper, aluminum, and certain plastics.
• Reduce pollution by keeping electronics and batteries out of landfills and incinerators.
• Send a signal to manufacturers that take-back and recycling programs matter to customers.

When you use any example of recycling mobile accessories described here – store drop-off, brand take-back, local e-waste events, repair, reuse, or donation – you’re nudging the system in the right direction.

And you’re also doing something very practical: cleaning out that drawer in a way that actually makes sense.

FAQ: Real-world questions about recycling mobile accessories

What are some common examples of recycling mobile accessories that regular people actually use?
The most common examples include dropping off old chargers and cables at electronics stores, mailing accessories back through manufacturer take-back programs, and bringing bags of small accessories to city or county e-waste collection events. Some people also donate working chargers and headphones to schools or charities.

Can phone cases be recycled, or are they trash?
It depends on the material. Hard plastic cases are sometimes accepted by specialized plastic recyclers, but many curbside programs won’t take them. Silicone, rubber, and mixed-material cases are harder to recycle. If your local e-waste program doesn’t list phone cases, consider reuse: pass them on with a used phone, donate them to a school art program, or look for brands that offer case take-back.

Is there any example of recycling mobile accessories that gives you money back?
Yes, but usually indirectly. Trade-in programs for phones sometimes give higher value if you include original chargers or accessories. Refurbish-and-resell platforms may pay more for complete bundles. Pure recycling of cables and chargers usually doesn’t pay cash to individuals, but it does recover valuable metals for the recycler.

Are all mobile accessories safe to toss in the trash if I can’t find recycling?
No. Anything with a battery – like power banks, Bluetooth earbuds, and wireless headphones – should never go in regular trash or curbside recycling. They can spark fires in garbage trucks or facilities. Look for electronics or battery recycling options instead.

What’s the simplest example of recycling mobile accessories if I only want to do one thing?
Set up a small “tech recycling” bag at home and, a few times a year, drop it at a store or local e-waste event. That one habit captures cables, chargers, and small accessories in a way that’s easy to maintain.

Do tiny items like earbuds and cables really make a difference if I recycle them?
On their own, they’re small. But when millions of people do it, they add up to tons of copper, aluminum, and plastic being recovered instead of wasted. These are exactly the kind of quiet, repeatable examples of recycling mobile accessories that support a more circular electronics system.