What Counts as E-Waste? 10 Surprising Items You Can Recycle

Baylasan Snober
Jun 24
3 min read

When people hear the term e-waste, they often think of old laptops or smartphones. But electronic waste includes a far broader and sometimes unexpected range of devices used every day in homes, offices, and facilities.

At Elian Electronics Recycling, we specialize in the secure, sustainable, and compliant disposal of all types of electronics, not just computers and phones. If you’re unsure what qualifies as e-waste, here are 10 everyday items you might not realize should be recycled—not trashed.

🔌 1. Coffee Machines

Many office coffee makers and espresso machines contain circuit boards, wiring, and internal electronics—making them eligible for recycling as e-waste.

📠 2. Fax Machines

Still hiding in a backroom? Fax machines have memory storage, wiring, and non-biodegradable plastics that require proper disposal.

📞 3. Analog Phones

Even basic landline phones contain electronic components and wiring that classify them as e-waste and make them harmful to landfill environments.

🎧 4. Audio / Visual Equipment

From speakers and amplifiers to mixers and media production tools, A/V equipment contains heavy metals and internal electronics that must be recycled responsibly.

🍽️ 5. Microwaves & Mini Fridges

Common in office kitchens, these appliances contain transformers, control panels, and wiring—making them accepted e-waste items at Elian Electronics Recycling.

💳 6. POS Systems

Point-of-sale terminals and card readers store sensitive customer data and include circuit boards and memory—posing both environmental and data security risks if not recycled correctly.

🖨️ 7. Printers & Cartridges

Outdated or broken printers and their toner or ink cartridges are recyclable. Proper disposal prevents plastic pollution and keeps chemicals out of landfills.

🧪 8. Medical & Testing Equipment

Devices like centrifuges, patient monitors, or lab testing machines often contain hazardous materials and sensitive data. Elian handles them with full compliance.

📷 9. Cameras

From office security cameras to professional photography gear, these devices include batteries, memory, and circuit boards that require careful handling and recycling.

🔋 10. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies)

These backup battery units are vital in IT environments but can pose serious safety risks if disposed of improperly. Elian ensures safe collection and certified processing.

✅ What We Accept: Qualified E-Waste Examples

Elian Electronics Recycling offers free pickups for businesses with 10 or more qualifying items. Once you meet that minimum, we’ll also pick up any courtesy items (such as cables, mice, printers, phones, and small appliances) at no extra charge.

Here’s a sample of accepted items:

Computers, Laptops, Tablets
Smartphones and LCD Screens
POS Systems, Switches, Routers, Networking Gear
Medical & Testing Equipment
Audio / Visual Equipment, Media Production Gear
Blade Servers
Keyboards, Mice, Cables, Cameras
Printers, VOIP Phones, Analog Phones
Coffee Machines, Microwaves, Mini Fridges
UPS Devices

Need the full list? Visit our Services page for more details.

♻️ Why Responsible E-Waste Recycling Matters

Many electronics contain hazardous materials—like lead, mercury, and cadmium—that can leach into soil and water if not handled properly. Others store sensitive company or customer data. That’s why Elian Electronics Recycling follows certified, secure, and environmentally responsible processes for all items we collect.

Schedule Your Free Business Pickup Today

If you have 10 or more qualifying items, we’ll come to you—free of charge. Let Elian Electronics Recycling help you recycle the right way, with: