There’s probably a drawer somewhere in your home that’s a tangled, slightly embarrassing mess of old phone chargers, random USB cables, maybe even a long-retired HDMI cord from your pre-streaming days. At some point, we all become accidental tech hoarders.
But with climate change becoming more than just a buzzword and e-waste rising faster than we’d like, the way we handle our discarded tech—yes, even those cords—matters. The good news? You can deal with your old cables without trashing the planet, cluttering your home, or making it harder on your future self.
Here’s your friendly, smart, and non-judgy guide to dealing with your cable clutter like a pro.
Why You Shouldn’t Just Throw Them Out
Tossing cords into the trash isn't just inefficient—it’s environmentally damaging.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. According to the United Nations' Global E-Waste Monitor, the world generated 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019, and only 17.4% was formally recycled. That number is climbing.
Cables may seem harmless, but they often contain copper, aluminum, plastic, and even small amounts of heavy metals—materials that take hundreds of years to break down in landfills and could leach into soil or water systems.
And most importantly: those materials are recyclable. But only if you know what to do with them.
Step 1: Sort, Don’t Stuff
Before you do anything else, dump out your cable drawer. (Go ahead, I’ll wait.)
Now sort everything into a few simple piles:
- Still useful: working cords that match current devices
- Mystery cords: you forgot what they connect to (don’t worry, we all have these)
- Duplicates: those four extra micro-USBs from your Bluetooth speaker phase
- Damaged or frayed: should not be reused
Keep it practical. If you haven’t used a cable in two years, and you’re not likely to need it again, it’s probably time to let it go.
Step 2: Label and Store What You Keep
This may sound like a small thing, but labeling cords can save you hours of confusion later. You don’t need a fancy label maker—painter’s tape and a Sharpie work just fine.
I now keep:
- A USB-C and Lightning cable per person in the household
- One HDMI and one extension cord
- A universal charging block
- One travel kit with extras
Everything goes in a soft storage pouch labeled by type. No more playing “cord roulette” when a device dies at 2% battery.
Step 3: Find Out What Your Old Cords Are Made Of (and Why It Matters)
Most chargers and cords contain valuable metals like copper and gold, encased in plastic insulation. That means they’re recyclable—but not in your curbside bin.
Throwing cords in regular recycling can damage machinery at recycling centers, because the cables wrap around gears. That’s why tech-specific recycling is so important.
Instead, your options look like this:
- Manufacturer take-back programs
- E-waste collection sites
- Retailer drop-off programs
- Certified mail-in recyclers
More on these below.
Step 4: Donate or Resell If They're Still Working
If your cords still work, they may have life left in someone else’s hands.
Where to donate:
- Schools or nonprofits (especially if they work with low-income students or digital literacy programs)
- Community centers
- Buy Nothing groups
- Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle (yes, even old cords!)
Tip: bundle cables by type and label them to make donation easier and more appealing.
Many local recycling or donation centers will not accept loose or unmarked cords, so bundling increases the chance they’ll be reused.
And if you're tech-savvy, selling old chargers (especially brand-specific ones, like Apple or Samsung) on platforms like eBay or Mercari might net you a few bucks.
Step 5: Recycle Them the Right Way
If they’re frayed, non-functional, or just not worth donating, it’s time to recycle. But as we said earlier, not all recycling bins are created equal.
Here are some places that responsibly recycle cords and chargers:
1. Staples or Best Buy (U.S.)
Both offer free electronics recycling—even if you didn’t buy the item there. They usually accept cords, chargers, batteries, and small tech items.
2. Local E-Waste Collection Events
Check your city’s website. Many towns hold free “Tech Recycling Days” where you can drop off anything from cords to laptops to TVs.
3. Mail-In Programs
Organizations like Call2Recycle, TerraCycle, and GreenDisk offer paid or free mail-in recycling programs for cables and chargers. These are great if you live far from a drop-off center or have a big batch.
4. Manufacturer Takeback
Apple, Dell, Amazon, and others have tech recycling initiatives where you can send back cables or accessories for free. It’s worth checking your device brand’s website before tossing anything.
Never throw electronics into regular trash bins. Many states have e-waste laws that prohibit it, and doing so can lead to fines or environmental harm.
Step 6: Repurpose Creatively (If You’re Feeling Crafty)
Still not ready to part with your tangle of old cords? Get creative.
Some clever upcycling ideas:
- Use cord sheaths for DIY drawer organizers
- Turn colorful cables into art installations (yes, really—search Pinterest)
- Repurpose old chargers into USB power extensions for drawers or nightstands
- Use twist-ties or USB plugs as plant markers or cable management clips
Repurposing may not solve the e-waste problem on its own, but it can keep a few cords out of landfills—and spark your inner inventor.
The Answer Corner
Q: Can I recycle cords in my regular recycling bin? No. Cords can damage recycling equipment. Use certified e-waste recycling instead.
Q: Are any cords valuable enough to sell? Yes—especially older Apple, audio, or camera-specific cables. Check resale sites like eBay or forums for niche buyers.
Q: How many spare cords should I keep? Ideally, no more than one per device or person. You don’t need five phone chargers “just in case.”
Q: What if I’m overwhelmed with sorting? Set a timer for 20 minutes and do one drawer or box at a time. You don’t need to do it all at once.
Q: Is it better to donate or recycle? If it still works and someone could use it—donate. If it’s broken or obsolete—recycle responsibly.
Conclusion: From Drawer Chaos to Eco Clarity
Decluttering your cords doesn’t have to be a dramatic, Marie Kondo-level event. It’s simply about becoming more aware of what we own, what we actually use, and how our tech trash impacts the planet.
A drawer full of dead chargers may seem like a small issue—but multiplied across millions of households, it becomes a real environmental concern. The good news? You have the power to choose better.
So, open that drawer. Make a plan. Label a few things. Donate what you can. Recycle what you can’t. And next time a gadget comes with “yet another cable,” you’ll know exactly how to handle it—without clutter or guilt.
