TVs & computers cannot go in Buffalo curbside trash — NYS law prohibits it. Free recycling options below. ↓
Buffalo NY · Erie & Niagara County E-Waste Guide
ELECTRONICS
RECYCLING
BUFFALO NY
Where to drop off old TVs, computers, phones and more in Erie & Niagara County — free. Most Buffalo residents don’t know these programs exist.
If the cleanout feels overwhelming — NCB buys Buffalo homes as-is. Leave the TVs, the computers, the furniture, everything. No removal required before closing. Cash offer in 24 hours. Close in 7 days.
DISCLAIMER: Nickel City Buyers, LLC is not affiliated with, compensated by, or endorsing any recycling program or organization listed here. Hours, accepted items, and fees change frequently — always call ahead before making a trip. Last updated March 2026.
70%
Of toxic landfill waste is electronics
$60M
In gold & silver lost to US landfills yearly
FREE
City of Buffalo e-waste drop-off — no charge
5
Free items per year at Seneca St facility
Section 01 — City of Buffalo Program
The Free City of Buffalo E-Waste Drop-Off
Most Buffalo residents don’t know the city runs its own free electronics recycling facility. TVs, computers, monitors, printers — accepted at no charge. This is the program to know if you’re cleaning out a Buffalo home.
Official City Program — Free
City of Buffalo Electronics Recycling Facility
1120 Seneca Street
Buffalo, NY 14210
Buffalo’s Primary Free E-Waste Drop-Off
Accepted Items
✓ Computers & accessories
✓ TVs and monitors (all types)
✓ Audio/visual equipment
✓ Cell phones & tablets
✓ Printers, scanners, fax machines
✓ Video games & systems
✓ Circuit boards & cables
✓ Ink & toner cartridges
This program is for City of Buffalo residents only. Cheektowaga, Amherst, Tonawanda, and other suburb residents — see the Erie County and Buffalo Computer Recycling options below.
Official City Resource
Visit buffalorecycles.org — the City of Buffalo’s official recycling resource. Part of Mayor Sean M. Ryan’s “34 and More” initiative.
If you’re clearing out a property before a sale — NCB buys Buffalo homes exactly as they sit. Old TVs in the basement. Computers in every room. We’ve seen it all. Leave everything behind. Cash offer in 24 hours. Close in 7 days. No removal required before sale.
Free drive-through e-waste collection events serve Buffalo and Erie County throughout the year
Section 02 — WNY-Wide Options
Sunnking, Buffalo Computer Recycling, Hazman & Erie County
Four options that serve the broader WNY area — not just City of Buffalo residents. Each has different strengths depending on what you need to recycle and where you live.
NY State EPA R2 Certified Recycler
Sunnking
sunnking.com · Drive-Through Events + Partner Drop-Offs
NY State’s first EPA R2 certified electronics recycler. Runs free drive-through community collection events throughout WNY — Cheektowaga events confirmed annually. No quantity limits at events. Use sunnking.com/dropoff to find permanent partner drop-off sites near you by zip code.
Locally Owned WNY Business
Buffalo Computer Recycling
buffalocomputerrecycling.com · (716) 545-6369
Locally owned WNY business focused exclusively on responsible electronics recycling. Serves Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, Genesee, and Orleans counties. Free next-day pickup for qualifying organizations. Drop-off by appointment Mon–Fri 9AM–4PM. Zero electronics go to landfill.
Hazardous Waste + Electronics
Hazman
hazmanusa.com · Tonawanda, NY — minutes from Buffalo
Accepts TVs, computers, air conditioners, refrigerators (Freon appliances), and a full range of household hazardous waste. Everything reused, recycled, or waste-to-energy — zero landfill. Best option when you have both electronics and other hazardous materials to dispose of in one trip.
Erie County Program
Erie County Recycling Program
erie.gov/recycling · (716) 858-6800
Erie County maintains a searchable directory of permanent e-waste drop-off locations by municipality. Enter your city or zip at erie.gov/recycling. Erie County also runs annual Household Hazardous Waste collection events that accept electronics — check the website for 2026 event dates.
Before You Recycle —
Protect Your Data.
Putting an old computer at the curb — or donating it without wiping it — can expose your most sensitive personal information to identity thieves.
- Bank account numbers and passwords stored in browsers
- Social Security numbers in tax documents or autofill
- Email accounts, contacts, and private photos
- Saved credit card information in online stores
- Health records, legal documents, work files
- WiFi passwords and network credentials
What to do before drop-off:
Factory reset your phone. Use Windows’ “Reset and Remove Everything” or Mac’s “Erase All Content” to wipe your hard drive. For certified data destruction, Buffalo Computer Recycling and Sunnking physically shred hard drives — the gold standard for sensitive data.
Section 03 — What’s Accepted
What You Can Recycle in Buffalo
Most consumer electronics are accepted at Buffalo-area programs. Here’s the full list of what these programs typically take.
Televisions
CRT, flat screen, plasma — all types
Computers & Laptops
Desktops, laptops, tablets, Chromebooks
Monitors
CRT and LCD/flat panel
Cell Phones
All carriers — NYS law requires retailer acceptance
Printers & Scanners
Inkjet, laser, all-in-one, fax machines
Video Games & Systems
Consoles, controllers, cartridges
Cameras & Camcorders
Digital cameras, camcorders, GoPros
Cables & Circuit Boards
Power cords, HDMI, USB, motherboards
Audio/Visual Equipment
Stereos, DVD/VCR players, speakers, routers
What You CANNOT Drop Off
NYS Cell Phone Law: Under New York State law, all cellular phone retailers — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Best Buy, and any carrier store in WNY — are required to accept old cell phones for recycling at no charge. No purchase required. Walk in and drop it off.
Section 04 — Retail Drop-Off Options
Retailers That Accept Old Electronics
Several major retail chains accept old electronics for recycling — often free or for a small fee. Convenient when you’re already making a shopping trip.
Best Buy
Most comprehensive retail recycling. Accepts computers, TVs, phones, tablets, cables, ink cartridges. Drop-off kiosk at front of store. Large TV fees may apply.
Free for most items · Fee for large TVsStaples
Accepts computers, laptops, monitors, printers, tablets, and ink cartridges. In-store recycling kiosks. Ink cartridge recycling earns Staples Rewards points.
Free for most electronicsApple Store (Walden Galleria)
Apple Trade-In and recycling for any Apple device. Trade-in value on working devices. Non-working devices recycled free. iPhone, Mac, iPad, Watch accepted.
Free · Trade-in credit availableVerizon / AT&T / T-Mobile
NYS law requires all carriers to accept any cell phone for recycling at no charge — any brand, any carrier, working or not. Walk in, drop off, done.
Free — Required by NYS LawOffice Depot / OfficeMax
Accepts ink and toner cartridges, tech accessories, and small electronics. Drop-off bins in store. Rewards for cartridge recycling.
Free for ink cartridgesHome Depot / Lowe’s
Accepts rechargeable batteries, CFLs, and some electronics. Drop-off bins near entrance. Good add-on to a home improvement trip. Full battery disposal guide →
Free for batteries & bulbs
This Could Be
Your Garage.
One afternoon. Free drop-off. No truck rental. The electronics pile that’s been growing for years disappears — and all of it gets responsibly recycled instead of going to a landfill.
Your Quick Action Plan
01 Collect all electronics in one spot
02 Wipe hard drives — factory reset phones
03 Choose your drop-off from this guide
04 Drop off — free, fast, done
📺 Old TV Disposal
Where to Drop Off an Old TV in Buffalo NY
Old TVs — CRTs, rear-projection, flat screens, plasma — cannot go in Buffalo curbside trash. NYS law bans them. Here are your free drop-off options in Buffalo and Erie County:
| Location | Address | Cost |
| City of Buffalo E-Waste Drop-Off | 1120 Seneca St, Buffalo NY 14210 | Free — Buffalo residents |
| Sunnking Electronics Recycling | Community events across Erie County — check sunnking.com | Free — no limit |
| Best Buy | Multiple Erie County locations | Free drop-off in-store, most TV sizes |
| Hazman Inc. | Erie County household hazardous waste events | Free — Erie County residents |
CRT TVs (the old boxy ones) are accepted at all locations above. Flat screens, plasma, and OLED TVs are accepted at Sunnking events and Best Buy. Call ahead to confirm current accepted items before making a trip.
📺 Flat Screen TV Recycling
Flat Screen TV Recycling Near Buffalo NY — Free Options
Flat screen TVs — LCD, LED, OLED, plasma — contain materials that cannot go to landfill under NYS law. Here’s where to take them in the Buffalo area at no cost:
| Option | Details |
| Sunnking Community Events | Free, no quantity limit, held throughout Erie County. All flat screen types accepted. Check sunnking.com for upcoming dates and locations near you. |
| Best Buy In-Store Drop-Off | Most Best Buy locations accept flat screen TVs up to 50” free of charge. Larger screens may have a small fee. No purchase required. |
| 1120 Seneca St (City of Buffalo) | City of Buffalo residents can drop flat screens here free. Call (716) 851-5411 to confirm current hours before visiting. |
Have more than a flat screen to deal with? If you’re clearing out a full house, NCB buys Buffalo homes as-is and you leave everything.
💻 Laptops & Computers
Where to Take Old Laptops & Recycle Computers Free in Buffalo NY
Old laptops, desktops, towers, monitors, and computer peripherals are banned from Buffalo curbside trash under NYS law. The good news: there are more free options for computers and laptops in Buffalo than for almost any other type of e-waste.
| Option | What They Take | Cost & Notes |
| Sunnking Electronics | Laptops, desktops, towers, monitors, keyboards, mice, all peripherals | Free — no quantity limit. Data destruction available. |
| Buffalo Computer Recycling | Laptops, desktops, servers, networking equipment | Free for most items. Specializes in volume pickups. |
| Best Buy | Laptops, desktops, monitors, tablets | Free in-store drop-off, no purchase required. 3-item daily limit per household. |
| Goodwill Buffalo | Working laptops and computers only | Free donation. Must power on. Wipe your data first. Full donation guide → |
| 1120 Seneca St | Computers, monitors, laptops | Free — City of Buffalo residents only |
🔒 Wipe Your Data Before You Recycle
Factory reset is not enough. Use DBAN (free) to overwrite your hard drive, or ask Sunnking about their certified data destruction service. Your tax returns, passwords, and personal files don’t disappear with a factory reset — they need to be overwritten.
♡ Working Electronics? Donate Instead of Recycling.
If your electronics still power on, donation is often the better choice. Buffalo organizations including Journey’s End Refugee Services, Goodwill, and local schools accept working laptops, tablets, monitors, and phones. See the Free Donation Pickup Buffalo NY guide →
Common Questions
Electronics Recycling Buffalo — FAQ
Can I put a TV or computer in the trash in Buffalo NY?
Is electronics recycling really free in Buffalo?
What if I live in Cheektowaga, Amherst, or another Buffalo suburb?
I inherited a house with a basement full of old electronics — best approach?
Should I worry about my personal data when recycling old electronics?
Can I donate working electronics instead of recycling them?
Where can I drop off an old TV in Buffalo NY for free?
Where is flat screen TV recycling near me in Buffalo?
Where can I take old laptops in Buffalo NY?
Where can I recycle computers for free near Buffalo NY?
IRS Charitable Deduction
Donating Working Electronics May Be Tax Deductible
When you donate working electronics to a qualifying 501(c)(3) — Goodwill, Salvation Army, Journey’s End — you may deduct the fair market value from your taxable income. For estate sales, this can meaningfully reduce tax exposure.
What you need: A written receipt from the charity noting what was donated and its estimated fair market value. For donations over $500, IRS Form 8283 is required. Consult your CPA — this is general information, not tax advice.
Nickel City Buyers
NCB Believes In Giving Back
Since 2013, NCB has quietly donated to Buffalo organizations — the Buffalo City Mission, Toys for Tots, the Castellani Art Museum Sock Drive at Niagara University, and Books for Kids/Project Flight. Not for press. Because this is our community.
“We buy houses in this city. We profit from transactions in this community. The least we can do — and we mean that literally — is give something back.”
SELLING A BUFFALO HOME
FULL OF ELECTRONICS?
If you sell to Nickel City Buyers — you don’t need to recycle, donate, or dispose of anything before closing. Take what matters. Leave everything else. NCB handles the entire cleanout after closing at no cost to you.
Part of the Buffalo NY Homeowner Resource Center — the most complete homeowner resource in Western New York.
Service Area — Nickel City Buyers, LLC
Nickel City Buyers, LLC · 3842 Harlem Rd STE 400-339, Cheektowaga, NY 14215 · (716) 557-7005 · nickelcitybuyers.com · Buying houses across Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Amherst, Tonawanda, Lackawanna, West Seneca, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Lancaster, Depew, Kenmore, Williamsville, East Aurora, Clarence, Grand Island, Niagara Falls, Lockport, North Tonawanda, Lewiston, Youngstown, Wheatfield, Pendleton, Newfane and all of Erie and Niagara County since 2013. A+ BBB · 5.0 Google. This electronics recycling guide serves all Western New York residents including all Erie County and Niagara County municipalities.