Here's what happens to your old computer parts you donate to Goodwill
If it plugs in, or has a battery, it is a safe bet that Goodwill will take it. The organization accepts desktop and laptop computers, mice, keyboards and other accessories. It will also take video game consoles, mobile phones, digital cameras, chargers and other cables. Internal and external hard drives are also accepted.
Whether it is a complete device or just parts, you can drop e-waste at Goodwill through its drop-off centers. What happens to it next depends on what kind of gadget you are donating, its working condition and your store location. "The type and size of equipment may vary, but the secure recycling process is the same for all materials," Goodwill says on its website.
The website also reminds donors to follow some best practices before donation: be sure to delete any data or files on the devices. But if you forget, Goodwill has a system in place to remove data, including a device called the Destroyinator to run a program called KillDisk that will wipe your electronics clean: "We take protection of your personal data very seriously," the company says.
