Still have an old fax machine gathering dust in your office or home? You’re not alone. As offices go paperless, outdated fax machines have turned into bulky e-waste — and tossing them in the trash isn’t just unsafe, it’s often illegal.
Fax machines contain circuit boards, toner, and electronic components that classify them as hazardous waste. If you’re wondering how to recycle fax machines properly, where to recycle fax machines near you, or if Best Buy or Office Max takes them, this guide covers it all.
We’ll also explain how to dispose of fax machines following HIPAA guidelines, what to do if you want cash for your old machine, and how to prep it for safe drop-off or pickup.
Key Takeaway: How to Recycle Fax Machines Responsibly
To recycle a fax machine, find a certified e-waste recycler, erase stored data for security, and drop it off or schedule a pickup. Some machines can be donated if still working, while non-functional units are dismantled for parts like plastic, copper, and circuit boards. Never dispose of fax machines in the trash.
Can You Recycle Fax Machines?
Yes — fax machines are recyclable and should never be thrown in the trash. Most states classify them as e-waste, meaning they must be processed by certified electronics recyclers.
Unlike curbside recycling, which can’t accept electronic components, fax machines must go through a proper e-waste channel. This ensures that toxic parts like circuit boards and toner residue are safely removed and that reusable metals and plastics are recovered.
💡 Tip: Some fax machines also store sensitive information. If yours was used in healthcare, finance, or legal offices, make sure it’s wiped clean or recycled by a HIPAA-compliant recycler.
How to Recycle Fax Machines (5-Step Responsible Fax Machine Disposal Guide)
To recycle a fax machine, you’ll need to find a certified e-waste recycler, remove stored data, and ensure proper drop-off or pickup. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you recycle your old or broken fax machine safely and legally:
1. Find a Certified E-Waste Recycling Center
Fax machines are classified as electronic waste and can’t go in the trash or curbside recycling. Use a trusted resource like the Green Directory to find local recyclers that accept fax machines.
You can also check:
- Best Buy (accepts electronics at most locations)
- Office Depot / OfficeMax (via Tech Recycling Boxes)
- Municipal e-waste drop-off centers or household hazardous waste programs
📍Search for: “fax machine recycling near me,” “recycle old fax machine drop-off,” or “certified e-waste recycler.” to find responsible e-waste recycling centers and always call ahead to confirm what models they accept and whether fees apply.
2. Erase All Stored Data
Many fax machines store incoming and outgoing faxes, contact lists, and device logs. If your machine was used in a medical, financial, or legal settings, this data may be protected under HIPAA or data privacy laws.
✅ Before recycling:
- Perform a full memory reset (check the user manual)
- Remove internal storage (if applicable)
- Consider professional data destruction if unsure
If you’re unsure, some certified e-waste recyclers offer data destruction services that meet DoD and NIST 800-88 standards.
3. Choose Between Drop-Off or Scheduled Pickup
Once you’ve selected a recycler:
- Drop-off: Bring the fax machine to the facility, ensuring it’s intact and securely packaged. Most recyclers accept small office electronics at a small cost.
- Pickup: Larger e-waste recyclers offer scheduled pickups for businesses and bulk electronics.
Ask whether they offer free pickups for working electronics or charge a fee for older, bulky devices.
4. Ensure Responsible Recycling
Only recycle fax machines through certified facilities — look for R2 or e-Stewards certification.
These recyclers:
- Dismantle devices safely
- Recover metals and plastics for reuse
- Prevent illegal overseas dumping
- Handle toxic waste streams according to EPA standards
Avoid “cheap” recyclers with unclear methods — improper e-waste disposal can harm both the environment and your liability.
5. Consider Donating If the Fax Machine Still Works
If your fax machine is in working condition, donating it is a great way to extend its life and keep it out of the landfill. Many organizations still accept functioning office electronics for reuse or refurbishment.
You can donate to:
- Goodwill – Some locations accept office equipment; call ahead to confirm.
- The Salvation Army – Check local branches for electronics acceptance policies.
- Computers With Causes – Accepts donated electronics and redistributes to families and nonprofits.
- AFTRR (Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse) – Offers a map of refurbishers across the U.S.
- Local schools, churches, or community centers – These organizations may accept working devices for administrative use or training purposes.
✅ Pro Tip: Always clear the memory and reset the machine before donation — just as you would when recycling.
Can You Recycle Fax Machines for Cash?
Short answer: Yes—but it depends. You can occasionally get cash for fax machines if they’re usable and sold to specialty buyers like Town Business Center or Midwest Copier Exchange. Standard retailers and recycling centers won’t pay you—they accept fax machines for free or for a small fee.
For one-off or consumer-level disposal, donation or certified recycling remains the more realistic path.
Here’s what to know:
Retail and Municipal Programs Don’t Pay for Fax Machines
Large retailers like Best Buy and Office Depot offer electronics recycling programs but do not provide compensation for fax machines. Similarly, most municipal e-waste programs focus on safe disposal, not resale or payment. These programs are designed to prevent environmental harm, not recover value for consumers.
Specialized Equipment Buyers May Pay
Certain businesses that buy used office hardware—including fax machines and copiers—may offer cash if the equipment can be refurbished or remarketed:
- Town Business Center (Maryland/DC) buys used copiers, printers, scanners, and fax machines for cash and even offers transportation or pickup for larger quantities.
- Midwest Copier Exchange buys used office equipment and remarkets it, which can include fax machines.
These outlets typically cater to office liquidation, corporate sell-offs, or resellers rather than individuals with a single fax machine.
Bulk Scrap Buyers May Accept for Component Value
Some electronic scrap companies and IT asset recovery firms pay for large quantities of office electronics based on the value of recoverable materials — such as copper wiring, circuit boards, or steel.
While not fax machine-specific, services like:
- PADNOS processes e-waste, including IT equipment, and may share in the value from refining precious materials—but this usually applies to large quantities rather than single devices.
- Waste Management (WM) offers resale programs for electronics that have recoverable value. Their asset recycling services may offer money back when items are resold.
On forums like Reddit, users note that while resale value exists, getting paid for old printers or fax machines is uncommon unless you find a direct buyer, such as through asset liquidation firms or local businesses.
What Happens to Recycled Fax Machines?
Recycled fax machines go through a secure dismantling and separation process where plastic, metal, and electronic components are recovered for reuse or safe disposal. These materials are either refined into raw resources or used in manufacturing new electronics.
Step-by-Step: What Happens After You Recycle a Fax Machine
Dismantling
First, the fax machine is manually or mechanically disassembled. Recyclers remove hazardous components like toner cartridges, capacitors, and lithium or lead-based parts for safe handling.
Shredding
The remaining machine is shredded into small pieces. This step breaks down the fax unit into mixed material chunks that are easier to sort.
Material Separation
Advanced separation systems (like eddy current separators and optical sorters) isolate the various materials:
- Metals (aluminum, copper, steel) are separated using magnetic or induction-based methods
- Plastics are sorted by type (e.g., ABS, polycarbonate)
- Printed circuit boards are extracted for specialized processing
Recovery and Reuse
Each stream is sent to specialized recyclers:
- Metals are refined and reused in electronics, vehicles, and construction
- Plastics can be molded into new consumer products
- Circuit boards are stripped of precious metals like gold, silver, and palladium
What Materials Are Recovered from a Fax Machine?
- Copper (wiring and coils)
- Steel (housing and internal frames)
- Aluminum (heat sinks and supports)
- ABS and polycarbonate plastics (exterior casing)
- Silicon and gold (circuit boards)
- Toner/ink remnants (disposed of as hazardous waste)
Why It Matters
Proper fax machine recycling reduces landfill waste, recovers valuable raw materials, and keeps heavy metals and toxic components from polluting soil and water. It also supports a growing circular economy by feeding recovered materials back into the supply chain.
What to Do With an Old Fax Machine? Recycle It the Right Way
Whether it’s sitting in a back closet or collecting dust in the office, your old fax machine doesn’t belong in the trash. These outdated devices are classified as electronic waste (e-waste) and may contain hazardous components, making fax machine recycling the safest and most eco-friendly option.
From finding a certified e-waste recycler near you to clearing stored data for HIPAA-compliant disposal, this guide has shown you how to recycle fax machines step by step. You’ve also learned what happens to a recycled fax machine, which materials are recovered, and whether there’s any cash value left in your device.
And if your fax machine still works? Donation is a great alternative — extending the product’s life and reducing environmental impact.
🟢 Final tip: Use the Green Directory to find the best local recycling centers, drop-off points, or electronics pickup services near you.
