Desktop Computer Recycling In The Bay Area
Most comprehensive, secure, compliant recycling for PC Towers, iMacs, Servers, and Office Workstations.
Recycling desktops is harder than recycling laptops. They are heavy, bulky, and come with a mess of peripherals. GreenCitizen provides the Bay Area’s most comprehensive solution for desktop computer recycling.
Whether you’re retiring 200 OptiPlex towers or clearing one storage room after an upgrade, we provide a controlled pickup workflow, GTAMS (GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System) item tracking, and data services that match your risk level.
Located near SFO in Burlingame, we serve the San Francisco Bay Area.
73,922
Business Customers
Served
413,558
Individual Customers
Served
What Desktop And Workstation We Accept for Recycling
To save you time (and avoid sorting), we accept the complete set—tower, display, and accessories—so you can recycle everything in one go.
We accept any model/manufacturer of desktops and all-in-ones, including but not limited to:
- Standard Towers: Dell OptiPlex, HP EliteDesk, Lenovo ThinkCentre.
- Professional Workstations: Dell Precision, Mac Pro, HP Z Series, Rack-mounted servers.
- All-In-Ones (AIO): iMacs, HP TouchSmart, Microsoft Surface Studio.
- Peripherals: Keyboards, mice, docking stations, power cables, and surge protectors.
- Displays: LCD and LED Monitors.
Note: The brand and model names above are only examples. We accept all desktop and all-in-one brands/models for recycling, including systems not specifically listed here.
Business Desktop Recycling: Bulk Logistics & Asset Recovery
For IT Directors and Office Managers, disposing of desktop fleets requires a chain of custody. GreenCitizen supports bulk desktop recycling with controlled handling, GTAMS-based accountability, and data services that match your chosen security level.
Typical Flow For Business Desktop Recycling Pickup
1) Confirm Scope And Pickup Plan
Share what you’re clearing with a quantified list and photos (desktop towers, heavy workstations, all-in-ones, monitors, peripherals) and what services you need (recycling, data wiping, physical destruction, reporting). This helps us plan a pickup that fits the size and mix of equipment.
2) Bulk Collection With Controlled Handling
We pick up from your Bay Area location and handle desktops and related workstation equipment using a consistent intake process designed for bulky hardware and mixed loads.
Note: We offer same-day emergency pickup service. Please check the “Immediate pickup (within 24 hours)” when scheduling your pickup.
3) Accountability Through GTAMS Inventory Control
Received items are recorded in GTAMS to ensure accountability and chain of custody.
4) Data Security Based On Your Requested Method
Desktop drives are often removable, so data services can be applied at the drive level when requested. Services are performed based on the service level selected and the condition of the drive/device:
- Data Erasure: Software-based wiping, following the same methods specified on NIST guidelines
- Physical Destruction: Drive removal and physical destruction for higher assurance needs.
- Product Destruction: For items where the drive cannot be removed, and data sanitization is not acceptable.
5) Reporting And Documentation For Records
You can receive inventory reporting and, when included in your service package, documentation such as certificates and related records for compliance and auditing.
Note: We offer a Certificate of Destruction for an additional fee of $5/unit.
Residential Drop-Off: How To Recycle Your Old PC
Residents can recycle desktop computers and peripherals directly at our Burlingame EcoCenter. No appointment is needed, but if you pre-fill out the Drop-off form, your drop-off process will be much quicker.
Bring your desktop setup as-is (computer, connected accessories, and cables).
- Location: GreenCitizen EcoCenter, 1831 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 2, Burlingame, CA 94010.
- Driving Directions: To reach our EcoCenter drop-off location, take the Millbrae exit and turn onto Old Bayshore Highway. Our address is 1831 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 2, Burlingame, CA 94010. For access to the drive-through/loading area behind the building, turn in from Cowan Road.
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (hours may vary on holidays—please confirm before visiting)
Hard Drive Note: You do not need to remove the hard drive before drop-off. If you want GreenCitizen to handle your data, request data services at intake (for example, data erasure and/or physical drive destruction, as applicable).
Mail-In Desktop Computer Recycling (For Outside The Bay Area)
For customers outside the San Francisco Bay Area, we offer a nationwide mail-in recycling program for electronics. Visit our Mail-In Recycling page for current eligibility, instructions, and pricing details.
Desktop Computer Recycling Pricing & Data Service Fees
| Item/Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Recycling | FREE | All desktops are free to recycle |
| Hard Drive Shredding | $20.00 / drive | Physical destruction |
| Data Erasure (Wipe) | $5.00 / drive | Secure wiping service following the methods specified by NIST |
| Certificate of Destruction | $5.00 / unit | Added compliance documentation |
| Peripherals | $1.00/lb | Includes, but is not limited to, keyboards, mice, cables, speakers, and printers. Please contact us to confirm which items you can recycle. |
Service Area: Bay Area Business Pickup (35-Mile Radius From Burlingame)
GreenCitizen provides business electronics recycling pickup across the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco, the Peninsula, Silicon Valley / South Bay, the East Bay, and parts of the North Bay.
Common service areas include, but are not limited to:
- San Francisco,
- South San Francisco,
- Burlingame,
- San Mateo,
- Redwood City,
- Palo Alto,
- Menlo Park,
- Mountain View,
- Sunnyvale,
- Santa Clara,
- San Jose,
- Oakland,
- Fremont.
Looking for your city? See our Cities We Serve page for a broader list of areas we support.
Note: For large orders outside our 35-mile service area, please contact us to see if we can arrange a custom pickup.
FAQ
Yes. Recycling the desktop computer tower itself is free for both businesses and residents. Fees only apply if you require data destruction services (physical destruction/data wiping) or if you are recycling peripherals alongside the computers.
Yes. Customers dropping off desktop computers or all-in-one computers must complete the drop-off form before arrival. This helps us prepare for intake and process your drop-off more efficiently.
Yes. We can remove hard drives from the desktop chassis and physically destroy them.
No, it is not required. We can wipe all the data drives for you.
Yes, we can provide a Certificate of Destruction (COD). This service costs $5.00 per unit.
Yes. We accept legacy hardware (beige towers, 486 PCs) and custom gaming rigs without serial numbers. We process these for precious metal recovery or component reuse.
Yes, we accept broken All-in-One (AIO) computers.
Yes. We can currently accept only Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) UPS, but not lithium ones.
Yes. We accept the full workstation "ecosystem." While the computer tower is free, peripheral items like keyboards, mice, and speakers are recycled at a rate of $1.00/lb.
No appointment is necessary for residential drop-offs. You can bring your desktop to the Burlingame EcoCenter Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm. Although prefilling out the drop-off form will help to speed up the drop-off process.
We don’t charge a recycling fee for monitors covered under California Senate Bill 20 (SB 20), as long as the monitor was purchased in California.
You don't have to, but we accept any cables or cords for recycling (costs $1/lb.).
Yes. We pick up desktop towers from offices, including multi-floor buildings. Please have items staged at a ground level/loading dock or elevator-accessible area. When requesting pickup, include counts and device types so we can confirm vehicle space and handling requirements.
Yes. We accept gaming PCs for recycling, and you can drop them off at our Burlingame EcoCenter or include them in a qualifying business pickup.