Computer Recycling in Stanford
Stanford businesses and residents, your old computers and electronics deserve better than landfills. GreenCitizen recycles laptops, desktops, and anything plugged in or battery-powered. Schedule a hassle-free business pickup or visit our convenient local drop-off. Let’s make sustainability simple—start recycling responsibly today!
We are open from Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM.
(Closed on Major Holidays)
70,966
Business Customers
Served
411,338
Individual Customers
Served
Where to Find Us?
GreenCitizen, Inc.
1831 Old Bayshore Hwy Suite 2, Burlingame, CA 94010
- +16504938700 Extension 103
- info@greencitizen.com
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
(Closed on Major Holidays)
Closed on Holidays: New Year, President’s Day, Memorial Holiday, Independence day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the day after Christmas.
Leading the Way: Stanford’s Zero Waste Goals and Achievements
Stanford is more than a hub for education and innovation—it’s a vibrant leader in sustainability and electronic waste management. With a thriving community of approximately 16,000 residents and globally recognized institutions, Stanford proudly champions eco-conscious living, setting ambitious sustainability goals that ripple far beyond city limits.
Stanford’s climate strategy goes far beyond recycling bins. The university has been named a Climate Registered™ Hero by The Climate Registry three years in a row, recognizing its leadership in measuring and reducing carbon emissions. Projects like Electrical Reliability Improvements (ERI), part of Stanford’s updated Climate Action Plan, are paving the way for campus-wide electrification to support net-zero carbon goals. Meanwhile, Stanford Energy Systems Innovations (SESI) is optimizing how the campus consumes and conserves energy through state-of-the-art infrastructure.
At the heart of Stanford’s vision is the comprehensive Zero Waste by 2030 initiative, boldly targeting a landfill diversion rate of 90%. Already, pioneering pilot programs like those at Y2E2 building have achieved an impressive 89% diversion rate—proof that Stanford’s ambitious goals are within reach.
Stanford’s commitment goes even further by directly addressing electronic waste. The university’s Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) oversees comprehensive e-waste recycling across campus, offering designated collection points for items like keyboards, mice, and phones. At the same time, the Property Management Office (PMO) manages the disposal of larger electronics, such as desktop computers and laptops. These devices are either responsibly resold or securely recycled.
This helps Stanford businesses and residents comply with California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act, which prohibits improper disposal of electronics.
Community involvement amplifies these institutional efforts. Initiatives like Give & Go, have diverted over 600 tons of usable goods from landfills, showcasing the power of collective action. Likewise, programs like Cardinal Clean promote sustainable habits among residents and businesses alike.
Stanford’s dedication to sustainability isn’t just aspirational—it’s actionable, proven, and driven by everyday choices made by residents and businesses committed to shaping a greener future.
GreenCitizen: Stanford’s Trusted Partner in Computer Recycling Since 2005
Stanford is known for forward-thinking—and that includes how it handles electronics recycling. Since 2005, GreenCitizen has supported the community with reliable, responsible computer recycling. We’ve helped over 70,000 Bay Area businesses and 400,000 residents keep more than 32 million pounds of e-waste out of landfills.
Our history in the Stanford area goes back decades. GreenCitizen previously operated recycling centers at 3180 Park Blvd, Palo Alto, 94306 (behind the old Fry’s Electronics), 161 Homer Ave in downtown Palo Alto, 4500 El Camino Real in Los Altos, and 2500 W El Camino Real, Suite D, in Mountain View.
Today, we serve Stanford from our Burlingame EcoCenter at 1831 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 2, Burlingame, CA 94010—just up Highway 101.
Bring in your laptops, desktops, or any device with a battery or plug. We make it easy to recycle the right way.
For local businesses, we offer pickup services throughout Stanford and the greater South Bay. Our GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System (GTAMS) tracks every item from pickup to certified recycling. You also get secure, irrecoverable data destruction—built to meet strict privacy needs.
Best of all, we offer free recycling for qualified laptops and desktop computers. If you’re in Stanford and care about where your e-waste ends up, we’re here to help.
Drop off your electronics or schedule a pickup today.
Acceptable & Non-Acceptable Items for Electronics Recycling
Accepted
Laptops
Desktops
Servers
Monitors/ TVs
Networking Equipment
Tablets/ Smartphones
Computer Components (Hard Drives, Circuit Boards, Keyboards, etc.)
Office Electronics (Printers, Fax Machines, Paper Shredders, etc.)
Kitchen Appliances (Toasters, Blenders, Microwaves, etc.)
Stereo Equipment (DVD Players, VCRs, Receivers, etc.)
Styrofoam (#6 Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) ONLY)
Console Video Games (Xbox, PS3, Wii, etc.)
UPS Batteries
CD/DVDs
Cables/Cords
Toner/ Ink Cartridges
Not Accepted
Bottles/ Cans
Furniture
Polyurethane
Large Appliances (Stoves, Washers, Dryers)
Non-Rechargeable Batteries (Alkaline, Carbon Zinc, Disposable Batteries)
Light Bulbs (Incandescent and Fluorescent Bulbs)
Items containing liquid mercury (Thermometers and Thermostats)
Smoke Detectors
Styrofoam #4 Low-Density Polyethylene foam (LDPE/PELD)
Hazardous Waste (Paint, Motor Oil, Sharps, Bio Hazardous Waste)
Medical Electronics (Bodily contact devices such as Glucose Sensors)
Electronics Recycling Pickup for Stanford Labs, Offices, and Innovation Teams
Stanford is where ideas scale, and sustainability matters. Whether you’re managing a campus lab, a research department, or a growing tech office, responsible electronics recycling is part of the bigger mission. GreenCitizen helps Stanford professionals recycle computers, laptops, and IT devices without disrupting your workflow or compromising data integrity.
Built for Academic and Research Environments
Recycling shouldn’t slow you down. From retiring faculty desktops to cycling out lab tech, devices pile up quickly. GreenCitizen offers free pickup for eligible laptops and desktops—no complicated logistics, just a quick request form. We handle the transport, tracking, and recycling so your team can focus on what matters: research, innovation, and results.
Worry-Free Data Disposal, Compliant and Secure
When sensitive research or institutional data is involved, security can’t be an afterthought. Our data destruction process meets NIST and DoD standards, ensuring every hard drive or storage device is thoroughly wiped before it’s recycled. That means no loose ends, no data trails—just full peace of mind.
Transparent Tracking from Start to Finish
Through our exclusive GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System (GTAMS), each major item receives a unique ID and is tracked from pickup to certified recycling. Whether you’re preparing for internal audits or external compliance reviews, you’ll know exactly where your devices went—and that they were recycled properly.
Recycled Locally, Processed Responsibly
We only work with R2 and e-Stewards certified recyclers—all based in the United States. Our goal isn’t just recycling—it’s ethical, traceable dismantling that supports American green jobs and prevents overseas dumping, even when it costs more to do it right.
Aligned with Stanford’s Sustainability Goals
Stanford leads in environmental responsibility, with goals for zero waste and climate action. We help departments and campus-based businesses meet institutional sustainability standards, comply with local regulations, and push forward toward a low-waste future.
From old monitors to legacy tech, we’ll take care of the e-waste. Schedule your electronics pickup today and support sustainable research and innovation at Stanford.
Thanks for the hard work. We really appreciate Green citizen and their help with our disposals.
Thanks so much! You and everyone at GreenCitizen are a pleasure to work with.
Thank you for this information Angelina! I’ve used GC myself and greatly appreciate its mission and services.
Electronics Drop-Off for Stanford Residents and Campus Community
At Stanford, smart solutions go hand in hand with sustainability. Whether you’re clearing out old lab equipment, replacing personal tech, or simply tidying up your dorm setup, responsible electronics recycling is just a short trip away. GreenCitizen makes it easy to drop off laptops, desktops, and any device with a plug or battery—backed by certified data protection and local environmental accountability.
No Scheduling Required—We’re Nearby and Ready
Skip the booking. Our Burlingame EcoCenter is just up the 101 from Stanford. Stop by when it fits your schedule—we’re open during regular business hours and ready to accept your old electronics safely and responsibly.
Getting Here from Stanford
From Stanford University, head east on Embarcadero Road toward US-101 North. Merge onto US-101 North and continue for about 15 miles. Take the Millbrae exit, then follow signs toward Old Bayshore Highway. Turn right onto Old Bayshore, then right again at Cowan. Make a quick left into the first driveway—look for us behind the building marked 1831 Old Bayshore Hwy. (We’re across the street from the New England Lobster Market and Eatery—easy landmark.)
We Safeguard Your Data—and the Environment
Every device you drop off is securely wiped using certified data destruction methods that meet NIST and DoD standards. Your information stays protected, no matter the condition of the hardware.
What happens after? Your devices are processed right here in the U.S.—never exported, never dumped. We work only with R2 and e-Stewards certified recyclers, keeping harmful waste out of landfills while supporting responsible recycling and green jobs.
Join the Stanford community in choosing smarter, safer ways to recycle electronics. Visit GreenCitizen today and give your old tech a new, responsible purpose.
For drop-off recycling, these are the items that are FREE to recycle and can be dropped off at the GreenCitizen Recycling Center/Eco Center in Burlingame.
Note: All Macbook EFi, Device Enrollment Program, and Remote Management Locks Must Be Removed
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Servers
- Tablets
- Monitors
- Network switches
- UPS batteries
- TVs
And here are the items that cost $1.00/pound to recycle.
- Cables/cords
- CD players and Walkmans
- Christmas lights
- DLP Projector TVs
- Fax machines
- Remote controls
- Heaters
- Ink/Toner
- Keyboards
- Microwaves
- Printers
- Miscellaneous electronics
- Scanners
- Stereo equipment
- VCRs
- DVD players
- Speakers
- Vacuum cleaners
- Fans
- Toasters
- Blenders
- Coffee makers
And here are the items that cost $6.00/pound to recycle.
- CDs
- Cassette tape
- Vinyl recycling
- DVDs
- Floppy disks
- VHS
- 35mm slides
- DLT/LTO
- Film negatives
Green citizen has the best customer service/drop off on the peninsula. I would highly recommend using their service. I am a consultant to the tech industry in my small to medium business often has older computers or computer monitors to be recycled. They take the hassle out of green recycling.
The staff at Green Citizen were incredibly informative, helpful and courteous.The process of dropping off computers and hard drives for destruction was so quick and simple. They have an efficient set up. I highly recommend them and I will definitely be going back to them when I have additional items to recycle. It’s an impressive organization.
I’ve been to GreenCitizen a few times now to drop off old electronics and cables. They’ve been wonderful every time. You simply pull up in your car, someone will come out to help process your drop off. Every time has been less than 10 minutes and very pleasant customer service. Safe, quick, efficient, no hassle. Wonderful.