Many households have an overstuffed drawer filled with extra cables, batteries, and accessories. As technology shifts toward USB-C, traditional USB-A cables are becoming less necessary. However, if you notice frays, tears, or overheating, it is vital to recycle them rather than throwing them in the garbage. When electronics are sent to landfills, plastics and rubber can release harmful substances, whereas recycling allows materials like copper and aluminum to be returned to production.

Recycling is easy across the U.S. Major retailers like Best Buy and Staples offer convenient recycling programs. At Best Buy, you can use a mail-in service with a prepaid UPS shipping label or visit a service desk. At Staples, you can take items to the checkout counter, though there is a limit of 7 items per day.

Before discarding everything, consider what to keep. It is wise to hold onto a few backup cables for legacy devices, such as mini USB or micro USB. Additionally, high-quality cables from brands like Apple may be worth selling or donating to organizations like Goodwill to support the circular economy.