Recycling Electronics at Staples: How the eCycle Drop-Off Program Works

Does Staples recycle electronics? Yes. Staples Canada runs a free in-store electronics recycling program, and eCycle Solutions is the certified recycler that processes what gets collected. If you have an old laptop, phone, or printer to clear out, a participating Staples store is one of the most convenient drop-off points in the country. Here is what the program accepts, whether it costs anything, how to drop off, and where your devices actually end up.

Does Staples Recycle Electronics for Free?

Yes. Recycling qualifying office electronics at Staples is free. Devices that no longer have trade-in value because of their age or condition can be recycled at no charge in participating Staples Canada stores. You do not need to make a purchase, and you do not have to be a Staples customer to use it.

The reason it is free comes down to how electronics recycling is funded in Canada. Provincial stewardship programs cover the cost of responsibly recycling common devices, which is why so many drop-off points, including retail partners, can accept your items at no charge. Our overview of the provincial stewardship programs eCycle works with explains how that funding system works.

What Electronics Does Staples Accept?

The Staples program is built for the everyday electronics most households and small offices need to clear out. Commonly accepted items include:

• Laptops and desktop computers, plus internal computer parts
• Tablets and smartphones
• Keyboards, mice, cables, and other peripherals
• Printers, scanners, and small office devices
• Ink and toner cartridges
• Household batteries

The electronics themselves are handled through Staples’ recycling partnership with eCycle, while batteries and ink or toner cartridges are usually collected through separate in-store programs. Either way, you can bring them to the same store.

Larger items, like big-screen televisions or bulky appliances, are usually not accepted in storesstore. Because participating locations and accepted items can vary by store, it is worth checking before you go. The fastest way is the eCycle public drop-off site finder, which lists Staples and other locations along with what each one takes.

How to Drop Off Electronics at Staples

Dropping off is quick and does not require an appointment. Here is the process:

1. Confirm your store participates. Use the drop-off site finder or call ahead, since not every location accepts every item.
2. Prep your devices. Back up anything you want to keep, then erase your personal data (more on that below). Remove loose batteries where you can, and tape the terminals of any loose lithium batteries so they don’t short.
3. Box or bag your items. Grouping smaller electronics together makes the trip easier, and there is generally no limit on how much you can bring in a single visit.
4. Bring them in during regular store hours. Take your items to the customer service desk or the designated recycling bin. You do not need a receipt or proof of purchase.

Protect Your Data Before You Drop Off

The program recycles your device responsibly, but clearing your personal information first is still your job. Back up anything you want to keep, then erase the device. For phones and laptops, a factory reset is the minimum, and you should sign out of your accounts first so features like activation lock do not create problems down the line. Our step-by-step guide on how to erase your data before recycling walks through each device type.

If you are clearing business equipment that holdsheld sensitive or regulated data, a retail drop-off is not the right route. Certified data destruction and IT asset disposition gives you documented, auditable proof that each drive was wiped or physically destroyed.

What Happens to Electronics Dropped Off at Staples?

This is where the eCycle partnership matters. Dropping a device in a bin is only the first step. What happens next is what separates genuine recycling from simply moving old electronics out of sight.

Items collected through the Staples program are sent to eCycle and processed at one of our five certified Canadian facilities. There, devices are catalogued and sorted, then either refurbished for resale or sent to our shred line, where materials like copper, gold, aluminum, and plastic are recovered for reuse. Hazardous components are removed and handled safely. Because eCycle holds R2v3 and ISO certifications, the recycling process meets strict environmental standards, with 100% landfill diversion.

Want to see the full journey? Our explainer on what happens to your electronics after they are recycled follows a device from drop-off to recovered material.

What If Staples Cannot Take Your Item?

Some things fall outside the in-store program, like large televisions, major appliances, or a full office cleanout. You still have responsible options:

• For volume or bulky items, eCycle offers electronics pickup services that collect right from your home or business.
• To drop off directly, you can bring items to any of our five processing facilities across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.
• To see everything we handle, start with consumer electronics recycling and choose the service that fits your situation.

Whether you are an individual clearing out a closet or a business managing a technology refresh, there is a route that keeps your old electronics out of the landfill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Staples recycle electronics for free?

Yes. Staples Canada recycles qualifying office electronics for free at participating stores, with no purchase required. The program covers devices that no longer have trade-in value, and eCycle Solutions processes the electronics at certified facilities.

What does Staples accept for recycling?

Staples generally accepts laptops, desktops, tablets, phones, computer peripherals, printers, scanners, ink and toner cartridges, and household batteries. Large televisions and bulky appliances usually are not accepted in store, so check the drop-off finder or call ahead for your location.

Do I need a receipt to recycle at Staples?

No. You do not need a receipt, proof of purchase, or a Staples account. Bring your items to the customer service desk or recycling bin during regular store hours.

Is there a fee to recycle at Staples?

For qualifying electronics, there is no fee, because the cost of recycling common devices is covered by provincial stewardship programs. Items outside the program, or very large items, may need a different drop-off site or a paid pickup.

What happens to electronics dropped off at Staples?

They are processed by eCycle Solutions at one of five certified facilities. Working devices may be refurbished and resold, while the rest are shredded so materials can be recovered rather than landfilled. Hazardous components are removed and handled safely.

Can businesses recycle larger volumes through eCycle?

Yes. Beyond the in-store retail program, eCycle offers pickup services and certified data destruction for businesses managing larger volumes or sensitive data. Request a quote or call 888.945.2611 to set up a collection.

Recycle at Staples, or Straight Through eCycle

Businesses and households across Canada rely on eCycle for responsible, certified recycling. The Staples program is a convenient way to recycle everyday electronics, and eCycle makes sure they are processed to certified standards. To find a Staples or other drop-off location near you, use the public drop-off site finder. For larger volumes, a home or office pickup, or business data destruction, request a quote or call 888.945.2611.

Tricia Oldfield is VP Sales & Marketing at eCycle Solutions, Canada’s certified e-waste recycler and ITAD provider. R2v3 certified. Request a quote.