Donation Pick Up Service Near Me

Where to Donate Electronics in Toronto

Places That Accept Electronics Donations in Toronto

Toronto has several options for donating working electronics, from scheduled pickup to technology reuse programs, mobile phone collection programs and thrift-store donation centres.

The best option depends on what type of electronics you have, whether the device still works, whether it contains personal information and whether you want pickup or prefer to drop it off yourself.

If the electronics are broken or no longer suitable for reuse, Toronto also has dedicated e-waste recycling options through Best Buy and the City of Toronto.

Toronto Electronics Donation & Recycling Options

#1 DonateYourStuff.ca

DonateYourStuff.ca provides free scheduled donation pickup for qualifying working electronics throughout Toronto.

Donation method: Free scheduled pickup.

Accepts: Qualifying flat-screen TVs up to 70 inches, desktop computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, e-readers, mobile phones, keyboards, mice, DVD and Blu-ray players, stereos, radios, speakers and related electronics and accessories.

Locations and hours:

  • Toronto: Pickup is available throughout Toronto rather than through a public drop-off location. Pickup dates and arrival windows are arranged for qualifying requests.

Important details: Electronics must turn on and perform their main functions. Screens should be usable, batteries must be safe and devices should include the chargers, cords, remotes, stands or other important parts required to use them.

Computers, phones, tablets, e-readers and other devices containing personal information should be cleared of files, passwords, saved payment information, connected accounts and device locks before donation.

Pickup is intended for donations that reasonably justify sending a vehicle. One cable, computer mouse, charger or mobile phone will usually not qualify on its own. Several devices, a complete computer or entertainment setup, or electronics combined with other accepted donations are more likely to qualify.

Submit your location, approximate number of devices or boxes and a general description of what you have. Include the screen size of televisions and photos of larger electronics whenever possible. Your request is reviewed before pickup availability is confirmed by email.

Official Information:

Electronics Donation Pickup

Request a Donation Pickup

#2 Toronto Metropolitan University Free Store

Toronto Metropolitan University’s Free Store accepts reusable electronics and makes donated items available to students.

Donation method: Drop-off.

Accepts: Working electronics, small appliances, office supplies, home goods and other clean reusable items.

Location:

  • Victoria Building, 285 Victoria Street, 8th Floor, Toronto

Important details: Electronics should be clean, functional and suitable for continued use.

Small donations can be placed in the designated donation area. Larger or fragile items should be arranged with the Sustainability Office before drop-off.

Broken, damaged, dirty or oversized items are not suitable for the Free Store.

Official Information:

TMU Free Store

#3 Toronto Zoo PhoneApes

The Toronto Zoo’s PhoneApes program provides a specialized option for unwanted mobile phones.

Donation method: Drop-off.

Accepts: Cell phones and mobile devices collected through the PhoneApes conservation program.

Toronto drop-off locations include:

  • Toronto Zoo
  • Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
  • East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Avenue
  • Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall
  • Metro Hall, 55 John Street
  • North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street
  • Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive

Important details: Remove personal information and disconnect cellular service before donating a phone.

The permanent PhoneApes program is focused on mobile phones rather than general electronics such as televisions, computers and stereos.

Official Information:

Toronto Zoo PhoneApes

#4 The Salvation Army Thrift Store

Salvation Army Donor Welcome Centres provide a broad Toronto drop-off option for reusable household electronics.

Donation method: Drop-off at Donor Welcome Centres.

Accepts: Reusable electronics that meet the Salvation Army’s current household donation requirements.

Toronto locations include:

  • 665 St. Clair Avenue West
  • 1219 Bloor Street West
  • 1447 Queen Street West
  • 3711 Keele Street
  • 20 Leslie Street, Unit 101
  • 60 Overlea Boulevard
  • 2291 Kipling Avenue
  • 1921 Eglinton Avenue East, Unit 7
  • 1225 Kennedy Road, Unit D1

Important details: Electronics should still be suitable for reuse rather than being dropped off as electronic waste.

Donation hours vary by location, so check the current Toronto Donor Welcome Centre information before going.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store does not provide residential donation pickup.

Official Information:

Salvation Army Toronto Donations

Salvation Army Accepted Donations

#5 Best Buy Canada – Electronics Recycling

Best Buy provides an electronics recycling option for devices that are broken, outdated or otherwise no longer suitable for donation.

Donation method: In-store electronics recycling.

Accepts for recycling: Many common electronic products, including:

  • Cell phones
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptops and portable computers
  • Computer peripherals
  • Cords and cables
  • Printers and scanners
  • TVs and monitors up to 55 inches
  • External storage drives
  • Modems
  • Home audio and video equipment
  • Gaming systems and accessories
  • Electronic musical instruments
  • Small and large battery-powered toys
  • Undamaged batteries under five pounds

Toronto locations:

Electronics recycling is available at participating big-box Best Buy stores. Toronto locations offering the service include:

  • Best Buy Bay & Dundas, 65 Dundas Street West
  • Best Buy Leaside, 147 Laird Drive

Important details: Best Buy does not accept every type or condition of electronic waste.

Current exclusions include:

  • TVs and monitors over 55 inches
  • CRT and rear-projection TVs
  • Leaking electronics
  • Broken glass or sharp edges
  • Contaminated electronics
  • Damaged or swollen batteries

Battery and electronics recycling is available at most big-box Best Buy stores, but not at Best Buy Express, Best Buy Mobile or kiosk locations.

Check that Battery and Electronics Recycling appears under the services for your chosen store before going.

Remove personal information from computers, phones and other devices before recycling them.

Official Information:

Best Buy Battery and Electronics Recycling

Best Buy Toronto Locations

#6 City of Toronto – Electronics Recycling

The City of Toronto provides free electronic waste collection and drop-off for electronics that are no longer suitable for donation or continued use.

Donation method: Electronics recycling through curbside collection, Drop-Off Depots and Community Environment Days.

Accepts for e-waste recycling: The City’s electronics program accepts many common electronic products such as:

  • Televisions
  • Computer monitors
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptops
  • Cell phones
  • Telephones
  • Printers
  • Scanners
  • Fax machines
  • Stereos
  • Speakers
  • DVD players
  • VCRs
  • Cameras
  • Other qualifying electronic equipment

Toronto recycling options:

Residents of houses can place qualifying electronics separately beside their garbage bin on garbage collection day.

Residents of multi-residential buildings should use the building’s designated electronics or oversized-item collection area.

Electronics can also be taken to City Drop-Off Depots that accept e-waste, including:

  • Commissioners Transfer Station, 400 Commissioners Street
  • Disco Road Transfer Station, 120 Disco Road
  • Scarborough Transfer Station, 1 Transfer Place
  • Victoria Park Transfer Station, 3350 Victoria Park Avenue

Community Environment Days also accept qualifying electronic waste at scheduled events throughout Toronto.

Important details: Electronic waste should not be placed inside the Blue Bin or regular garbage.

The City collects e-waste separately so the electronics can be safely processed and recycled.

Remove personal information from computers, phones and other data-containing devices before collection or drop-off.

The City also instructs residents to remove batteries from devices before setting electronics out for collection or bringing them to a Drop-Off Depot or Community Environment Day.

Official Information:

City of Toronto Electronic Waste

City of Toronto Drop-Off Depots

Community Environment Days

How to Choose Where to Donate Electronics

The first decision is simple: can the device still be reused, or has it become electronic waste?

Donate Working Electronics

Donation makes sense when an electronic device still works properly and remains useful.

Test the device before donating it.

A computer that starts normally, a television with a clear picture or a stereo that still produces good sound may be suitable for reuse.

Recycle Broken Electronics

If an electronic device no longer works or has become unsuitable for reuse, use an electronics recycling program instead.

Best Buy and the City of Toronto provide recycling options for many common electronics.

Do not put a broken device into a donation stream simply to get rid of it.

Check for Personal Data

Computers, phones, tablets, e-readers, gaming systems and smart devices may contain:

  • Photos
  • Documents
  • Passwords
  • Saved credit cards
  • Email accounts
  • Cloud accounts
  • Browsing information
  • Personal messages

Erase that information before donating or recycling the device.

What Condition Should Donated Electronics Be In?

Reusable electronics should still perform the main job they were designed to do.

Devices Should Turn On

Connect the device to power and make sure it starts normally.

For rechargeable electronics, test the charging port and charger.

A weak older battery may still allow a device to function, but swollen, leaking or severely damaged batteries are unsafe.

Screens Should Be Usable

Check televisions, monitors, laptops, tablets, phones and e-readers for:

  • Major cracks
  • Large black areas
  • Severe lines
  • Flickering
  • Heavy discolouration
  • Touchscreen failure

Minor scratches are different from display damage that prevents normal use.

Controls Should Work

Test important:

  • Buttons
  • Keyboards
  • Mice
  • Touchscreens
  • Disc trays
  • Volume controls
  • Controllers
  • Remote controls
  • Connection ports

A device that turns on but cannot actually be controlled may not be suitable for reuse.

Audio Equipment Should Work

Test stereos, radios, receivers and speakers.

Listen for severe distortion, failed channels or connections that repeatedly cut out.

Keep required speakers, wires and cables with the system.

Cords and Chargers Should Be Safe

Do not donate electronics with:

  • Frayed power cords
  • Exposed wiring
  • Melted adapters
  • Broken plugs
  • Unsafe chargers

Keep the correct charger or power cord with the device whenever possible.

Electronics Should Be Clean and Dry

Remove dust, food residue, sticky material, heavy pet hair and storage debris.

Electronics affected by significant liquid damage, mould, mildew or pest contamination should not be passed along for reuse.

How to Prepare Electronics for Donation

Back Up Anything You Want to Keep

Save important:

  • Photos
  • Documents
  • Videos
  • Contacts
  • Messages
  • Other personal files

Do this before resetting the device.

Sign Out of Accounts

Remove accounts connected to:

  • Apple
  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • Streaming services
  • Gaming platforms
  • Email
  • Social media
  • Cloud storage

Turn Off Device Tracking

Disable services such as:

  • Find My iPhone
  • Find My Device
  • Activation Lock
  • Other remote tracking features

An account-locked device can be difficult or impossible for another person to use.

Remove Personal Storage

Check for:

  • SIM cards
  • SD cards
  • microSD cards
  • USB drives
  • External storage
  • Discs left inside computers or media players

Factory Reset Connected Devices

Factory reset phones, tablets, computers, gaming systems and other connected electronics when appropriate.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific device.

Match Accessories to the Correct Device

Keep:

  • Chargers
  • Power cords
  • Remotes
  • Stands
  • Controllers
  • Docking stations
  • Connection cables
  • Wireless receivers

with the electronics they belong to.

Put smaller accessories into labelled bags rather than mixing everything together.

Protect Screens

Wrap TVs, monitors, laptops and tablets so the screens cannot be scratched or struck during transportation.

Keep larger screens upright whenever practical.

Use Strong Boxes

Pack smaller electronics in clean, dry boxes or storage bins.

Do not overpack a container until it becomes unsafe to lift.

Keep electronics protected from rain, snow and moisture before donation.

For complete packing and pickup staging information, review How to Prepare Your Donations.

Toronto Electronics Donation Questions

Can I donate an old router or modem?

Sometimes.

A router or modem may still be reusable if it works properly and does not belong to an internet provider.

Factory reset it and remove saved network information before donating it.

If the equipment belongs to your internet company, return it instead.

Can I donate a printer with ink or toner still inside?

Sometimes, depending on the receiving organization.

Check for leaking cartridges, damaged components or other problems before donating the printer.

Follow the manufacturer’s transportation instructions so toner or ink does not leak during handling.

Can I donate smart cameras or video doorbells?

Possibly.

Remove the device from your online account, disable any subscription connection and perform a factory reset.

Keep required mounts, power supplies and hardware with the device.

Can I donate loose hard drives?

Some reuse programs accept computer components, but personal data should be your first concern.

Securely erase the drive before donating it.

If you cannot confidently remove sensitive information, use an electronics recycling or secure data-destruction service instead.

Can obsolete electronics still be donated if they work?

Sometimes.

Older does not automatically mean unusable.

Vintage stereos, receivers, turntables, cassette decks, DVD players, radios and other electronics may still have practical or collectible use.

The receiving organization ultimately decides whether the device is useful enough to accept.

Can I donate loose remotes, chargers and cables?

Sometimes, but they are more useful when they can be identified and matched to a device.

Label unusual chargers, adapters and remotes whenever possible.

A large box of unidentified cables can be difficult for an organization to sort and reuse.

Have Electronics Ready to Donate in Toronto?

Toronto Donation Guides

Looking for information about donating a specific type of item in Toronto? Explore our Toronto donation guides for pickup options, local drop-off locations, donation requirements and practical information about where to donate different items.

Book Your Pickup:

Toronto Donation Pickup

General Toronto Donation Guide

Clothing & Accessories

Books & Media

Kids & Family

Electronics & Gaming

Household & Practical Items

Other Items

Donation Pickup Available Throughout Toronto

DonateYourStuff.ca electronics donation pickup is available throughout Toronto for qualifying working electronics, including downtown Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, York and neighbourhoods across the east and west ends of the city.

A–D

Agincourt North, Agincourt South-Malvern West, Alderwood, Annex, Avondale, Banbury-Don Mills, Bathurst Manor, Bay-Cloverhill, Bayview Village, Bayview Woods-Steeles, Bedford Park-Nortown, Beechborough-Greenbrook, Bendale South, Bendale-Glen Andrew, Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Black Creek, Blake-Jones, Briar Hill-Belgravia, Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills, Broadview North, Brookhaven-Amesbury, Cabbagetown-South St. James Town, Caledonia-Fairbank, Casa Loma, Centennial Scarborough, Church-Wellesley, Clairlea-Birchmount, Clanton Park, Cliffcrest, Corso Italia-Davenport, Danforth, Danforth-East York, Don Valley Village, Dorset Park, Dovercourt Village, Downsview, Downtown Yonge East and Dufferin Grove.

E–H

East End Danforth, East L’Amoreaux, East Willowdale, Edenbridge-Humber Valley, Eglinton East, Elms-Old Rexdale, Englemount-Lawrence, Eringate-Centennial-West Deane, Etobicoke City Centre, Etobicoke West Mall, Fenside-Parkwoods, Flemingdon Park, Forest Hill North, Forest Hill South, Fort York-Liberty Village, Glenfield-Jane Heights, Golfdale-Cedarbrae-Woburn, Greenwood-Coxwell, Guildwood, Harbourfront-CityPlace, Henry Farm, High Park North, High Park-Swansea, Highland Creek, Hillcrest Village, Humber Bay Shores, Humber Heights-Westmount, Humber Summit, Humbermede and Humewood-Cedarvale.

I–L

Ionview, Islington, Junction Area, Junction-Wallace Emerson, Keelesdale-Eglinton West, Kennedy Park, Kensington-Chinatown, Kingsview Village-The Westway, Kingsway South, L’Amoreaux West, Lambton Baby Point, Lansing-Westgate, Lawrence Park North, Lawrence Park South, Leaside-Bennington, Little Portugal and Long Branch.

M–P

Malvern East, Malvern West, Maple Leaf, Markland Wood, Milliken, Mimico-Queensway, Morningside, Morningside Heights, Moss Park, Mount Dennis, Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, Mount Pleasant East, New Toronto, Newtonbrook East, Newtonbrook West, North Riverdale, North St. James Town, North Toronto, O’Connor-Parkview, Oakdale-Beverley Heights, Oakridge, Oakwood Village, Old East York, Palmerston-Little Italy, Parkwoods-O’Connor Hills, Pelmo Park-Humberlea, Playter Estates-Danforth, Pleasant View and Princess-Rosethorn.

R–T

Regent Park, Rexdale-Kipling, Rockcliffe-Smythe, Roncesvalles, Rosedale-Moore Park, Runnymede-Bloor West Village, Rustic, Scarborough Village, South Eglinton-Davisville, South Parkdale, South Riverdale, St. Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands, St. Andrew-Windfields, Steeles, Stonegate-Queensway, Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan, Taylor-Massey, The Beaches, Thistletown-Beaumond Heights, Thorncliffe Park and Trinity-Bellwoods.

U–Y

University, Victoria Village, Wellington Place, West Hill, West Humber-Clairville, West Queen West, West Rouge, Westminster-Branson, Weston, Weston-Pelham Park, Wexford/Maryvale, Willowdale West, Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview, Woburn North, Woodbine Corridor, Woodbine-Lumsden, Wychwood, Yonge-Bay Corridor, Yonge-Doris, Yonge-Eglinton, Yonge-St. Clair, York University Heights and Yorkdale-Glen Park.