ABC13's Earth Day E-Cycle Drive at CompuCycle sees viewers show up strong for event's 19th year
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- What was a great way to celebrate Earth Month, offload out-of-date or unwanted electronics, and help a local business ring in its 30th anniversary?
How about joining ABC13 and CompuCycle for the 19th annual ABC13 Earth Day E-Cycle Drive? The annual event focuses on helping our communities safely recycle electronics.
All day Friday, viewers stopped by to drop off old or unwanted electronics -- and they didn't have to get out of their cars.
Instead, the CompuCycle team unloaded it all, whether it was in the back seat, a trunk, or truck bed.
Each year, the amount of electronic waste dropped off for recycling has grown, with the drive hitting 100,000 pounds or more multiple times over the years.
In fact, ABC13's Earth Day E-Cycle Drive holds the Guinness World Record for the largest single-day e-waste collection, set in 2014 when we collected 128,699 lbs. of electronics.
But records were meant to be broken!
We're awaiting final numbers, but no matter the amount, we are saying a huge thank YOU!
The highly-anticipated event is one that many return to year after year.
If you missed stopping by in 2026, bring by your old tech in 2027.
Until then, read more about how it works below.
How much is it?
Free! You can drop off, and all will be handled at no cost to you. No appointment necessary.
Is there anything I should prepare?
Yes! Before you drop off electronics, back up any important data and perform a factory reset on devices that store personal information. Remove any accessories like cables and chargers.
What can I drop off?
Old computers and phones are just the tip of the iceberg. CompuCycle accepts various items from fax machines and Wi-Fi extenders to e-readers, MP3 players, streaming devices, and charging cables.
Read on to see the full list.
Computers & Mobile Devices: Desktops, laptops, tablets, all-in-one computers, cellphones, smartphones, pagers
Home Office Equipment: Routers, modems, Wi-Fi extenders, network switches, printers, fax machines, scanners
Personal Electronics: E-Readers, MP3 players, smartwatches, GPS devices, fitness trackers, portable DVD players, portable hard drives & USB flash drives
Entertainment & Gaming: TVs (LCD, LED, Plasma), DVD/Blu-ray players, streaming devices (Roku, AppleTV, etc.), gaming consoles, handheld game systems
Audio & Video Equipment: Speakers, sound systems, home theater systems, digital cameras, camcorders
Power Systems: HDMI cables, ethernet cables, composite cables (red, white, & yellow), all charging cables, power cords & adapters
What items are not accepted?
While CompuCycle accepts a lot, there are some items they can't take on for the safety of their employees and the environment.
In general, the company can't accept items that pose a fire, explosion, or pollution risk.
Specifically, the below would be a no-go:
Household Appliances: Fans, refrigerators, stoves, washer/dryers, microwaves, vacuum cleaners
Hazardous Materials: Paint, light bulbs, oil waste, mercury devices, medical/biohazard waste
Specialized Equipment: Smoke alarms, solar panels, dehumidifiers, air conditioners
If you have questions, reach out to CompuCycle.
Is there a limit to what I can drop off?
You can bring up to five items.
So whether you have one device or several, you can drop them off during the drive.
What happens to my electronics after I drop them off?
Once collected, CompuCycle sorts your old electronics, hard drives are wiped clean for your safety, and all materials are then processed for use in new consumer products.
Goods are also recycled in compliance with their e-Stewards certification, according to CompuCycle's website, adding that they will guarantee secure data destruction on all devices with storage capabilities to protect your personal information.
Why does safely recycling electronics matter?
Diverting hundreds of thousands of pounds of e-waste from Houston landfills promotes a healthier city, preventing the release of toxins in our air, soil and water.
Typically, the impact and response during the drive are great.
In 2024, ABC13 viewers recycled the equivalent of 382 refrigerators worth of electronic waste.
- 240.92 lbs. of toxic metals diverted
- Reduction of 45.37 metric tons of greenhouse gas
- Saved 383.72 gallons of oil
- Like removing nearly 10 cars from the road
- 293.60 cubic yards of landfill space saved
- 3,736,637.20 hours of electricity saved
What if I can't make it?
CompuCycle accepts drop-offs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Business deliveries can be scheduled by calling (713) 869-6700.
Only residential drop-offs are allowed during the drive.
