A keyboard that still works can be sold, donated, or given away. A broken one may belong with electronics recycling, depending on your local program.
Test it, gather its cable or wireless receiver, check for batteries, and describe its condition honestly before choosing a route.
Test the Keyboard Before Giving It Away
Before connecting or charging it, check for heat, swelling, leakage, a cracked battery compartment, or a damaged cable. Do not power it if you find any.
Keep it unplugged and contact the manufacturer or local electronics program for instructions. Do not open the case or pry out a damaged battery.
Connect it to a compatible device and test the keys, cable, wireless connection, lights, and charging port. Only claim the features you checked.
Clean it as the manufacturer directs. Include the receiver, cable, wrist rest, keycaps, or other parts the next user needs.
Copyable Keyboard Listing
Keyboard: Connection: wired / Bluetooth / wireless receiver Tested on: Working keys and features: Missing or damaged parts: Battery type and condition: Included cable, receiver, or accessories: Pickup or delivery:
Choose Reuse When It Works
Offer a working keyboard through a local reuse group, charity, school, repair shop, or marketplace that accepts computer accessories.
Ask before dropping it off. Organizations may reject untested equipment, incomplete wireless sets, damaged cables, or devices they cannot support.
Remove name labels, asset tags, and saved macros or onboard profiles if your model stores them. Follow the manufacturer’s reset instructions.
Use Electronics Recycling When It Is Broken
Search your local solid-waste website for electronics or computer peripherals. Keep keyboards out of curbside recycling unless the program specifically lists them.
EPA recognizes R2 and e-Stewards as the two accredited certification standards for electronics recyclers. Its page links to household collection options.
Call the location. Ask whether it accepts keyboards, whether fees apply, and whether batteries or cables must be separated.
Hawaii and Miami-Dade programs explicitly include keyboards, but their rules apply only within those programs.
Check for Batteries
Some wireless keyboards use replaceable alkaline, lithium, or rechargeable batteries. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before opening a battery compartment.
If the battery comes out without dismantling the keyboard, manage it by chemistry. Keep lithium batteries out of household trash and curbside recycling.
Do not pry out a swollen, hot, leaking, or embedded battery. Contact the manufacturer or local battery and electronics program for instructions.
Keep the Keyboard Intact for Recycling
A keyboard combines plastics, metals, circuit boards, membranes, and sometimes batteries. Do not break it apart to place pieces in ordinary recycling.
Keep business keyboards within your organization’s data, asset, and electronics-disposal procedures. Household programs may not accept commercial equipment.