Old electronics should never go in the bin. If your device still works, give it away to someone nearby — it takes minutes and keeps perfectly good tech out of the waste stream. If it is broken, Spain has a well-developed network of recycling points, retailer take-back schemes, and municipal collection services that handle e-waste safely and legally. The right path depends on the condition of your device.
What to do with a working old phone, laptop, or tablet
A device that still turns on has real value to someone. Rather than letting it gather dust or selling it for a few euros, posting it for free on Givore connects you with a neighbor who can use it today. Givore is a community giving app active across Spain — you post the item, someone nearby requests it, and it is gone the same day with no payment, no shipping, and no hassle.
If you prefer a structured donation route, organizations focused on digital inclusion — such as Cruz Roja Responde, Asociación Komons, and various municipal social services — collect working devices and refurbish them for people who cannot afford new hardware. Schools and libraries also occasionally accept older tablets and laptops.
Before you give anything away: wipe your data. Do a factory reset on phones (Settings → General → Reset), reinstall the OS on laptops, and remove any SIM cards or SD cards. This protects your personal information and makes the device ready for its next owner.
Where to recycle small electronics in Spain
For devices that no longer work, Spain has two main drop-off networks for small WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment):
| Network | What it accepts | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Ecopilas | Batteries, small electronics, bulbs | Carrefour, Alcampo, El Corte Inglés, many pharmacies |
| SIGRE | Electrical and electronic devices | Mercadona, DIA, Lidl, Aldi entrances |
Both are free to use and located near the entrance of most large supermarkets. Use the locator at ecopilas.es to find the nearest point.
How to get rid of large appliances — TVs, washing machines, fridges
Large items cannot go in a supermarket bin. Spain offers two legal routes:
- Retailer take-back: Under the EU WEEE Directive, any retailer selling appliances must take back an equivalent old device when you buy a new one — at no charge. Shops over 400 m² must also accept small electronics (under 25 cm) without requiring a purchase.
- Punto limpio (clean point): Every Spanish municipality runs at least one clean point for bulky waste and WEEE. Most offer scheduled home collection for large items — check your city council website or call the local environmental services line.
Donating electronics to schools and nonprofits for digital inclusion
Working but outdated devices — a five-year-old laptop, a first-generation tablet — may not interest individual takers but are valuable for digital-inclusion programs. Vocational schools (centros de FP) and local makerspaces often accept older hardware for repair training. Nonprofits like Fundación Entreculturas and local Cáritas branches periodically run device collection drives. Check their websites or call ahead before dropping anything off.
What to do with broken electronics that cannot be repaired
Broken beyond use? The punto limpio is the right destination. If the item is small, a supermarket WEEE bin works just as well. Some hackerspaces and FabLabs will take broken electronics for parts and experimentation — worth a quick message to your nearest one before recycling.
For a broader look at responsible disposal across all types of items, see our guide on apps for recycling and giving away stuff, and for step-by-step device donation advice, read our donate electronics guide.
Have a working phone, laptop, or gadget taking up space? Download Givore and post it for free — someone in your neighborhood can collect it today.