Goodwill Houston and CompuCycle Partner to Bring Responsible Electronics Recycling to the Community
In an effort to tackle the growing challenge of electronic waste while creating positive community impact, Goodwill Houston has partnered with CompuCycle, a certified Houston-based electronics recycler, to launch an easy, responsible electronics recycling initiative for the Greater Houston area.
Through this collaboration, residents can now drop off old laptops, desktops, monitors, tablets, small printers, and other household electronics at select Goodwill Houston donation centers. Items that still function will be resold to support Goodwill’s nonprofit mission—funding job training, career development, and educational programs for individuals facing barriers to employment. Electronics that can’t be resold are sent to CompuCycle’s state-of-the-art Houston facility, where they are responsibly recycled under rigorous environmental and data security standards.
"This partnership represents the best of what local collaboration can achieve," said Kelly Adels Hess, CEO of CompuCycle. "Together with Goodwill, we're creating a simple pathway for Houstonians to make a positive impact—whether that's funding job training programs or ensuring their old electronics are processed responsibly right here in Houston."
A Growing E-Waste Problem with Local Solutions
While the United States was historically the world's leading producer of electronic waste, it now ranks second globally behind China, generating roughly 7 million metric tons of e-waste annually. Despite this shift in total volume, the U.S. continues to lead in per capita waste, with the average American discarding approximately 47 pounds of electronics each year.
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According to the EPA and international monitoring groups, only about 15% to 22% of this waste is formally recycled. The remainder often ends up in domestic landfills—where electronics account for an estimated 70% of heavy metal contamination—or is exported to developing nations with fewer environmental protections. This improper disposal releases a "toxic cocktail" of substances, including lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can leach into soil and water systems, posing severe long-term risks to both ecosystems and human health.
By providing a local, accessible solution, Goodwill and CompuCycle are helping to reduce this dangerous trend while also keeping valuable materials in circulation. CompuCycle—founded in Houston in 1996 and recognized as the first woman-owned, dual-certified electronics recycler in the region—is the only recycler in the country with a dedicated line for processing e-plastics into reusable, single-polymer materials. The company is certified under both R2 and e-Stewards standards, ensuring that all recycling is done safely, securely, and sustainably.
Economic Impact Meets Environmental Responsibility
“Goodwill Houston is committed to creating opportunities that strengthen our community while protecting the environment,” said Adel Karam, Chief Operating Officer of Goodwill Houston. “Partnering with CompuCycle allows us to responsibly recycle electronics, keeping millions of pounds of harmful materials out of landfills. Together, we're driving environmental responsibility and economic opportunity for our community.”
Goodwill Industries, founded over 120 years ago, is one of the largest nonprofit providers of workforce development services in the country. In Greater Houston alone, Goodwill serves tens of thousands of individuals each year by offering free job readiness programs, GED classes, career training, and employment placement services.
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Now, with this new electronics recycling initiative, Goodwill is adding environmental stewardship to its community-focused mission. The proceeds from resold electronics will continue to fund these programs, while unusable items will be recycled locally and securely, helping Houston build a more sustainable future.
How to Participate
Houston-area residents can now visit participating Goodwill donation centers to drop off accepted household electronics. Devices are screened on-site for resale potential. Anything that cannot be resold is transported directly to CompuCycle's 130,000-square-foot Houston facility for certified processing and recycling.
To find a list of accepted items and drop-off locations, visit compucycle.com/goodwill-houston-e-waste-recycling.
By choosing to donate or recycle electronics through this local partnership, Houstonians are not only helping reduce harmful e-waste—they’re also supporting job training, education, and economic opportunity in their own backyard.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
