Where to Recycle Electronics in Amsterdam (Plus Rotterdam, The Hague & Utrecht)

Decluttering Old Tech

Moving from Canada to the Netherlands forced me to face a universal truth: nothing reveals clutter faster than weighing it. 

So I gathered my abandoned phones, mystery cables, and long-forgotten Kindles — the whole “tech graveyard” — and dealt with it once and for all.

No international move required: chances are you have a tech drawer of your own. Here’s how, and where, to disard it securely.

Why Get Rid of Old Devices?

Let’s be honest: old phones and laptops are among the most common kinds of clutter — not the easiest. They hide in drawers, whisper “just in case,” and somehow feel too valuable (or too complicated) to deal with.

That’s exactly why finally letting them go is such a high-value win. It builds confidence for the rest of your decluttering — you’re not just tidying, you’re tackling digital baggage and physical clutter at once.

Responsible disposal & data security — In the Netherlands, electronic waste must be collected separately from regular trash, and large stores are legally required to accept your old device when you buy a similar new one. So there’s really only one way out the door for this stuff — and it’s not via the garbage bin. Once you hand it in, it’s handled properly and that chapter is closed for good.

Sustainability — Donating, trading-in, or recycling keeps valuable materials in circulation and supports the circular economy.

Step 1. Gather old laptops, tablets, phones and accessories together (KonMari-Style)

Bring together all the devices you’re no longer using— e.g. ones you no longer use, don’t plan to use, or can’t power on/access.

That includes:

• • Desktop computers
  • Laptops / notebooks
  • Tablets and smartphones
  • Monitors, docking stations, external drives
  • Accessories — chargers, cables, keyboards, headphones
  • Small electronics — routers, smart watches, game consoles

 If it’s been sitting untouched for a year, is obsolete, a complete mystery or has long since been replaced — it’s time to deal with it.

Step 2. Decide What to Do — Sell, Trade-In, Donate or Recycle

With everything gathered, you can make clear decisions. Instead of vague questions, here’s a quick decision helper:

 Step 3. Transfer What Matters

Before doing anything permanent, save what you need — contacts, documents, photos. Take the opportunity to organize the transferred files so that you can easily find your old files on your new device.
Back up to iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, or an external drive. Then confirm your new device opens and syncs everything correctly before you wipe the old one.

And remember: if transferring data or performing a factory reset feels daunting, some receiving organisations (like Cyberbank Amsterdam, Apple Stores,etc.) can handle that securely for you — often for free or as part of their intake service.

Step 4. Wipe Your Data Properly

This step is about being careful, not being tech-savvy. “Deleting” files isn’t enough — they can still be recovered.
A factory reset or data wipe ensures your personal information is truly gone.

Modern devices (Apple, Android, Windows) all have built-in “erase all content and settings” options.

Before you wipe:

• • Back up and verify the backupSign out of accounts (Apple ID, Google, Microsoft)
  • Remove SIM or SD cards
  • Use the manufacturer’s official guide if unsure

Android: Factory reset and remove your Google Account

Windows: Before you recycle, sell, or gift your Xbox or Windows PC

If you prefer to let the receiver handle wiping or destruction, check their policy — most listed here will do it securely.

Tech in a bathtub is for laughs – in real life, use a dry cloth!

Step 6: Take that old tech where it belongs. Big hint – not your attic!

NL-Wide / Online Options

Tip: For phones, small accessories,  or batteries, use a nearby Wecycle point, find via National locator for Wecycle Waste Collection points. 

Both Coolblue and MediaMarkt make it easy to hand in old electronics for responsible recycling — no purchase required.

Coolblue accepts phones, tablets, laptops, and other small devices for free recycling, whether you drop them off in-store, send them in via PostNL, or give them to a delivery driver when receiving another order.
Coolblue How To

MediaMarkt offers a similar service: you can bring your old device to any store for free recycling or, if you prefer, use their inruilservice to receive shop credit toward a future purchase.
MediaMarkt – How To

To Donate or Recycle old laptops and comptuers

Did you know?  In the Netherlands – large electronics stores (>400 m²) must accept small e-waste for free, even if you don’t buy something new.

Laptop Opvang (Laptop Shelter Foundation) (national, ships) — refurbishes donated laptops and passes them on for a small fee to students, care orgs, and charities. Give an old laptop a new life

Project Edu-PC (national, focus on kids 4–12) — facilitates educational laptops for children from low-income families; see how to help here

To Donate Mobile Phones or Tablets

 
• KNGF Geleidehonden — donate old smartphones/tablets (and cartridges); find/drop-off options and request a collection box. geleidehond.nl
 
• CliniClowns — old mobiles/tablets support their programs; you can request a free collection box (useful for schools/offices). CliniClowns
 
• SOS Dolfijn — donates value from used mobiles (and toners/cartridges) to marine mammal rescue  for donation; you can send them by post or drop at the collection point in Anna Paulowna. SOS Dolfin
 
• Eeko (collection partner behind many charity phone drives) — overview of their charity collaborations and how collections work (useful if you’re organizing a drive). Eeko ccc B.V.

Options by City

Amsterdam

Cyberbank (Timorplein 22) – donate laptops for secure data-wiping and redistribution to low-income residents.

Recycling centres (Amsterdam Afvalpunten): Free for residents with ID + proof of address. They accept computers, printers, and electrical appliances. Addresses & hours (examples):
• Rozenburglaan 1 (Oost) — Mon–Sat 08:00–17:00
• Henk Sneevlietweg 22 (Nieuw-West) — Mon–Sat 08:00–17:00; Sun 10:00–16:00
• Toetsenbordweg 41 (Noord) — Mon–Sat 08:00–17:00; Sun 10:00–16:00
• Seineweg 1 (Nieuw-West), Meerkerkdreef 31 (Zuidoost), plus others and map.

The Hague/Den Haag

Municipal appliance drop-off – bring old electronics to waste depots or shops when buying new DenHaag Gemeente.

Leiden

Leidse Laptoppers  — local initiative giving youth in Leiden a second-life laptop. How to Donate to Leidse Laptoppers.

Rotterdam

Milieu Parken (Recycling Centres) & De HER (repair/reuse hub): Opening hours and exact conditions vary slightly by site — always good to check.

 
• Charlois – Aploniastraat 12 (Mon–Sat 09:00–17:00)
 
• Prins Alexander – Nikkelstraat 131 (Mon–Sat 09:00–17:00)
 
• IJsselmonde – Hekendorpstraat 55 (Tue–Sat 09:00–17:00)
 
• Hoek van Holland (Tue, Thur and Sat 09:00–17:00)
 
• Rozenburg – Frans Halsstraat 2 (Tue, Thur and Sat 09:00–17:00)
 
• The HER Recycling Center – Bovendijk 191 (Tue–Sat 09:00–17:00, Sun 09:00–13:00)
 

Bring ID; residents only. Rotterdam Gemeente

Utrecht Region

Tussenvoorziening (Interim Facility) – accepts computers and phones, refurbishes and gives them to clients who need digital access. How to donate to Tussenvoorziening

Quick prep checklist

1.  Back up & sign out of accounts (iCloud/Google/Microsoft), remove SIM/SD cards.
2. Data wiping: Many of the recipients above wipe devices on intake, but you may be more comfortable doing it yourself – factory-reset first (but donation partners will still sanitize drives). See each org’s policy on their page — e.g., Cyberbank notes certified data deletion.
3. Include chargers & accessories where possible — they increase chances your device can be reused (several orgs list “complete with charger” as preferred).

Is your old tech just the tip of the decluttering iceberg? I can help! Book a free consultation today!

I’m Sheila, your opruimcoach/professional organizer. Each month I’ll drop fresh organizing inspiration, smart tips, and a nudge to let go of what doesn’t serve you. Sign up now and get organizing inspiration without adding to your clutter pile!