E-Readers See Alternatives Illegal in Garbage & Drains Recycle with E-Waste Dispose of E-readers as e-waste at the Resource Recovery Facility at no charge. Never Throw in the Trash Most e-readers contain hazardous chemicals that can leach into the environment, so don’t throw them in the trash. Remove Personal Info Before donating or recycling an e-reader, remove all sensitive and personal information from the device. Barnes & Noble has instructions on how to clear your Nook of personal data. Alternative Ways to Recycle Best Buy's Electronics and Appliances Recycling Program Best Buy will recycle e-readers and many other home electronics for free. Their trade-in program accepts e-readers. Find a store. HP Hardware Recycling HP accepts tablets and electronics hardware from various manufacturers for free mail-in recycling, cash back or trade-ins. Get a quote for your hardware or a mail-in voucher here. Staples' Take Back Program Staples offers free, in-store recycling for unwanted electronics, including cell phones, desktop computers, tablets, monitors and other electronics. Locate your nearest Staples.