Goodwill and CompuCycle launch local electronics recycling partnership

Goodwill Greater Houston and Houston-based recycler CompuCycle announced a partnership on Jan. 13 that expands options for electronics recycling across the region and funnels proceeds to local job training programs. Participating Goodwill donation centers will accept laptops, desktops, tablets, monitors, small printers and other household electronics. Items found fit for resale will support Goodwill’s employment and community services, while non-resale material will be processed locally at CompuCycle’s certified facility.

The arrangement keeps repair, sorting and advanced recycling close to home. CompuCycle operates a 130,000-square-foot Houston facility certified to industry standards including R2 and e-Stewards, and handles processing, sorting and e-plastics work in-house. For Harris County residents, that means donated or recycled devices are less likely to be shipped overseas or handled by uncertified processors, and more likely to generate local economic value.

From a public health perspective, properly managed electronics recycling reduces the risk that heavy metals and other hazardous components enter soil and water. Improper disposal of electronics can release lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants over time, posing risks to children and residents in neighborhoods already burdened by industrial pollution. By directing non-resale items to a certified facility, the partnership lowers the chance of toxic exposure tied to informal or unregulated e-waste handling.

The program also ties environmental action to workforce development. Devices that can be refurbished and resold provide revenue to fund Goodwill’s training and placement services, reinforcing a circular economy approach that benefits low-income residents who often face the greatest barriers to employment. Locally based processing preserves jobs in the recycling and refurbishment chain rather than exporting that work, an important equity consideration for communities across Greater Houston.

For neighborhoods in Harris County that shoulder disproportionate environmental burdens, the partnership offers a practical way to reduce household waste and support community programs. Residents can bring eligible electronics to participating Goodwill donation centers rather than discarding them in curbside trash or leaving them in municipal drop-off queues that may lack specialized processing.

This collaboration between a major local nonprofit and a certified recycler is a step toward safer e-waste management and more equitable economic returns. In the months ahead, Harris County residents should expect more convenient drop-off options and clearer paths for keeping electronics out of landfills while supporting local job training and recycling jobs.