Every holiday season, our houses fill with upgraded gadgets and the promise that we’ll deal with the old stuff later. Meanwhile, the drawer of mystery cords multiplies, and some items just get tossed out. Most of us mean well, but those castoff electronics often end up somewhere they really shouldn’t. And with about 59% of U.S. adults interested in buying new tech this holiday season, that pile is only getting bigger.

The world is on track to generate 82 million metric tons of electronic waste by 2030, according to the United Nations. That includes everything from laptops and TVs to earbuds, chargers, and smart home devices—many of which end up in regular trash or curbside bins, where they can spark fires or end up buried in landfills.

And understandably, we have questions. What actually counts as e-waste? What’s the easiest way to get rid of it responsibly? And when it all feels too confusing, is ignoring it entirely a valid strategy (it isn’t)? To help break it down, we spoke with Michael Alvarez, general manager of the Republic Services Seattle Recycling Center, about what happens to electronics after the holidays and how to keep upgrades from adding to the mess.

When people upgrade electronics during the holidays, what’s the most common mistake they make with the old stuff?

One of the most common mistakes is throwing old devices into the regular trash or curbside recycling bin. Consumers may assume that electronics can be recycled like plastic or aluminum, but this is not the case. Many small electronics are powered by lithium batteries, which require special handling. Lithium batteries are a leading cause of fires in recycling and waste collection trucks and facilities.

What happens to electronics that end up in the regular trash?

They typically end up in landfills, and the valuable materials they contain are lost. Materials including gold, cobalt and copper can be recovered through proper recycling. These materials are finite and energy-intensive to mine, so failing to recycle them increases the demand for raw extraction, which has its own environmental consequences.

Which items do people most often forget count as e-waste?

Many people think only large electronics like TVs and computers qualify as e-waste, but smaller items can slip through the cracks. Commonly overlooked items include chargers, cables, earbuds, headphones, smart home devices, and even small kitchen appliances with electronic components. Any device with a circuit board or battery should be considered e-waste and handled through a proper recycling program.

For someone who wants the easiest option, what’s the simplest way to recycle old electronics responsibly?

King County operates a Take it Back Network, with several vendors offering drop-off locations. Information and a list of participating vendors is available on the county’s website.

Another simple option is a mail-back recycling program. These programs, such as Republic Services’ Pack-Back service, allow you to order a prepaid box, fill it with your old electronics, and ship it back for safe disposal. This eliminates the need to find a local drop-off site or attend a collection event. To see what materials are accepted in Republic Services’ mail-back program, see here.

How do mail-back programs work, and when do they make the most sense?

You order a prepaid box from the provider, pack your old electronics inside, and send it back using the included shipping label. These programs make the most sense for individuals who have smaller quantities of e-waste or who live in areas without easy access to local recycling events or drop-off centers. They’re ideal for people who want a hassle-free option that guarantees proper handling and recycling of their devices.

Are there items that should never go into an e-waste bin?

Items with leaking or damaged batteries should be kept out of e-waste bins to prevent contamination and safety hazards. Additionally, household hazardous waste like paint, chemicals or cleaning products should never be mixed with electronics recycling. Before recycling anything, always check your program’s accepted materials list.

When does donating electronics make sense, and when does it not?

You should donate electronics when the device still works or can be refurbished. Many nonprofits will accept small electronics like cell phones, including Cell Phones for Soldiers, which provides airtime to military personnel, or the 1Million Project, which helps low-income students access the internet.

Additionally, many Republic Services facilities hold e-waste collection events. Use your address to find local information or check Earth911 and Call2Recycle for nearby drop-off locations.

Donation does not make sense when the device is broken beyond repair. In those cases, recycling through a certified e-waste program is the safest and most responsible choice.

Republic Services operates recycling centers across the U.S., processing more than 5 million tons of material each year. The company runs 73 renewable energy projects nationwide, and about 20% of its fleet is powered by natural gas.