Old device disposal and recycling

Bring back your old tech: recycling of electronic products

There's more to your outdated tech than you might think – valuable resources that can be recovered and reused through recycling. This helps prevent unnecessary extraction of new raw materials. However, electronic devices also contain harmful substances that must not be released into the environment. That’s why these products don’t belong in your household waste – you can recognise them by the symbol of a crossed-out trash can on your devices. In fact, it’s legally required to dispose of old electronics at official collection points, such as local recycling centres.

Close-up of a tablet with a charging cable and a crossed-out trash bin, indicating do not dispose in household waste (WEEE).

This is how you decommission your technology properly

We are legally obligated to take back your old devices – whether you purchased them from us or not. The available return options depend, for example, on the size of the device. But one thing is certain: we handle the proper treatment, recovery, and disposal in accordance with legal requirements.

Before handing over your old device, remember: once it’s disposed of, there’s no turning back. Retrieval is not possible – and aside from our trade-in service, no reimbursement is offered. Therefore, be sure to back up all important data and delete any personal or sensitive information beforehand.

Woman reaching into an open refrigerator in a bright kitchen.

Return large appliances via a freight carrier (after your purchase with us)

Anything that weighs more than 31.5 kg, has a girth of at least 3.60 m, or is longer than 2.00 m will be delivered to your home by a freight carrier. The carrier will collect your old appliance at the time of delivery if you choose the free old appliance collection service when you make your purchase.

To ensure everything runs smoothly, you must disassemble and prepare your old appliance for transport in advance. This means disconnecting it from the power and water supplies, completely draining washing machines (and don’t forget to clear the lint filter), and defrosting fridges and freezers in time. If you’ve booked our installation and assembly service, we’ll also take care of removing your old appliance.

White Beko washing machine in a tidy laundry room with wooden cabinets, folded towels, and a green plant by the window.

Terugname van kleine toestellen via pakketdiensten (na je aankoop bij ons)

Even if your new product isn’t delivered by freight, you can still have a similar old device collected free of charge according to legal requirements. After your purchase, simply generate a prepaid label through our disposal partner, and your old device will be picked up right from your home.

Before you arrange for your old device to be collected, first check whether it qualifies for pickup. You can easily see if your device is eligible in our online shop—there’s a note under the selected product regarding the possibility of old device collection. By law, the following product categories are always eligible for return:

Heat exchangers, e.g., refrigerators (Category 1)

Display devices with a screen area over 100 cm² (Category 2)

Devices with a side length of more than 50 cm (Category 4)

Person in a yellow and black patterned shirt works on a laptop with a 3D floor plan in an industrial space.

Lightbulbs and small devices with a side length of up to 50 cm (i.e. the legally defined categories 3, 5, and 6) unfortunately cannot be picked up. But don’t worry—you can still dispose of them free of charge by taking them to a MediaMarkt store or dropping them off at another official collection point near you.

After your purchase, you can conveniently generate a prepaid label through our disposal partner—and your old device will be collected from your home. You have ten days from the invoice date to generate the label, and you can schedule the pickup flexibly according to your needs.

Before your old device is sent off, make sure it is properly packaged. How? Just follow these packaging instructions. If you don’t have a suitable package at the moment, you can schedule the pickup for later and use the shipping package from your new device. Important: You are responsible for ensuring safe packaging. If improper packaging causes damage or if you send something that isn’t eligible for old device return, you may be held liable.

Large TV on a black sideboard displays two horses. Modern living room with coffee tables, floor lamp, and plant.

Return of small devices at collection points without prior purchase

Didn't buy your new device from us? You can still dispose of small devices with a side length of up to 25 cm free of charge in household quantities. Simply bring them to your nearest MediaMarkt store – we'll take care of the rest. No store nearby? No problem! You can also drop off your old device for free at another official collection point in your area. Find out where the nearest one is here.

Frequently asked questions

What happens to the collected waste?
We exclusively hand over the collected waste to certified disposal companies. There, recycling processes convert the waste into new raw materials where possible, which are then reintroduced into the economic cycle.
What counts as electronic waste?
Electronic waste includes all electrical and electronic devices that no longer function or are no longer needed. This covers items like smartphones, laptops, household appliances, TVs, and LED lamps.
Why must electronic waste be disposed of separately?
Electronic waste contains valuable raw materials like copper, silver, and rare earth elements, but also harmful substances such as mercury and lead Proper collection and treatment help recover valuable materials and ensure hazardous substances are handled safely.
Where can I drop off my old electronic devices?
You can drop off your old electronic devices free of charge at municipal collection points, recycling centers, or many stores that feature a dedicated electronics retail area.
Which valuable raw materials are found in electronic waste?
Electronic devices contain metals such as gold, silver, copper, aluminium, and rare earth elements that can be recycled and reused in new products.
Can I just throw electronic devices in the household waste?
No, electronic devices do not belong in your household waste. They must be recycled properly to recover valuable raw materials and avoid environmental harm.
Which batteries need to be recycled?
All batteries – from household batteries to accumulators and car batteries – need to be recycled because they contain hazardous substances as well as valuable raw materials like lithium or nickel.
Can batteries be thrown in the household waste?
No, batteries do not belong in household waste; they must be disposed of at designated collection points.
How and where can I dispose of batteries properly?
Batteries can be disposed of free of charge at collection boxes in retail stores, recycling centres, or designated collection points.
Why is it important to dispose of batteries properly?
Batteries contain hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, or mercury that can harm both the environment and health. At the same time, they contain valuable materials that can be recycled.