What To Do With Old Cordless Drills? (Find Out Now!)
Cordless drills are one of the most widely-used power tools in the world. You use them for everything in construction. Got a cabinet to assemble? Cordless drills can help. Need to install a new bunch of TVs? Drill. Need to clean your toilet? Drill brush. They’re great. But, what happens when they go kaput? Where and how do you dispose of old cordless drills?
Old cordless drills can be dropped off at any appliance and electronics recycling center near you. Cordless drills that are still in working order may be resold, though you have to mention they’re sold “AS-IS.” It’s best not to throw out cordless drills, as it may cause damage to the environment.
There are a lot of questions that have to be answered if you want to make sure that you do the right thing with power tools. Our guide will give you answers to questions you didn’t even realize you had.
What Can You Do With Old Cordless Drills?
Cordless drills are one of the many items that fit squarely into the category of electronics. This means that your options are fairly limited. Let’s take a look at each one.
1. Recycle Your Drill
If your drill is very old or broken, then your best option is to recycle your drill. Like most other power tools, drills can be recycled if brought to the right center. Here’s how you can go about doing this the smart way:
- Start by removing the drill bits, if you haven’t already. Place the drill bits in a box or holder. If you want to keep them, then you can. Most of the time, you can use them in multiple types of drills. If you do not want to keep them, then you can actually recycle them with your regular cans or send them to a scrapyard. (Surprising, right?)
- Then, search up the closest electronics recycling center to you. A good tip to know is that Best Buy actually has an appliance and electronics recycling drop-off at every store. If you cannot find a venue that is specifically labeled as an electronics-friendly recycling center, looking up the nearest Best Buy will make things happen.
- Drop off the drill at the closest recycling center to you. Once it’s dropped off, you’re good to go. You’re done.
2. Donate Your Drill
Habitat for Humanity is happy to have drills that are gently used and cordless. If you have a large collection of them, they may also give you a nice tax write-off. Don’t have a local Habitat ReStore location near you? Not a problem. Goodwill is another major venue for people who want to donate tools…or really, anything.
It’s important to remember that your drill MUST BE USABLE and cannot have major tears in its electronic cords. If it is not good enough to use safely, it’s not good enough to donate!
3. Sell It
Much like with most other items on the market, you can sell used power tools if you know where to go. This includes cordless drills. Most of the time, you are not going to get a premium price on it. You also may need to label your drill as “AS-IS” or “For Parts” to reduce liability on your end.
There are several places that tend to work well with used cordless drill sales. People who want to do in-person sales might be able to get it done through Craigslist or a local yard sale. Online, your best bet is to use Letgo or eBay. They offer a wider platform to advertise your wares and also may have people looking for a quick discount.
It’s important to realize that there really isn’t that big a market for used cordless drills. People get leery of them, especially since they may already be towards the tail end of their lifespan. If you choose to go this route, it’s often best to offer them a deep discount.
Are You Allowed To Throw Away Old Cordless Drills?
Drills are not one of those things that you should throw away, simply because it can be damaging to the environment. In some communities, you actually can get a fine if you are caught throwing away electronics, too. While this is a less common phenomenon, it’s important to keep in mind that it can happen to you.
If you are really dead-set on tossing your drill in the trash, it’s best to give your local municipal office a call to ask what the rules are about this. When (or if) the office gives you the go-ahead, you can usually plop the drill into a garbage bag with the rest of your stuff. It’s not the best thing to do, but if you’re really in a pinch, you can do it.
How Can You Tell If A Cordless Drill Is Donation-Worthy?
We all love the idea of people being happy to take our unwanted items, but there’s a certain point where donations start getting insulting. If you want to donate your drill, you have to ask yourself the following questions. If the answer is “NO” to any of them, you might want to stick to recycling:
- Is the drill in a safe condition to use? If you wouldn’t give the cordless drill any use on a project of your own, it probably is too rickety or weak to be of any use to a nonprofit. Look at the charging wiring (if applicable) as well as the actual appearance of the drill bit connector. Do they look like they are about to fall apart? Skip it.
- Would you give your old drill to a friend? We often have different standards for what friends get versus what gets donated. If you would be embarrassed to lend your drill to a friend, then you probably shouldn’t donate it to a nonprofit. They’ll be embarrassed for you.
- Would other people call it junk as a result of the brand? I know this sounds like the last two questions, but it’s slightly different. Most nonprofits don’t want a used cordless drill that costs $5. They would want the ones from Husky or from DeWalt. They have better resale value and also are more likely to get the job done.
- How much life is left in the drill? If your drill has been dying faster and faster, you’re wasting both the nonprofit’s time and your time. The need for longevity is real. That’s why we don’t suggest giving heavily-used drills to nonprofits.
Related Questions
Will a donation center fine you for giving them items they don’t want or can’t use?
Here’s the important thing to remember when you are trying to donate unused items: it’s always better to try. While most nonprofits don’t like getting stuff that is “junk,” they know that your heart was in the right place. As a result, they are not going to fine you for giving them items that they can’t use. That would be punishing the wrong people, don’t you think?
How long should you expect a cordless drill to remain usable?
The lifespan of a typical electronic cordless drill is not very long, primarily because of the motor’s tendency to burn out with use. You should bank on using a typical cordless drill for around five years. However, the drill batteries are going to be a different issue. They last for around three years on average. If you can’t replace them, your drill is dead.
How can you find a list of e-waste recycling centers near you?
Best Buy aside, most states will have a website that is dedicated to helping residents recycle used goods. This typically includes a roster of e-waste recycling facilities near them. You can usually find information on your state’s recycling site. Some counties will also have a separate roster, such as Somerset County in New Jersey.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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