Here's what happens to your old computer parts you donate to Goodwill

The company has a pretty robust electronics refurbishment program.

The electronic gadgets we use every day are not made to last forever . These devices' limited lifespans are creating a crisis that is only escalating: according to the UN , global e-waste generation hit 32 billion kilograms in 2022, up a whopping 82 percent from 2010.

E-waste describes any discarded electronics with a battery or a plug. When it ends up in landfills, e-waste does not decompose — instead, it drains toxic materials into surrounding soil, which can contaminate local waterways and impact the environment and the health of people who live there.

There is no federal e-waste recycling framework in the United States, but nonprofit donation center chain Goodwill has more than made a dent in this crisis. The organization takes a large variety of devices and funnels them through several programs that prevent your electronics from ending up where they shouldn't.

Here's what actually happens to your devices after you drop them off, and what you need to know to make sure they go to good use.

If it plugs in, or has a battery, it is a safe bet that Goodwill will take it. The organization accepts desktop and laptop computers, mice, keyboards and other accessories. It will also take video game consoles, mobile phones, digital cameras, chargers and other cables. Internal and external hard drives are also accepted.

Whether it is a complete device or just parts, you can drop e-waste at Goodwill through its drop-off centers. What happens to it next depends on what kind of gadget you are donating, its working condition and your store location. "The type and size of equipment may vary, but the secure recycling process is the same for all materials," Goodwill says on its website.

The website also reminds donors to follow some best practices before donation: be sure to delete any data or files on the devices. But if you forget, Goodwill has a system in place to remove data, including a device called the Destroyinator to run a program called KillDisk that will wipe your electronics clean: "We take protection of your personal data very seriously," the company says.