If you have an old CPAP machine sitting in a closet, you have several options: donate it, sell it through a medical equipment provider, recycle it, or return it to the manufacturer. The right choice depends on whether the machine still works, whether it’s been recalled, and whether you want to help someone else get access to sleep apnea treatment.
Donate It to a Sleep Apnea Nonprofit
Donation is the most common route for a working CPAP machine you no longer need. The American Sleep Apnea Association runs a CPAP donation program that connects used machines with people who can’t afford one. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine directs donors to this same program through its website. Sleep apnea treatment devices can cost hundreds to over a thousand dollars out of pocket, so a used machine in good condition has real value to someone without insurance coverage.
Before donating, know that most programs only accept the machine itself, not used masks, tubing, or filters. FDA rules and hygiene concerns make used accessories a nonstarter since they’ve been in direct contact with respiratory fluids. New, factory-sealed supplies are sometimes accepted, but anything you’ve breathed through will need to be discarded separately. If your machine has a detachable humidifier chamber, check with the specific program about whether they’ll take it.
Sell or Trade In Through a Medical Equipment Provider
You can sell a used CPAP machine, but federal law restricts how. CPAP devices are prescription medical equipment, which means they can only be sold to someone who has a prescription from a licensed provider. You can’t legally list one on a general marketplace and sell it to whoever wants it.
The practical route is to contact an online or local durable medical equipment (DME) provider and ask if they purchase used machines. Some companies buy them, refurbish them, and resell them to patients with valid prescriptions. The price you’ll get depends on the machine’s age, model, and condition. Don’t expect a large return, but it beats throwing it away. If you see used CPAPs listed on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, those sales technically violate federal regulations around prescription device distribution.
Wipe Your Data Before It Leaves Your Hands
Your CPAP machine stores personal data: your sleep patterns, usage hours, pressure settings, and prescription information. Before you donate, sell, or recycle it, you should erase that data. On Philips Respironics machines, there’s a full data erasure option in the clinical setup menu. It’s all or nothing; you can’t selectively delete certain records. The steps are in the clinical setup manual, which you can usually find online if you’ve lost the paper copy.
ResMed and other brands have similar reset options, though the exact process varies by model. Check the manufacturer’s website or call their support line for instructions specific to your device. If you used an SD card to track your data, remove it and either erase it or keep it for your own records.
Return Recalled or Broken Machines to the Manufacturer
If your old CPAP was part of a recall (the massive 2021 Philips Respironics recall affected millions of devices), contact the manufacturer directly. They’ll provide instructions for returning the machine for disposal. This applies to broken machines too. Manufacturers can guide you on proper disposal even if there’s no formal recall, so calling them is always a reasonable first step if you’re unsure what to do.
Don’t throw a recalled device in a donation bin. These machines were pulled from use for safety reasons, and passing one along could put someone’s health at risk.
Recycle the Machine Responsibly
CPAP machines contain electronic components, plastics, and sometimes small amounts of metals that shouldn’t go in regular household trash. If the machine is too old or broken to donate or sell, treat it like any other piece of electronic waste. Many municipal recycling programs accept small electronics, and dedicated e-waste drop-off events are common in most areas.
Some CPAP retailers and DME providers will also take back old equipment for recycling. It’s worth asking when you pick up a replacement machine. If none of those options are convenient, the manufacturer’s customer service line can point you to disposal resources specific to your device model.
Know When It’s Time to Replace
Most CPAP machines are designed to last roughly five years with regular use, though some hold up longer. Insurance companies, including Medicare, generally cover a replacement after five years of ownership. Medicare specifically pays for CPAP rental over 13 continuous months of use, after which you own the machine. A replacement can be covered once the original has reached the end of its expected lifespan, provided your doctor documents that therapy is still working for you.
If your machine is still running but noticeably louder, less effective at maintaining pressure, or showing error codes, those are signs the motor or internal components are wearing out. An old machine that isn’t delivering consistent pressure isn’t just annoying; it may not be treating your sleep apnea effectively. Accessories wear out faster than the machine itself. Masks, cushions, tubing, and filters all have shorter replacement cycles, typically every few months to a year depending on the part.
What About International Donations
Some organizations refurbish and ship medical equipment, including CPAP-type breathing devices, to hospitals in low-resource countries. Programs have delivered devices to hospitals in Uganda, Palestine, South Africa, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, among others. However, these efforts tend to be organized by medical charities and institutions working at scale, not set up to accept individual donations from patients. If international aid appeals to you, look into organizations like the International Medical Education Trust (IMET2000) or similar groups focused on medical equipment access, and ask whether they have a channel for individual device donations.
For most people, the simplest path is donating locally through the American Sleep Apnea Association’s program, wiping your data first, and recycling any used accessories that can’t be passed along.