Old CPAP machines, masks, tubing, and humidifier chambers can be donated, sold to authorized providers, recycled as e-waste, or simply thrown away, depending on the item and its condition. The right option depends on whether your supplies are still functional, how old they are, and whether any of your equipment falls under a recall.
Donate Working Machines and Supplies
If your CPAP or BiPAP machine still works, donating it is the most impactful option. Several organizations accept used equipment and distribute it to people who can’t afford therapy on their own. Most require that machines come from smoke-free households, are in working condition, and aren’t subject to an FDA recall (the 2021 Philips Respironics recall being the most notable).
Organizations that accept CPAP donations include:
- The Wellness, Sleep and Circadian Network (WSCN), formerly the American Sleep Apnea Association, accepts new and lightly used CPAP and BiPAP machines.
- The Reggie White Foundation accepts many CPAP and BiPAP machines and supplies.
- Breathe California takes donations in person and by mail.
- MedWish Medworks accepts drop-off donations in Cleveland and mailed donations.
- Advocates for World Health accepts mailed donations from all 50 states.
- Health Equipment Recycling Organization (HERO) accepts machines for global distribution.
Before you ship anything, check each organization’s current guidelines. Some won’t take machines that are too old or heavily worn, and criteria can change. Most of these groups also accept unopened or lightly used supplies like masks and tubing, which are harder to find secondhand but valuable to recipients.
Selling Is Legal, but Restricted
You can sell a used CPAP machine, but federal law limits who you can sell it to. CPAP devices require a prescription, so you cannot list them on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Amazon. The only legal path is selling to an authorized durable medical equipment provider. Some companies specifically buy or accept trade-ins of used machines, then refurbish and resell them to patients with valid prescriptions.
This restriction exists because private sellers can’t verify that a device works safely or that the buyer has been diagnosed with sleep apnea. If you see used CPAPs listed on public marketplaces, those listings violate federal regulations.
What to Do With Recalled Philips Machines
If you have a Philips Respironics DreamStation or another model covered by the 2021 recall, do not donate or sell it. These devices were recalled because the sound-dampening foam inside could break down and release particles or gases into the airflow. If you received a replacement device, Philips provided instructions and a prepaid shipping label to return the affected unit. If you still have a recalled machine sitting in a closet and never completed the return process, contact Philips directly to arrange it.
Recalled machines should not go into regular trash or donation bins. They need to be returned to the manufacturer for proper handling.
Disposing of Masks, Tubing, and Filters
Soft supplies like masks, tubing, headgear, and filters don’t have much of a second life once they’ve been used. The silicone in CPAP masks is not accepted by standard curbside recycling programs. Most municipalities classify these items the same way they classify personal protective equipment: regular household trash.
If your supplies are unopened and still sealed in packaging, donation organizations will often take them. But once a mask or set of tubing has been used, it’s essentially single-owner equipment. Toss worn-out soft supplies in the trash without guilt. They’re small items and not classified as hazardous waste.
Recycling the Machine Itself
A CPAP machine contains a motor, circuit board, and power components, which makes it electronic waste. Many municipalities prohibit e-waste in regular trash. Check your local waste authority’s guidelines, but in general, you have two options: drop the machine at an e-waste recycling facility (most counties have at least one) or bring it to a retailer that accepts electronics for recycling. Many electronics retailers and manufacturers accept small devices at no charge.
If your machine no longer works and isn’t eligible for donation, e-waste recycling is the responsible disposal route. Your city or county’s recycling directory will list the nearest drop-off location.
When Supplies Should Be Replaced, Not Stored
If you’re holding onto old supplies as backups, it’s worth knowing when they’ve passed the point of safe use. Humidifier water chambers should be replaced roughly every six months. Over time, they develop microscopic cracks that trap moisture and become breeding grounds for mold. If you’ve been waking up congested or coughing, a degraded water chamber could be the reason. Warm, damp environments inside CPAP equipment are ideal for mold growth, and those spores get pushed directly into your airways during therapy.
Masks lose their seal as silicone stretches and oils from your skin break down the material. Tubing can develop pinhole leaks that reduce pressure without being obvious. Filters clog with dust and skin cells. None of these items age well sitting in a drawer, and using degraded supplies can undermine the therapy you’re relying on. If supplies are too old to use safely, they’re too old to donate. Throw them out and start fresh.