Where Can I Donate CPAP Supplies and Equipment?

Several national and local organizations accept donated CPAP machines, masks, tubing, and accessories, including the American Sleep Apnea Association’s CPAP Assistance Program, charitable groups like Secondwind CPAP, many local sleep clinics, and some durable medical equipment (DME) providers. The process is straightforward, but the details matter: not every piece of CPAP equipment is suitable for donation, preparation steps vary by organization, and certain recalled devices require special handling.

Why CPAP Donations Are in High Demand

Sleep apnea treatment has a cost problem. A CPAP machine typically runs several hundred dollars, and insurance coverage is uneven. In one study of patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea at a hospital clinic, only about 59% of those with severe cases and 30% with moderate cases actually received a CPAP device. Among those eligible, roughly two-thirds paid for the machine out of pocket, and cost aversion was documented as the reason for not getting a device in 45% of patients who went without.¹ That gap between diagnosis and treatment is where donations fill a real need.

The financial strain hits older adults especially hard. Qualitative research on older patients with obstructive sleep apnea found that many cited financial hardship as the primary reason they never purchased a CPAP machine, describing situations where government pensions or welfare payments barely covered daily living expenses, let alone a medical device.² People on fixed incomes, those without insurance, and patients in rural or underserved communities are often priced out of a device that could dramatically improve their sleep and cardiovascular health. Every gently used CPAP machine sitting in a closet represents a potential treatment for someone who cannot afford one.

National Organizations That Accept CPAP Donations

The most widely recognized program is run by the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA). Their CPAP Assistance Program accepts donated machines and redistributes them to patients who lack insurance coverage or cannot afford the out-of-pocket cost. You can typically ship equipment directly to the organization or drop it off at participating locations. The ASAA has been running this program for years and is the first place most sleep specialists will point you toward.

Secondwind CPAP is another well-known nonprofit that collects used CPAP and BiPAP machines, refurbishes them, and provides them to uninsured or underinsured patients. They accept machines, humidifiers, and power supplies, though they generally ask that you not send masks, tubing, or filters, since those items are harder to sanitize for reuse. Their process involves testing each donated machine to make sure it still functions properly before passing it along.

Some faith-based and community health organizations also collect CPAP equipment for distribution domestically or internationally. Programs vary by region, so it is worth searching for local medical equipment donation charities in your area. Many of these smaller groups partner with sleep clinics to handle the clinical side of matching patients with appropriate devices.

Local Options You Might Not Think Of

Your own sleep clinic or pulmonologist’s office may accept CPAP donations directly. Many sleep medicine practices run informal donation programs where they collect used machines from patients who have upgraded, switched therapies, or no longer need the device. The advantage here is that the clinic’s staff can evaluate the equipment, ensure it works, and match it with a patient who already has a prescription and knows how to use it.

DME suppliers, the companies that originally provided your CPAP equipment, sometimes participate in donation or trade-in programs as well. It is worth calling the supplier you originally worked with to ask. Some will refurbish and redistribute; others will at minimum handle proper disposal or recycling of equipment you no longer need.

Veterans’ organizations and military support groups occasionally collect CPAP equipment for veterans who face delays in getting devices through the VA system. If supporting veterans specifically appeals to you, searching for veteran-focused medical equipment charities in your state can turn up regional programs.

Hospitals and academic medical centers with sleep medicine departments sometimes operate their own donation pipelines. One clinical outreach program described in the sleep medicine literature developed a formal PAP device donation initiative specifically to help patients with diagnosed or suspected obstructive sleep apnea who could not afford treatment. The program collected donated devices, refurbished them, and provided them to patients at no cost.³ Programs like this exist at various institutions around the country, though they are not always widely advertised. A phone call to a nearby academic hospital’s sleep center is a good way to find out.

What You Can Donate and What You Should Toss

Not every piece of CPAP equipment is worth donating. The general rule is that hard, durable components are donatable, while soft, porous items that contact your skin or airways are usually not.

Machines: CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP machines in working condition are the most valuable donations. Even older models are useful if they power on and maintain pressure correctly.
Humidifiers: Integrated or detachable humidifier chambers can typically be donated, since they can be disinfected.
Power cords and adapters: Always include these with the machine if you have them. A CPAP without its power supply is much harder for a recipient to use.
Carrying cases: These are welcome and easy to clean.
Masks: This is where it gets complicated. Some organizations accept masks that are lightly used or still in packaging, while others refuse all masks on hygiene grounds. Ask before shipping.
Tubing and filters: Most programs do not want used tubing or filters. These are inexpensive, porous, and difficult to fully sanitize. New, unopened tubing and filters in their original packaging are sometimes accepted.

If your machine still has a valid prescription tied to it and you have the original documentation, include that information. It helps donation programs verify the device settings and match it to an appropriate recipient.

How to Prepare Your Equipment Before Donating

A little preparation goes a long way toward making your donation usable. Start by cleaning the machine’s exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap. Remove the humidifier chamber and wash it with warm soapy water, rinsing thoroughly. Let everything air dry completely before packing it up, since trapped moisture can encourage mold growth during shipping or storage.

Remove your SD card or data card if the machine has one. These cards store your personal sleep data, including usage hours and pressure settings, and there is no reason for that information to travel with the donated device. The receiving organization will reprogram the machine for the new user anyway.

If you still have the original box, use it for shipping. If not, pack the machine snugly in a box with padding so it does not shift around during transit. Wrap the humidifier chamber separately to prevent cracking. Include all accessories you are donating: power cord, hose adapter, carrying case.

Check the specific organization’s guidelines before you ship. Some programs ask you to fill out an online donation form first and will send you a shipping label. Others prefer that you drop equipment off locally. A few ask for photos of the equipment beforehand so they can assess whether it is worth refurbishing.

The Philips Recall and Donated Devices

In 2021, Philips Respironics issued a massive recall affecting millions of CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator devices due to concerns that a sound-dampening foam inside the machines could degrade and release particles or gases into the airflow. The recall covered a wide range of DreamStation models and created significant disruption in the CPAP supply chain, leaving many patients scrambling for replacement devices.

If you are donating a Philips machine, check first whether your specific model and serial number fall under the recall. Philips set up an online portal where you can enter your device information to check its status. Most reputable donation organizations will not accept recalled devices unless Philips has already completed the repair or replacement for that specific unit. If your device was recalled and you received a replacement, the recalled unit should have been returned to Philips rather than donated.

This is one area where donation programs have had to become more careful. The clinical outreach program described in the sleep medicine literature emphasized safe use of donated devices, including verification and refurbishment steps, precisely because donated equipment does not come with the same quality assurances as a new device from a supplier.³ If you are unsure about your device’s recall status, err on the side of checking before donating.

Can You Donate Internationally?

Some organizations ship refurbished CPAP equipment to developing countries where sleep apnea is underdiagnosed and treatment access is extremely limited. The need is arguably even greater internationally than domestically, since CPAP machines may be entirely unavailable in parts of Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, even for patients who have been diagnosed.

International donation comes with extra logistical challenges. Shipping medical devices across borders involves customs regulations, and some countries require import permits for medical equipment. Voltage differences can also be an issue, since a machine built for 110-volt North American outlets will not work without an adapter or transformer in countries that use 220-volt systems. Organizations that specialize in international medical equipment donation handle these logistics, but it means your donated machine may take longer to reach a recipient.

If international impact is your goal, look for organizations that specifically mention global distribution in their mission. Some groups focus on particular regions or partner with clinics abroad. Donating a machine with a universal power supply, or including a voltage converter, makes the device more useful for international recipients.

Tax Deductions for CPAP Donations

Donating medical equipment to a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization qualifies as a tax-deductible charitable contribution in the United States. The amount you can deduct is generally the fair market value of the equipment at the time of donation, not what you originally paid for it. Since CPAP machines depreciate, a device you bought for $800 three years ago might have a fair market value of a couple hundred dollars or less.

To claim the deduction, you need documentation. Get a receipt from the receiving organization that includes the date of donation, a description of the items donated, and the organization’s tax ID number. For donations valued above $250, the IRS requires a written acknowledgment from the charity. For donations exceeding $500 in total value, you will need to fill out IRS Form 8283. Keep your records, including photos of the equipment and any shipping receipts, in case of an audit.

Not every CPAP donation program is operated by a tax-exempt nonprofit, so confirm the organization’s status before assuming you can write off the donation. Sleep clinics and DME suppliers that accept equipment informally may not qualify.

Environmental Reasons to Donate Instead of Discard

A CPAP machine that ends up in a landfill represents wasted materials, embedded energy, and electronic waste. The device contains plastic housings, circuit boards, motors, and sometimes lithium-ion batteries, all of which carry an environmental cost to produce and dispose of. A systematic review of medical device carbon footprints found that production and manufacturing represent recurring carbon hotspots for single-use devices, while extending the life of reusable devices through refurbishment and reprocessing can redirect those environmental costs more effectively.⁴

Donating a CPAP machine extends its useful life by years. A well-maintained device can function reliably for five to seven years or more, and many donated machines still have several years of functional life left when their original owner moves on. Even if a donation program ultimately determines that a machine is not suitable for patient use, many of them will recycle the components rather than send the whole unit to a landfill. That is a better outcome for the environment either way.

What If Your Machine Is Too Old or Broken?

If your CPAP machine no longer powers on, makes unusual noises, or has visible damage to the housing or internal components, it probably is not a candidate for patient use. But that does not mean it belongs in the trash. Some donation programs accept non-working machines for parts. Motors, pressure sensors, humidifier chambers, and circuit boards from one broken unit can sometimes be used to repair another.

If no donation program will take it, look for electronics recycling in your area. Many municipalities have e-waste collection events or permanent drop-off sites that accept small medical electronics. Best Buy and other retailers with electronics recycling programs may also take small devices, though you should call ahead to confirm they accept medical equipment specifically.

For machines with lithium-ion battery packs, such as travel CPAP units, proper disposal is especially important. Lithium batteries should never go in regular trash or curbside recycling due to fire risk. Battery recycling programs like Call2Recycle or local hazardous waste facilities are the right channel for those components.

Masks, Headgear, and Accessories

The consumable side of CPAP therapy generates a surprising amount of waste. Insurance companies and DME suppliers typically recommend replacing masks every three months, cushions and pillows monthly, tubing every three months, and filters on a similar schedule. Many patients end up with a drawer full of barely used masks that did not fit well, or backup supplies they never opened.

Unopened, sealed supplies are almost universally accepted by donation programs. If you tried a mask style that did not work for you and still have an unopened replacement in its packaging, that is a high-value donation. Sealed filters, new tubing in bags, and unused headgear straps are all useful.

Used masks are trickier. The silicone or gel cushion that contacts your face is a potential infection-control concern. Some programs will accept used masks that have been thoroughly cleaned, inspect and sanitize them, and redistribute them. Others draw the line at any previously worn mask. When in doubt, contact the organization directly and describe what you have. A used mask that you cleaned meticulously might be fine for one program and unacceptable to another.

Headgear, chin straps, and fabric components that have been washed are generally accepted by programs that take used supplies, since these items can be laundered effectively. Machine-washable accessories are easier for donation programs to process than items that require chemical disinfection.