Read This Before You Throw Away Your Electronic Devices

Many of us have old electronics sitting around the house. The question is, what do you do with them? Let’s explore your options.

Repair

If you think you can fix the old electronic item, you can look up how to fix it yourself on sites like IFixIt. You can also find many guides to fixing electronics on YouTube.

Sell

If the electronic item doesn’t need repair, you may consider selling it.

• Buy Back. Some companies offer buy-back or trade-in programs, like Apple and Dell.
• Check the Marketplace. Then there are the many used electronic marketplaces, from DeCuttr to Swappa. 

Donate

Some organizations accept electronics as donations.

• Non-Profits. Try Goodwill or search your local non-profits.
• Buy Nothing. There’s also Buy Nothing, where you can simply give your electronics away to someone who might need it. You might also know someone who could use an old laptop.
• Family or Friends. Reach out to family and friends, or tap your social media networks to see if anyone could benefit from your used electronics.

Recycle

Consider recycling your old devices the proper way so they don’t end up in a landfill.

• Local Recycling. Contact your local sanitation department for the proper way to recycle the electronic item.
• Recycle by Mail. There are also some electronic mail-in recycling programs available.
• Recycling Pick-Up. In some localities, there will be a curbside pick-up for used electronics that will eventually be recycled. 

Do One Thing: Before you do anything with your used electronics, make sure you wipe your data from the device. Doing so ensures that your private information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.