How to get rid of electronics (2025) responsibly

Whether you have The old phone that wears a desktop or a broken laptop that collects dust at the back of the cabinet, there will be no better time to get rid of it. There is a good opportunity for your unwanted performance that can return to a useful service, and it may make you a little money or help someone else. Recycling should be the last resort, but if there is nothing else for your tool, there are ways to recycle electronics responsibly.

Global electronic waste amounted to 50 million metric tons in 2019, according to United Nations Electronic Waste ScreenAnd only 17.4 percent of this waste was collected and recycled. Many old electronics end up in waste burials Cemeter of Hell E-WASTE Where are they? Poison communities. The problem is worse. the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Forum (WeEE) It is estimated that 5.3 billion phones start from use in 2022 alone. Governments, companies and people wake up to the fact that we should do what is better. The big question is, how? Here are some resources, services and ideas that can help.

Updated in February 2025: We have added advice on recycling electronics and details of a new battery recycling program.

Use devices for a longer period

Before throwing devices away, consider using them for a little longer. Do you really need to upgrade? Maybe you can Re -view your old device To press more life from him. may About this old phone to a webcamFor example. If you are dead to shop for a new device, do your search to find it Ethical and environmentally friendly electronics. Look for manufacturers and retailers with trade and recycling programs.

It is considered Buy the products used on EBAY Or other markets, or search for the tools that have been renewed. Manufacturers like apple and Samsung Provide a deduction renewable devices, and you can find a lot The goods were renewed in Amazon. Elizabeth Chamberlain, sustainability director IfixitRecommend The back market For renewed phones.

Pass the devices on

Passing devices to family members, friends and neighbors who can use them is the best way to press the maximum value of them. Jeff Sepert, who works in Sir (International sustainable electronics recycling). “Make them in the hands of another person who can use them as quickly as possible because older devices get the less positive effect that you can make.”

If you don’t know anyone who can use your old electronics, try Freecycle Network Or local Do not buy groups nothing On Facebook to find people interested in free torture.

Reform and renewal

Whether you are planning to pressure a little more than the device, you want to transfer it to someone, or plan to sell it, fix it or renew it first, is a smart step. If you want to try to fix a device, Ifixit It is a great place to start. It includes more than 90,000 step -by -step repair guides covering phones, tablets, laptops, computers, gaming devices and cameras.

YouTube is another wonderful place to find videos of repair, and Chamberlain recommends that reform techniques be verified Louis Rosmanand Jessa Jonesand Ben and Al -Kharda devicesAnd Rich reconstructionBut there is no shortage of repairing videos for the specific tools you are looking for.