How to Responsibly Dispose of Your Electronics (2026)
That you have an old phone languishing in a desk drawer or a broken laptop gathering dust in the back of a cupboard, there will never be a better time to get rid of it. Chances are your unwanted gadget will become useful again, and it might even earn you a little money or help someone else. Recycling should be the last resort, but if there is no other option for your device, there are ways to recycle electronics responsibly.
Global e-waste exceeded 62 million tonnes in 2022, according to the latest data released by the United Nations’ Global E-Waste Monitor, and only 22.3% of this waste was collected and recycled. Too many old electronic devices end up in landfills and the hellish e-waste graveyards of poor countries, where they poison communities. The problem is only getting worse, with an estimated increase of 2.6 million tonnes each year, bringing us to 82 million by 2030. Governments, businesses and citizens are waking up to the fact that we need to do better. The big question is: how? Here are some resources, services and ideas that can help you.
Updated March 2026: We’ve added more donation suggestions and tips on what to do before throwing away electronics.
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Use devices longer
Before throwing away your devices, consider using them a little longer. Do you really need an upgrade? Maybe you can reuse your old device to give it more life. For example, you could turn that old phone into a webcam. If you’re determined to buy a new device, look for ethical and eco-friendly electronics. Look for manufacturers and retailers that offer take-back and recycling programs.
Consider buying used products on eBay or other marketplaces, or look for refurbished gadgets. Manufacturers like Apple and Samsung offer refurbished devices at a discount, and you can find many refurbished products on Amazon. Elizabeth Chamberlain, director of sustainability at iFixit, recommends Back Market for refurbished phones. For more tips and ideas, we have a guide on how to buy used or refurbished electronics.
Transmit devices
Passing the devices on to family members, friends and neighbors who can use them is the best way to get the most out of them. “Don’t let devices hibernate in a drawer or closet and waste away,” says Jeff Seibert, who works at SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International). “Get them into the hands of someone else who can use them as quickly as possible, because the older the devices get, the less positive impact they can have.” »
If you don’t know anyone who can use your old electronics, try the Freecycle Network or local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook to find people interested in giveaways.
Repair and refurbishment
Whether you’re planning to get a little more use out of a device, want to pass it on to someone, or are considering selling it, repairing or refurbishing it is a wise decision to begin with. If you want to try repairing a device, iFixit is a great place to start. It offers over 90,000 step-by-step repair guides covering phones, tablets, laptops, computers, games consoles and cameras.
YouTube is another great place to find repair videos, and Chamberlain recommends checking out repair techs like Louis Rossmann, Jessa Jones, Ben’s Appliances and Junk, and Rich Rebuilds, but there’s no shortage of repair videos for the specific gadget you’re looking for.
