Purging Old Electronics
One of the most troublesome burdens plaguing all my clients is old electronics taking up both physical & mental space in their lives. Whether it's an old smartphone collecting dust in a drawer or a bulky computer monitor taking up space in the garage, disposing of old electronics can present a dilemma. Tossing them in the trash might seem like the easiest solution, but it's not the most responsible one. Electronics contain valuable materials that can be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of. So, what's the best way to bid farewell to your old gadgets? Let's explore some eco-friendly options for getting them out of your home. Here’s how you should handle these items.
Back Up all Files & Valuable Information. Whether it’s a phone that you can upload to the cloud or a hard-drive that you back up to a flash drive - save these files if you can. If your device is broken to the point that it won’t turn on, a repair center might be your best bet to recover files. However, if you’re holding on to items to recover items and years start to pass with these items lingering in a drawer… maybe those items aren’t worth recovering?
Sign out of all Accounts. As an added security step, sign out of all accounts that you have saved passwords with. To do this in Google Chrome:
Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu at the top right corner of the browser window.
Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
In the Settings tab, click on "Privacy and security" in the left-hand sidebar.
Under the "Security" section, click on "Manage certificates."
In the "Certificates" window, go to the "Personal" tab and select "Remove all."
Confirm the action to remove all certificates, which will effectively log you out from all websites where you were previously logged in.
Erase all Data from the Device. How to do this will depend on your operating system. If you can’t log-in to your device (say, if it’s too broken).
For Android devices, you should go to the Settings app > System > Advanced > Reset Options. Choosing the “Factory Reset” option will allow you to erase all data.
For iOS devices, you should go to the Settings app > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings.
For Mac devices, begin by restarting macOS, and as it starts to boot up, hold “Option+Command+R” and release the keys when the spinning globe appears. Choose “Continue” and follow the on-screen instructions to clean the hard drive.
For Windows devices, you should load the Settings application in Control Panel > Update and Security > Recovery > Reset this PC. Select the option to remove all personal files to wipe all data.
For Chrome devices, go to the Settings pane > Advanced > Powerwash.
Consider Selling Your Device. If your device is in working condition & you’re able to wipe your data, then consider selling it. You can use Facebook, NextDoor, CraigsList, etc. to try to command the highest fee. Be upfront about whether there are any defects. Decluttr, Swappa, & GadgetPickup may not get you as much money as going direct to the buyer, but they’re more hassle free.
Consider Donating Your Device. If your device is in good working order and you’re able to factory reset it but don’t want to tell with selling it, consider donating it. Goodwill wipes all devices before re-selling them. Cell Phones for Soldiers and Recycle Health (for Fitbits) are other good options. Donation Town helps you locate other non-profits that will put your discarded electronics to good use.
Recycle your Device. Not all recycling options are considered equal. You’ll want to recycle them with a company that is focused on end of life responsible practices. This means that they don’t just send the electronic device off to a huge dumping facility in a 3rd world country where it poisons the earth & community. Instead, look for an e-Steward Certified partner (such as Staples). These companies also securely manage your data so you can rest assured that even if you weren’t able to factory reset your device, your data won’t fall into nefarious hands. You can find responsible recycling centers using this interactive map.
