How To Safely Recycle Old Laptops: Working Or Not

If you no longer use your old laptop, or if your old laptop is broken, there are many ways to recycle it and dispose of it responsibly. In many countries disposing of electrical goods in household waste is against the law and can incur various penalties, but even where this is not the case there’s no point in throwing something away when it could be useful elsewhere. Here are some useful suggestions on how to recycle old laptops.

1) Sell It On eBay: One very easy option is to try selling your old laptop on eBay. If it still works, then there’s a good chance someone will want it, and even if it's broken you can sell it for spare parts. Workshops that specialize in laptop repairs are always looking out for old parts. If eBay fails, it’s also worth trying to sell through classified ads websites such as Gumtree and Craigslist. Although the potential audience may be smaller than eBay, listings are free.

2) Use Freecycle: If you can’t sell find a buyer then try Freecycle. This is a free and easy way to recycle old laptops. There is always demand for things when they’re free, so a Freecycle listing is likely to attract some attention.

3) Ask In A Computer Store: If you’re not sure what to do with your old laptop, go into a computer store and ask. Your best bet is to visit an independent retailer or computer repair shop, where the staff will have a better knowledge of the computing industry and be more familiar with second hand goods.

4) Donate To A Charity: Many charities would be happy to take an old laptop off your hands and this is one of the most resourceful ways to recycle old laptops. Not only do you get to dispose of your laptop (often the charity will even arrange to come and collect it from your house), but it can be used to raise money as a result. Alternatively, some charities may like to make use of the machine directly, making use of it in a hospice where facilities are usually limited.

5) Government Recycling Initiatives: Many countries now have services set up specifically to recycle old laptops and other electrical equipment. As landfill sites and city dumps are getting larger, and governments are becoming increasingly aware of the need for responsible disposal of waste electrical products, directives are being put into place that enable laptop owners to return their products to the shop from which they were bought, or to take them to special collection points.

Note: Beware that when you recycle old laptops you may be exposing your personal data to criminals who can take advantage of bank details or other sensitive information. For this reason, it is important to make sure that all personal data is erased. There is specialist software designed for this purpose.