We all have one: an old electronics tote, drawer, or collection spot. No matter how great we are at keeping our equipment in good shape, it soon becomes outdated with the pace of change of technology. The apps may not work anymore, or you might simply have received your upgrade.  

This means we are left with a wealth of electronics in perfect working order, but lacking in utility.

This isn’t just an individual problem, but a national one. According to Global News, electronic waste has nearly tripled in four years. That is over 100,000 tons of electronics being dismissed. This vast amount of electronic waste takes up room in landfills and can leak toxic chemicals.

Simultaneously, as electronic frivolousness is on the rise, material frivolousness is out. The new trend is to live with less, like Graham Hill in his 420-square-foot studio. The movement of minimalism has led many to purge their drawers, closets, and homes to free up space and downsize.

So, where does this leave all the perfectly good electronics? There are a few options at your disposal:

The best option is resale. The adage goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and it is no less true with electronics.

There are a variety of options for resale on the internet. You can easily sell your iPhone or other working electronics on platforms designed specifically for that purpose.

These websites are streamlined to make the selling process as simple as possible. This is much easier than trying to sell your electronics yourself on sites such as eBay (News - Alert). It can be difficult to find buyers on sites like these, and there’s also the risk of complications with customers.

By using a site that’s intended for selling old electronics, you are guaranteeing that you’ll get a good deal and have a trusted, easy process.

Resale is the best way to get something back for your electronics. The average price for a used phone ranges from $8 to $220, depending on the model and condition. You can look up comparable prices for any electronic you’re trying to sell.

This is a great option if you are looking to invest in some new technology to replace what you are getting rid of, as it means you’ll have some extra money in your pocket.

If you aren’t interested in resale, you can consider trading in your electronics like you would a used vehicle. Phone (News - Alert) companies will often take in an old phone for credit towards a new one.

Phones aren’t the only electronic you can trade in. Stores like Target (News - Alert) and Best Buy accept trade-ins on most electronics. If you aren’t interested in heading to the store, Amazon now boasts a trade in program as well.

Sometimes electronics are so old that resale and trading in aren’t options. In that case, a great option is recycling.

Help reduce the amount of electronic waste by participating in your community’s drives. This is the easiest way to get rid of the old when cleaning out the house. Although it doesn’t have the added bonus of cash or credit, it does give you the satisfaction of knowing that you did your part to keep the environment clean and safe.

If you’re not up for joining the community drives, then it is simple enough to find another way to recycle. Many electronics shops collect recycled goods, as well as many online services.

Before you embark on selling, trading in, or recycling your old electronics, it’s important to check them to ensure there’s no personal information left. Old phones may have log-in details or phone numbers on them, and old cameras might be filled with personal family photos. Make sure that you are happy with everything on the device, and not just the device itself, to go into another’s hands.

Keep up with the times and keep the earth clean by repurposing your old electronics rather than sending them to the trash. You may even be able to make a bit of extra money off them. Whatever method you choose, it’s better than letting electronics pile up in your home or landfills.

About the Author

Gareth Mooreland is a full-time writer and a content marketing expert and have previously worked for technology companies in the US, UK and Australia. He is the go-to expert to write about technology and business. When not writing, Gareth enjoys taking landscape photos around the world. His lifetime ambition is to visit every country in the world. Only 128 to go!