When your electronics have reached the end of the line, what do you do? Read on to find out how you can give them a new lease of life…
Lets face it, we all have drawers filled to bursting with random bits of cables, headphones, old phones, that apple watch you bought during a health kick and never wore again… In fact, the average household has 20 perfectly good devices just sitting around, so what can you do?
Donate or gift them!
It is pretty much guaranteed that someone you know would love to get their hands on that bit of tech that you are unknowingly hoarding. So ask around, fire off a few texts, and hand off the gadget over the coffee you have both been promising to have for ages.
If absolutely no one you know wants it, check in with your local charities.
Fix them!
If you’ve stopped using the gadget because it's a bit worn or broken, don’t just bin and replace it. Some manufacturers will offer repair services and there are many organisations that specialise in fixing tech so you can love using it for longer.
Sell them!
That pile of 20 gadgets could be worth £100’s, maybe even over £1000 if you have high-end or newer models. Hop on over to sites like Facebook Marketplace and eBay to get cash straight into your hand by selling your electronics and giving them a new home.
Even your worn out devices can bring in some dosh by selling them on to a refurbisher, who will give them a new lease of life before sending them on to their new home. Reputable refurbishers include Currys (we love to see circular economics!), iPad-Recycle, MusicMagpie, Reboxed, SellMyMobile… There are so many so what’s stopping you!
Recycle them!
Sadly, some electronics are too old and busted to be sold on, but that doesn’t mean they should end up in the bin.
Recycle them instead at your closest recycling point which can be found here. Each item is broken down and separated in the UK, and valuable materials like gold and copper are recovered and sold on to become something new!
And don’t forget to backup & delete your data!
If you are sending the item off to someone else or to be recycled, your data could be at risk. It is important that you destroy - not just delete - your data otherwise it can be accessed and illegally used by computer savvy criminals for fraud and other criminal activities. Manufacturers will provide details on how to do this on their websites, but you can also find out how to do it here.
For more information on recycling electrical goods, we recommend checking out recycleyourelectricals.org.uk. Let's stop Fast-Tech together!
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