How to Dispose of Electronics

Donating Unwanted Electronics

1. 
   Determine whether your electronics are in good condition to donate. If your electronics are still functioning and less than 5 years old, they're good to donate. Check that they don't need any major repairs or replacement of parts, either. Most nonprofits won't be able to afford those fixes.^[1]

   1. If your electronics don't meet those conditions, recycle them instead.
2. 
   Destroy all data on an electronic device before you donate it. If there's any content on your device that you want to keep, back it up on another device or external hard drive first. Make sure your data is encrypted (iPhones do this automatically but for Androids, you may have to do it manually in your Settings menu). Then restore the electronic device to its original factory settings through a factory reset.^[2]

   1. To do a factory reset on your phone or tablet, go into your settings menu. On iPhones or iPads, tap 'General' and then 'Reset.' On Androids, tap 'Security' followed by 'Security Wipe' (for a Blackberry) or 'About' followed by 'Reset' (for Windows phones).^[3]
   2. Removing the SIM or SD card is another step to take against identity theft. Sometimes it will still contain data after a factory reset so take it out of the device and destroy it.
3. 
   Take the device to a school, senior center, or community center. Many local schools or centers that don't require a lot of bandwidth or advanced technology accept used electronics. They'll use the devices for students who may not have access to them at home or for elderly people learning how to use technology. Call ahead to find out what types of electronic devices they're looking for and how to donate them.^[4]

   1. The National Cristina Foundation works to connect people looking to donate used electronics with schools that are in need. Their website lets you search for schools near you.^[5]
4. 
   Donate the electronic device to a nonprofit organization. Always ask the organization beforehand what types of electronics they take and in what condition. To find an organization, visit the Electronics Industry Alliance's website where they provide a list of all the organizations across the country that accept electronics donations.^[6]

   1. There are nonprofits geared towards specific devices. For example, Computers with Causes collects computers and computer accessories whereas Secure the Call collects cell phones.^[7]
   2. Ask for a receipt so you can deduct the donation from your tax returns at the end of the year.^[8]