HOW TO DECLUTTER RESPONSIBLY: REUSE, RECYCLE, RESELL

Paring down is all the rage, but what do you do with the things you purge?

- JILL DUFFY

You’re ready to get rid of the old, unused devices that have accumulated in your home and office. That’s admirable. But what are you going to do with the things you don’t want? You know you should dispose of these items, including electronic waste, in a responsible way. But what constitutes “responsible” leaves a lot of people guessing.

When in doubt, leave it out—of the trash, that is. Here’s what else you can try.

RESELL COMPUTERS, TABLETS, AND SMARTPHONES

Reselling used electronics is a great option for desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It can work for other items, too, but the aforementioned items are easy wins. The downside is that reselling can be a time-consuming process, so if your priority is getting rid of clutter, you may have to skip this one (look at recycling instead).

When you sell back your electronics, the reseller usually cleans them up and sells them yet again as refurbished models. For your own safety, be sure you erase all personal information from your devices and perform a full factory reset.

While some people assume they need to have last year’s model for a resale to be worthwhile, that’s not always true. Your devices don’t have to be pristine, either, although their condition will affect the amount of the buyer’s offer.