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How to recycle your old smartphone, tablet or laptop and make the most of unused tech
There are 40 million unused gadgets in our homes, according to a survey by the Royal Society of Chemistry, with 45% of us hoarding up to five unused devices.
So what can you do with them to avoid committing them to landfill? From passing them on to friends and family to selling, donating and recycling them, there are plenty of options.
But remember - if you're waving goodbye to your old technology, removing your personal information is a vital step. We've got more details below.
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How to dispose of old mobile phones securely
Whether you're giving your old device to a relative, selling it or donating it to charity, make sure you've wiped your data and backed up files you want to keep.
On top of that, don't forget to remove any Sim cards or memory cards before you hand over the device. Here is how to perform a factory reset for both Android mobiles and iPhones:
How to factory reset an Android smartphone
- Open your device's Settings app
- Tap System > Advanced > Reset options
- Tap Erase all data > Reset phone
- Enter your device PIN > Select Continue
- Tap Erase everything to confirm
The steps above will vary depending on the Android model you're using. If in doubt, check your phone manufacturer's website.
How to factory reset an iPhone
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap General > Reset
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings
Got an old laptop you want to get rid of? See our step-by-step guide on how to factory reset a computer.
If you need a new one, our expert lab tests reveal the best laptops for all budgets.
What to do with old devices
If you have a friend or relative who isn't bothered about having the latest gadgets and your unwanted device is still in good working order, consider passing it on to them.
However, if the device is too old it will no longer be receiving software and security updates, making it vulnerable to hackers, so check its status first.
As a rule of thumb, Android phones and tablets aren't generally supported after three years, while you can expect to get five years from an iPhone or iPad.
You can use our free tools to check your specific device:
If you are happy to pass on your gadget to someone you don't know, the website Freecycle allows you to post unwanted items and give them away for free.
You may also want to consider trading in your phone, selling your device or donating it to charity. Scroll down for more information.
Read our expert advice on how to buy a second-hand or refurbished mobile phone
Trade in your phone, laptop or tablet
There are a number of mobile phone companies and high street tech stores that will trade your phone, laptop or tablet for money off a new device or in exchange for a gift card.
For example, on the Apple website you can trade in your Apple iPhone for up to £315 as credit for your next purchase. Even an older model such as the iPhone 7 could get you a credit of up to £45.
Here are some of the other companies you can trade your devices with. Who you choose depends on what you want - be it a credit to buy from the same brand or cold, hard cash.
- Carphone Warehouse accepts mobile phones only but promises speedy payment and guarantees to pay the price quoted for your phone to your bank account - as long as your phone's in the condition you stated
- Currys accepts laptops, tablets, mobile phones, gaming consoles, smart watches and a range of special offers for trade in
- Three takes old phones, tablets and wearable devices. Payment is made the same day if your device arrives with Three by 1pm
- EE Trade-in is available for phones, tablets and smart watches. According to EE, the average value of devices traded in by customers was £170 (between January and July 2022)
- Vodafone accepts phones only. You can trade for credit on your Vodafone account, a monthly saving on your airtime bill or a bank transfer.
Before you trade, check whether free postage is provided or if you need to visit a store.
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Sell your old phone or laptop
You can get paid for your unused device by selling it through a tech-buying high-street retailer such as CeX, which also lets you sell products through its CeX website.
Other tech buying websites you could consider using include:
- EcoATM, where you take your phone to an automated kiosk for an instant valuation and drop-off.
- Mazuma lets you drop off your device at a local DPD shop
- musicMagpie, which also takes items such as books and CDs
Comparison websites such as Compare and Recycle and SellMyMobile are also a useful tool as they show a range of valuations from different companies that will buy your tech. For example, you could get between £200 and £285 for an unlocked Apple iPhone 11 Pro with 64GB of storage.
Most of the online tech buying companies will provide free postage for sending in your smartphone, laptop and tablet.
You can save by buying a refurbished laptop - read our expert advice before parting with your money
Which charities take old mobile phones?
If you'd like your old phone to go to a good cause, there are a number of ways to donate it to charity.
One example is WeeeCharity, which will pick up your gadgets free of charge and reuse, recycle or resell them to raise money for community projects.
Mobile network provider Three also donates phones to a range of charities, including LetsLocalise and the Good Things Foundation, through its 'Reconnected' scheme.
Water Aid and Oxfam have details on their websites on how you can donate your unwanted mobile phone so they can be refurbished or recycled. Water Aid estimates that every phone raises an average of £5.
You can also donate to charity any money raised from selling tech on eBay - the auction site's eBay 'list for charity' webpage shows you how.
Be aware that some charities might not accept devices that are too old to receive security updates.
Check how long a phone will stay secure with our free mobile phone security tool
Where to recycle old phones, laptops or tablets
If your tech is no longer working and you can't find anywhere else for it to go, there are various ways to recycle it. Some retailers will take your tech at stores for recycling - this includes Apple's Trade In store and Currys recycling service.
Dell collects any computer-related devices to recycle for free if you've bought a new Dell system, or any Dell-branded products if you haven't. See the Dell Recycle page on its website to find out more.
If your local council isn't able to collect small electricals directly from your home, you can visit a recycling centre. For an overview of nearby donation points, enter your postcode on Recycle Your Electricals.
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Expert View: how your tech is recycled
Craig Stephens, campaign manager at Recycle Now
Waste electrical items collected at council recycling centres or in kerbside collections are taken to a reprocessing plant where they are shredded into small pieces.
Magnets are used to remove ferrous metals such as steel, while non-magnetic metals such as aluminium are separated using electrical (eddy) currents.
Different types of plastic are identified and can be sorted using near-infrared light or density separation.
Each raw material is then sent to be made into something brand new. For instance zinc, found in mobile phones, can be used in shipbuilding or for galvanising railings. Gold found in games consoles can be made into jewellery and plastics from lawn mowers can be used in musical instruments.
From toasters to unwanted chargers, find out how to recycle electrical items
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