If you have an old laptop collecting dust, consider these eco-friendly and practical options to repurpose or dispose of it responsibly:

1. Sell It

Old laptops can fetch a surprising amount on resale platforms.
- Where to Sell:
- Online Marketplaces: eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Swappa, OfferUp.
- Buy-Back Sites: Gazelle, Decluttr, ItsWorthMore.
- Example: Non-functioning MacBook Pros have sold for $420 on eBay.
- Privacy Tip: Remove sensitive data before selling. Perform a factory reset on tablets or remove the hard drive from laptops. Use guides from iFixit for DIY hard drive removal.

2. Recycle It

Avoid letting laptops end up in landfills by using recycling programs.
- Municipal Programs: Check your local government or sanitation department’s website for e-waste collection schedules.
- National Options:
- Dell Reconnect: Accepts donations through participating Goodwill stores.
- Retail Programs: Best Buy, Amazon, and Apple offer trade-in programs, often with gift cards as rewards.
- Recycling Locators:
- CTA’s Recycle Locator
- Earth911

3. Donate It

Help someone in need by donating your old laptop.
- Organizations to Contact:
- Digitunity: Connects donors with families in need.
- World Computer Exchange: Supports education and job access globally.
- Tax Deduction: Donations may be tax-deductible based on fair market value. Use tools like TurboTax’s ItsDeductible for valuation.
- Eligibility: Ensure the device is in good condition to qualify for write-offs.

4. Gift It

Pass it along to a child, friend, or family member who could use a laptop.
- Preparation:
- On PCs: Follow Microsoft’s instructions for resetting and reinstalling Windows.
- On Macs: Back up data, sign out of accounts, erase the hard drive, and reinstall MacOS.

By selling, recycling, donating, or gifting your old laptop, you can give it a second life while helping others or the environment.

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