VisionBank of Iowa
FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government

Service Notice: All VisionBank locations will be closed on Monday, February 17th, in observance of Presidents' Day. You can still take care of all of your banking needs through VisionBank Online, your mobile app, or by visiting any of our conveniently located ATMs.

Read This Before You Throw Away Your Electronic Devices

January 23, 2025

What to do with used electronics.

Many of us have old electronics sitting around the house. The question is, what do you do with them? Let’s explore your options.

Repair

If you think you can fix the old electronic item, you can look up how to fix it yourself on sites like IFixIt. You can also find many guides to fixing electronics on YouTube.

Sell

If the electronic item doesn’t need repair, you may consider selling it.

  • Buy Back. Some companies offer buy-back or trade-in programs, like Apple and Dell.
  • Check the Marketplace. Then there are the many used electronic marketplaces, from DeCuttr to Swappa. 

Donate

Some organizations accept electronics as donations.

  • Non-Profits. Try Goodwill or search your local non-profits.
  • Buy Nothing. There’s also Buy Nothing, where you can simply give your electronics away to someone who might need it. You might also know someone who could use an old laptop.
  • Family or Friends. Reach out to family and friends, or tap your social media networks to see if anyone could benefit from your used electronics.

Recycle

Consider recycling your old devices the proper way so they don’t end up in a landfill.

  • Local Recycling. Contact your local sanitation department for the proper way to recycle the electronic item.
  • Recycle by Mail. There are also some electronic mail-in recycling programs available.
  • Recycling Pick-Up. In some localities, there will be a curbside pick-up for used electronics that will eventually be recycled. 

Do One Thing: Before you do anything with your used electronics, make sure you wipe your data from the device. Doing so ensures that your private information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

 

The material provided on this page is for informational use only and is not intended for financial, tax or investment advice. VisionBank, PurposeBank and/or its affiliates assume no liability for any loss or damage resulting from one’s reliance on the material provided. Please also note that such material is not updated regularly and that some of the information may not therefore be current. Consult with your own financial professional and tax advisor when making decisions regarding your financial situation.

« Back

© 2025 Vision Bank of Iowa. All rights reserved.