The 15 Best Ways to Recycle Computer Parts for Money
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Do you have old electronic devices lying around your home? You might not realize that even if these don't work, old electronic scrap can be turned into cash via buy-back and trade-in programs or by turning them into something useful. This article will delve into more detail on ways to recycle computer parts for money.
Some large electronics companies will buy back old devices and use parts to refurbish other electronic equipment. And some companies are on a green mission and work to keep electronic scraps out of landfills.
So, before you throw your old computer into the trash, read on for tips on recycling e-waste and how you can make a little money doing it.
Contents
Best Ways to Recycle Computer Parts for Money
Whether you have an old laptop or desktop computer, old cell phones, video game consoles, or any other old electronics you don't use anymore, take a look at the following ideas on how these can be passed on for profit.
Websites to Recycle Computer Parts for Money
Take a look at the best websites to recycle computer parts and old electronics for money (and if you want to get in on the action, check out these recycling company name ideas).
1. Gizmogo
Gizmogo is a company on a mission to reduce e-waste by purchasing both new and used electronics.
They buy a range of working and non-working electronic devices, including phones, laptops, tablets, Macs, drones, smartwatches, and more.
To sell your own old computers and electronic devices, you need to:
- Select your device
- Answer questions about its condition
- Receive a free quote
- Accept the offer
- Wait for a pre-paid shipping label and box
- Ship your device
- Gizmogo will evaluate your device
- Get paid
You can choose to receive payment in a variety of ways, such as bank transfer, check, PayPal, a charity donation, or an Amazon gift card.
2. GreenBuyBack
GreenBuyBack is another one of the best places for recycling electronics and getting cash in the process.
It accepts a wide variety of old devices, such as:
- iPhones
- iPads
- Laptops
- Headphones
- Smartwatches
- Gaming consoles
- iPods
- Tablets
- Cell phones
- Home automation equipment
- Cameras and video cameras
Plus, if you don't see your electronic device listed on the website, you can request a custom quote.
To recycle your item, click on the electronic device on the homepage and head to the trade-in page. You'll be prompted to select the model and condition of your item to receive an instant quote.
If this sounds good to you, click accept, and GreenBuyBack will send you a prepaid shipping label so you can post your device to them.
Once they receive your item and confirm it's in the condition you stated, you'll receive payment usually within 24 hours.
3. SellBroke
SellBroke is a platform where you can trade in old computers and other electronics for cash.
It accepts a range of items such as laptops, desktop computers, drones, iPhones, gaming consoles, and more.
To get started, simply search for your device on the website, give details about its condition, and wait to receive a free quote.
If you accept the offer, they'll email you a shipping label and packing slip. After they receive your device, it'll be checked over to ensure it matches what you told them, and if they're happy, your money will be released to your chosen payment gateway.
4. ItsWorthMore
ItsWorthMore is a platform where you can trade in your old electronics for cash.
According to their website, they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), have an elite rating with resellerratings.com, and offer higher than their closer competitors.
To check this out, you could list the same item with this company and a few of the others mentioned in this post to see if what they say is true.
They also accept a large range of devices, including phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, smart watches, games consoles, cameras, drones, and headphones.
To get an instant quote, select your item and fill out details about its condition. If you accept the quote, you'll be sent a prepaid shipping label, and your cash will be transferred to you once they receive the item.
5. Decluttr
Decluttr is a popular website where you can buy refurbished tech and trade in old tech you don't use anymore for money.
They mainly want working devices but will accept certain non-working devices depending on their brand and condition.
A few items you can recycle for extra cash on Decluttr include:
- Phones
- CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays
- Apple products
- Gaming consoles
Search for your device on their website, give details about its condition, and you'll receive an instant quote.
If you accept the offer, you'll receive an email with a welcome pack containing your free shipping label, which you can print off, attach to your item and send off for delivery.
After your item is received, checked off, and processed, you'll receive payment the next day via bank deposit, PayPal, or a charity donation.
6. EcoATM
EcoATM is on a mission to reduce electronic waste by helping people sell their old phones for cash.
They have over 5,000 EcoATM kiosks across the US where you can recycle your old phones and tablets. To help find your nearest one, you can download their app or search via their website by clicking your state on the locations page.
Follow these steps to sell with EcoATM:
- See what your phone is worth by clicking on the ''Get an Estimate'' tab
- Prepare your phone for sale by removing any personal info and factory resetting your phone
- Find your nearest EcoATM and follow the trade-in process to receive your payment
7. Apple Trade In
At Apple Trade In you can receive credit for your old device and put that towards a new one.
You can do this online or at your nearest Apple Store, and if your old device isn't eligible for credit, they'll recycle the item for you for free.
If you're not ready to buy a new Apple product at the time of trade-in, you can choose to receive an Apple gift card that can be used at a later date.
8. CJ Environmental
CJ Environmental, also known as Recycle In Me, is one of North America's most prominent precious metal recycling corporations.
They deal with all types of electronic scrap, including hard drives, motherboards, Telcomm board scrap, old cell phones, circuit boards, and more.
Their aim is to solve e-waste problems by connecting sellers and buyers through electronic recycling programs.
To sell your devices on this platform, click on ''Post Sell Offer'' and follow the instructions. You can also browse ''Buy Offers'' to see what people are looking for.
9. Cash for Electronic Scrap USA
Cash for Electronic Scrap USA is a company that buys high volumes of IT equipment and electronic scrap from schools and businesses.
Their main services offered are computer/IT liquidation and data destruction that they aim to perform in an environmentally responsible way, keeping as much out of the landfill as possible.
So, if you have a bulk load of electronic scrap to get rid of, such as used computers, hard drives, smartphones, laptops, LCD monitors, and desktops, you can schedule a free pickup and receive cash for what you don't use anymore.
10. Dell Trade-In Program
Dell Trade-In offers its own recycling program where you can turn your old devices in for credit or a new device.
All you need to do is answer a few questions about your old device to determine its value, erase your data, and send it in via your nearest FedEx office.
They accept a range of items such as old computers, laptop computers, phones, monitors, gaming consoles, cameras, media players, and more.
After your item has been received and inspected, you'll be compensated in Virtual Visa Rewards, which can be used to purchase new electronics on the Dell website.
11. Best Buy Trade-In Program
Best Buy is another company that has its own trade-in program accepting a range of devices such as iPhones, PC laptops, Apple Notebooks, headphones, gaming hardware, smartwatches, and more.
To earn money for your old PC and other electronics, you need to find your item on their website and answer questions about its condition.
Once you receive an instant quote, you can take your device to your nearest Best Buy store. You can also mail your item in by filling in your shipping information, which will trigger a pre-paid shipping label to be sent to you.
Creative Ways to Recycle Computer Parts for Money
Take a look at these different ways to recycle computer parts for money.
12. Sell Individual Parts to Electronic Scrap Yards
Just like scrap dealers who pay for old cars, metal, and other types of recyclable items, some people make money by recycling electronic scrap.
Do a quick Google search for ''electronic scrap yards nearby'', and a few should come up. And have a search through their website to see if they pay for old electronics.
While every scrap yard will vary, a few items they may buy include:
- Laptops
- PC computers
- Printers
- Cell phones
- Hard drives
- Processors
- CPU towers
- Motherboards
Talk with your local electronic scrap dealer and agree on a price for your items. And don't be afraid to ask around at a few different dealers to make sure you're getting the best final price.
13. Build a New Computer with Old Parts
Are you constantly tinkering with your old electronics? If you have the skill, you could turn this hobby into extra cash by building or refurbishing old computers and other electronic devices.
For example, a computer that's stopped working may only have one broken part.
If you can find out what this is and replace it, you could sell it on again as a refurbished or used item.
Just make sure you're upfront and honest with new buyers. Always give detail of how old the computer is and what part you refurbished in case a customer questions something later.
14. Rent Out Your Old Electronics
It's possible to rent out your unused electronic items and make a decent amount of side hustle income.
A few items that people look to rent out include electronics, film and photography equipment, drones, electric scooters, cameras, projectors, DJ equipment and more.
Check out these websites to rent out your old electronic items:
Drones rent out on Fat Llama for around $19 a day, and speakers up to $80 a day, so you can see it's possible to make a decent amount of cash renting electronics.
Get inspiration: How Kyle Clements is growing his rental software startup by 100% each year.
15. Make Custom Sculptures or Artwork
If building new computers is out of your skill range, another way to recycle computer parts for money is to create custom artwork and sculptures with the leftover parts.
You can repurpose keyboards, hard drives, circuit boards, phones and many more scrap items and turn them into striking and unusual art pieces.
Art collectors and tech enthusiasts will be interested in purchasing these and will pay handsomely for custom sculptures that are a little ''out there''.
Take a look at these electronic sculptures on Etsy for a little inspiration.
Once you've created your pieces, they can be sold at local craft markets and online via popular sites such as Facebook Marketplace and Etsy.
Create your electronics-inspired store on Etsy today for free.
Recycle Computer Parts for Money - Conclusion
As you can see, there are many places to recycle computer parts for money, and it's possible to earn a decent amount of extra cash.
Just remember to do your research and get multiple quotes to help you find the best offer for your electronic goods.
One place to get extra info if you're selling an old phone is Flipsy, which is a comparison website that'll show you the best payout you're likely to get and multiple options for selling it.
And, if you can't find anyone to buy your old electronic devices, help the planet by donating them to an electronic waste recycling program.
Find your nearest one at Earth911 or the EPA electronics and device recycling page.
Want more ideas for selling online? Check out what equipment to buy to make money.
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