I've been thinking about upgrading my laptop recently, but I wanted to make sure I could sell my old one without contributing to the growing e-waste problem. With 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste generated globally in 2019 alone, it's important to me to find a responsible way to go about how to sell my laptop. In this post, I'll share some tips I've learned on how to sell my laptop in an environmentally friendly way.
Assessing My Laptop's Condition and Value
The first step in my journey of how to sell my laptop was evaluating what kind of shape it was in. I had to be honest with myself – was the laptop fully functional, or did it have some issues? Were there cosmetic blemishes like scratches and dents? I knew the condition would impact the resale value.
I did some research online to get a sense of what similar make/model laptops in comparable condition were selling for. eBay and other online marketplaces gave me an idea of the going rate. I had to keep in mind that while I may have paid $1000 for my laptop a few years ago, the value depreciates over time like a car. I set my expectations accordingly.
Backing Up and Wiping My Data
Before I could proceed with my plan of how to sell my laptop, I knew it was crucial to remove all my personal data. I started by backing everything up to an external hard drive. I made sure not to forget to save important files and photos and bookmark my browser favorites.
Once I had backed everything up, I wiped the laptop's hard drive to factory settings. This ensured none of my data would remain for the next user to find. The process varies depending on whether you have a PC or Mac:
- For PCs: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and under “Reset this PC” click “Get started”. Choose “Remove everything.”
- For Macs: Restart your Mac and hold down Command+R as it boots up. This will put you into Recovery Mode. Click Disk Utility, then click the “Erase” button. After that, reinstall a clean copy of macOS.
Considering Repairing or Refurbishing
One key part of figuring out how to sell my laptop responsibly was evaluating whether it made sense to repair or refurbish it before selling. If my laptop had some fixable problems – maybe a cracked screen, a bad battery, or a malfunctioning keyboard – it could be worth paying to repair it prior to selling. I'd likely be able to command a higher price, and the laptop would go on to have a longer usable life.
I learned that some companies specialize in refurbishing laptops by fixing hardware issues, updating the operating system and software, and cleaning them up cosmetically to get them into sellable shape. Going this route often makes sense for older laptops that have depreciated in value. The refurbishing can make them attractive and functional enough to appeal to buyers looking for a budget machine.
Finding the Right Marketplace
These days there are plenty of options for how to sell my laptop online. But not all marketplaces are created equal when it comes to encouraging responsible resale and avoiding e-waste.
One option that stood out to me was Gizmogo. Their mission is to reduce e-waste by making it simple for consumers to sell their used devices. They accept laptops and other electronics in any condition – even broken or obsolete devices. Gizmogo then repairs, refurbishes, and resells what they can to keep devices in circulation and out of landfills. Any devices that can't be salvaged are responsibly recycled.
Other online selling platforms I considered included Swappa, Decluttr, and Back Market, which also focus on giving devices a second life. If I went the route of using a general marketplace like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or OfferUp to sell locally, I would consider screening buyers to ensure they plan to actually use the laptop (vs. reselling or scrapping it).
Highlighting Environmental Benefits in My Listing
As I created my for-sale listing, I made sure to appeal to environmentally conscious buyers by highlighting the green angle of buying used tech. I wanted potential buyers to know that purchasing a pre-owned laptop like mine would save it from ending up in a landfill and reduce demand for new devices that take significant energy and resources to manufacture.
I used descriptive keywords like “gently used”, “refurbished”, and “keeping e-waste out of landfills” to attract buyers looking to make an eco-friendly purchase. I hoped that buyers would feel good knowing their purchase from me would be helping the planet.
Ensuring Responsible Packaging and Shipping
Lastly, when my laptop sold, I made sure to package and ship it responsibly to minimize waste. I avoided single-use plastics like bubble wrap or styrofoam packing peanuts. Instead, I opted for recyclable or biodegradable materials like corrugated cardboard and recycled paper.
I chose an appropriately sized box as well – one that was much too big would require more packing material and take up unnecessary space in transport. Since I had kept the original box the laptop came in, that was ideal. If I hadn't, I would have tried to find a snug fitting box and avoid fillers.
The Environmental Impact of Selling Used Laptops
The importance of how to sell my laptop responsibly really can't be overstated. According to the UN, only 17.4% of e-waste generated globally was formally collected and recycled in 2019. The rest ended up in landfills, incinerators, or was illegally traded.
When e-waste isn't disposed of properly, toxic chemicals and heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can leach into the soil and groundwater. The EPA estimates 60 million metric tons of e-waste are produced each year worldwide, and the US is one of the top contributors.
But by taking steps in how to sell my laptop, I would be keeping it in circulation longer and reducing demand for new devices. Manufacturing a new laptop is an energy and resource intensive process – a study found that 70% of a laptop's carbon footprint comes from the production phase. More secondhand sales means fewer new laptops being made.
Partnering With an E-Waste Focused Company
For those looking for the easiest, most responsible way of how to sell my laptop, I recommend going through a company like Gizmogo that specializes in reducing e-waste. They've streamlined the process – you select your device on their website, ship it in for free, and then get an offer based on its condition. If you accept the offer, you get paid via check, PayPal or Venmo. If you decline, they ship it back to you free of charge.
The best part is that Gizmogo works hard to ensure every device they receive is either reused or recycled. So I could sell my laptop to them with total peace of mind that it's not going to end up as e-waste. In my opinion, selling to Gizmogo is the best way to recoup some cash for an old laptop while doing right by the environment.
The Bottom Line on How to Sell My Laptop
When upgrading to a new laptop, it's important to me to dispose of my old one responsibly. I know that learning how to sell my laptop is better than letting it collect dust or tossing it in the trash. But to really make a positive environmental impact, I'm making sure to:
- Evaluate whether repairing/refurbishing makes sense before selling
- Properly back up and wipe my data for safety and security
- Choose a selling platform focused on sustainability and reducing e-waste
- Package and ship my laptop in planet-friendly materials
- Educate buyers on the eco-benefits of purchasing used vs. new
With these steps, I can ensure my laptop enjoys a second life with a new owner and avoids a landfill fate. Selling to an e-waste-focused company like Gizmogo is one of the easiest and most responsible options for selling my laptop. Their mission is to combat the e-waste crisis by extending the life of devices and facilitating responsible recycling.