Resale electronics: Best Places to Sell Your Used Electronics for 2023

Busting the myths around second hand electronics | Opinion | Eco-Business

Opinion

Waste Management

Buying second-hand electronics is often seen as a bad bet, due to quality concerns. Teleplan International vice president, global marketing and client solutions, Sven Boddington shares ideas for a thriving second-hand electronics economy.

An assortment of cast-off electronics waste. Companies in Asian countries like Laos import discarded electronics products for processing and mining of valuable metals. Image: Shutterstock

By
Sven Boddington

4 minute read

Fortunately, there are solutions to overcome people’s misconceptions, and if Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) take the lead they can add a lucrative additional revenue stream. 

There must be something wrong with it?

The first challenge is that potential customers dismiss the purchase of a pre-owned product on suspicion that either something may be “wrong” with it (why would someone have returned it?), and why is it so cheap?

 As well as speculation as to whether the object is from an untrustworthy source, e.g. counterfeit. But most used equipment has valid reasons to be cheaper than their “new” equivalents: low acquisition costs in some cases, and zero or lower taxes/duties/levies applicable in many cases.

Are all the parts up to standard?

Another challenge with pre-owned equipment is the lack of defined performance or quality standards. This in turn creates confusion and concern from the potential buyer, as they are not clear as to what exactly they are buying and how it has been handled.

For example, customers generally don’t consider products that are made with recycled materials to be “used”. But they would consider products that contain working parts that have been salvaged from other used products to be – at least in some way – used.

This is a challenge OEMs are best positioned to address. Indeed, consumers and distribution channels tend to trust brands and are already more likely to buy OEM re-certified equipment than any other used equipment due to its quality perception.

“

By extending the useful life of a product it not only maximises value but also reduces consumption rates of the components needed to produce new electronics. In turn this helps society move towards a more circular economy. 

Is the device fit for purpose?

Additionally, before a product is deemed fit for re-use, questions should be asked of any device. These should include: does the device operate at a certain bandwidth, speed, or capacity? Does it have key functionality built in to communicate with other devices? Are consumer needs likely to change much over the next five years and so can it already cope with envisaged future demands that may be required from it? Although answers of course depend on the use case – certain requirements must be met by resellers.

To assure customers that products are still in good working order, retailers and OEM’s should work with after markets services specialists to ensure standardised procedures are in place. One such programme Teleplan is trialling is the ‘product passport’ service, which is allocated to every item and means that the parts, components, materials, and manufacturing and repair history of each device is recorded.

As a result, what can be re-used, melted down, or recycled into other products can be immediately ascertained. Or the latest updates that have been made to the product, and so the evidence that it is as good as the new versions sitting on retailers’ shelves.

The value of products that have been properly tested and verified cannot be underestimated. Additionally, offering warranty on used products provides an extra level of trust for both vendors and consumers.

Optimising the re-use or resell potential

By extending the useful life of a product it not only maximises value but also reduces consumption rates of the components needed to produce new electronics. In turn this helps society move towards a more circular economy. This means that products, components and materials are kept at the highest utility and value at all times throughout their useful lifecycle.

Beyond eliminating waste and positively impacting the environment, this also presents other organisational benefits, such as better control over commodity price fluctuations, more regular revenue streams for investors, more sustainable business practices for staff and communities, and improved brand image. This provides a real opportunity for businesses.

Another essential element in this is educating consumers on the remanufacturing process of products so as to be transparent and influence a consumer’s willingness to pay for second-hand devices. Pre-owned products will not gain credibility by standing on the back-room shelf or an obscure page of an e-store. At the right level of profit margins, there should be no obstacles in promoting pre-owned equipment alongside new.

In fact, the likes of on-line retailer, Amazon, are already promoting used items and selling a variety of refurbished products. Computer firms Dell and Lenovoalready have some schemes in place, and other smartphone manufacturers haveindicated their intention to sell second-hand smartphones in 2017. As a result, we expect developing countries to embrace the used electronics industry like the emerging markets have already.

Attitudes towards used electronics must keep changing, and as purchasing becomes more prevalent it serves as an opportunity to better control and influence product quality in a bid to preserve and even strengthen trusted brand reputations.

Especially as working with reputable companies with trusted testing and reconditioning processes are able to provide high value devices at highly competitive prices with savings that are increasingly difficult to ignore. 

Sven Boddington is vice president, Global Marketing & Client Solutions at Teleplan International. This post was written exclusively for Eco-Business.

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The Easy Way to Sell Used Electronics and Make Extra Cash

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If you’re like most Americans, you may have unused electronics gathering dust in your house. According to Decluttr, the average household has $264 worth of unwanted technology in their homes.


I was one of these households. I had recently upgraded my work laptop, replacing my 2017 MacBook Pro. I wasn’t sure what to do with the old one, but it seemed silly to have a perfectly good machine just going to waste in a drawer. So I decided to research how to make money selling used electronics and get the best price. Getting rid of stuff you don’t even want is one of the best side hustles!


Here’s what I learned about selling unwanted electronic devices for extra money — and how you can get started doing it too.

In this article

  • What kinds of used electronics can I sell?
  • Where can I sell used electronics?
  • How to sell used electronics for the best price
  • Bottom line

What kinds of used electronics can I sell?


You can turn a lot of old stuff into extra cash, including:

  • Cell phones
  • Computers
  • DVDs and Blu-rays
  • Kindles and e-readers
  • Laptops
  • Tablets
  • Video games
  • Video game systems such as a Nintendo Switch and Xbox One
  • Wearable technology such as an Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch Active


The price you’ll get for your gadgets depends on their age, brand, condition, and whether you include accessories like chargers. Apple products tend to have the best resale value. But if you have a retro video gaming console from your childhood, such as Nintendo’s N64, you can learn how to make extra cash on Mercari as N64 systems sell for $160.


In my case, a MacBook Pro is usually in high demand. Brand new models start at $1,299, so budget-conscious shoppers are always looking for gently used versions to save money.

Where can I sell used electronics?


If you have an old phone, laptop, or video game system, your biggest question is probably, “Where can I sell used electronics for the most money?” You might think of Craigslist or Ebay, but there are a lot more options out there when it comes to selling your old devices.


Here are some of the top places to sell used electronics. To help you compare sites, I used my MacBook Pro as an example and got quotes from each.

Decluttr

Pros:

  • Free insured shipping
  • Payments via direct deposit or PayPal
  • Rapid payments

Cons:

  • DeCluttr won’t return your DVDs, Blu-rays, or video games if they don’t match your description
  • You must send at least 10 media items or one tech item to qualify for a payout

DeCluttr buys laptops, smartphones, video games, textbooks, and even Legos. To sell your items, search for the make, model, and condition of your things and Decluttr will give you an instant quote. For my MacBook Pro, DeCluttr offered me $450, the highest of any resale site.


DeCluttr will give you a prepaid shipping label, which includes insurance, but you have to use your own box and shipping materials to mail your item. Once the company receives your things, the staff will review your items’ condition. If it matches the description you provided, it will issue your payment through direct deposit or PayPal. If it doesn’t match the description, the team may issue you a modified quote. You have the option of accepting the new quote or rejecting it. If you reject it, DeCluttr will send it back to you free of charge.


You must send at least one tech item — meaning laptops, smartphones, or gaming consoles — or 10 media items at once. If you submit media items like DVDs or Blu-rays and they’re rejected, DeCluttr will not return them to you so make sure you’re OK potentially losing out on those items before shipping them to the company.

Best Buy

Pros:

  • In-person trade-ins available
  • Instant payouts
  • Free shipping for online trade-ins

Cons:

  • Trade-in payouts are only made via gift card
  • Potentially lower values than other services


With Best Buy, you can trade in your computers, cameras, and smartwatches and get a Best Buy gift card to use for future purchases. If you’re planning to upgrade your device, this can be a nice way to offset the cost of a new laptop or computer. But if you’re simply looking to offload old electronics for extra cash you can use to pay your bills, having a gift card as your only payout option can be a significant drawback.


You can trade in your items online, and Best Buy will give you a free shipping label. Or you can trade in your devices in person at select store locations. If you go in person, you can get your gift card right away with an instant payout.


If you decide to mail in your item and the Best Buy team assigns your item a different buy back valuation that you were initially quoted or rejects your item, you can accept a modified quote, opt to recycle the item, or request that it’s returned to you. If you decide to have it returned to you, you’re responsible for paying shipping costs.


Although Best Buy’s trade-in program is convenient, it may offer lower valuations than other companies. I received an offer for $404 through BestBuy’s trade-in program for my MacBook Pro, which was less than DeCluttr gave me.

Facebook Marketplace

Pros:

  • Set your own price
  • Upfront cash payouts

Cons:

  • Must meet in person
  • There may be safety concerns
  • More work on behalf of the seller


If you’re willing to do a bit more work, selling your used electronics on your own can be a smart way to get more money for your items. By selling them on the Facebook Marketplace, you can charge higher prices and get paid in cash or via Venmo or PayPal right away. When you need money fast, it can be an easy way to get the cash you need.


However, selling electronics on Facebook does require more effort and can sometimes be a hassle. You have to take pictures of your items and write a thorough description. You’ll need to respond to potential buyer inquiries, negotiate on price, and meet up with the buyer to complete the transaction. The in-person aspect can be a major drawback for some people, especially if you’re concerned about personal safety, but the trade-off can be worth it for the extra money.


I decided to try listing my MacBook Pro on Facebook for $550. Within 24 hours, I had a few people interested, but only one serious buyer. She offered me $500, which I accepted. We met at a local coffee shop, and she paid me in cash. It was a relatively painless experience, and I got more money than I would have gotten if I had sold the computer on a resale site.

How to sell used electronics for the best price


To get the best trade-in value or price for your used electronics, follow these tips:

1. Get multiple quotes


Before choosing a place to sell your item and sending it in, make sure you get quotes from several different companies. As I found out, pricing can vary widely based on the brand, age of your device, and demand. In my case, quotes ranged from $293 to $450 for my MacBook Pro, so you can see why it makes sense to shop around. Otherwise, you could lose out on hundreds of dollars.

2. Compare platform fees and shipping costs


When selecting a company, consider its shipping costs and fees. Although DeCluttr and Best Buy offer free shipping and shipping insurance, not all used electronic buyers do. If you have to pay for shipping yourself, that can eat into your profits and negate the value of the sale.

3. Be descriptive


If you decide to sell your item on your own on the Facebook Marketplace, be as descriptive as possible. List all technical features as well as any scratches or defects, and include any accessories that come with your item. If your old cell phone or laptop is still under warranty, make sure you mention that, too — that’s a big selling feature.


In your listing, post several photos, including different angles, so potential buyers can see the current shape of your item. Also, be sure to show the item powered on so they can see it’s in working order.

4. Make sure you wipe the system clean


Whether you’re selling the item yourself or through a site like DeCluttr, make sure you wipe the system clean of all your personal information before you send it in. Check the manufacturer’s website for instructions and tutorials if you’re not sure how to do that.

5. Be safe


If you decide to sell your devices in-person, take extra precautions to protect yourself. Even beyond the concerns of COVID-19, meeting strangers in person is something to be cautious about when it comes to your finances and your personal safety.


Consider the following before meeting with a potential buyer:

  • Meet in a public place. Instead of meeting at your home or the buyer’s home, ask to meet in a public location, such as a coffee shop. You can also meet at SafeTrade Stations. These are local police stations designated as safe sales locations.
  • Bring a friend. If possible, ask a friend or relative to come with you. If that’s not an option, let someone know when and where you’ll be, and notify them when you’re back safely.
  • Accept only cash or electronic deposits. Don’t accept checks or cashier’s checks, as they can be easily forged or invalid. Only accept cash or electronic payments via reliable methods like PayPal or Venmo.


By learning how to sell unused electronics, you can turn your old iPhone, laptop, and video games into cash. And if you get the hang of it and even start enjoying it, you might consider learning how to resell as a side hustle so you can keep the extra cash coming in.

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Author Details

Kat Tretina

Kat Tretina is a personal finance writer and certified financial counselor based in Orlando, Florida. Dedicated to helping people build a solid financial foundation, she’s written about insurance products — including life insurance, pet insurance, and car insurance — for major publications. Her work has been published by Money.com, Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, and more.

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Idea for a business from home

I decided to start a section on the site, which I would call “Ideas for a business from home”.

Tarot of the Twin Flame

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Tarot of the Twin Flame

When I say that I have decided to start – I only understand that she can offer something new for you, my reader.

Articles that abound on the Internet (mostly in English) advise on activities that are: babysitting/elderly people, baking sweets (or decorating cakes), music lessons.

It’s not that these things are not honorable, but I always want to present things that are either not designed or curious, what can be called “more bambashka”.

One of the things I watched recently on the internet was electronics repair and specifically game consoles, and then those consoles were resold.

And I decided – this is a topic that may have been overlooked.

Low voltage electrical engineering is a part that should be known a lot.

I know that the guy who doesn’t have hal-haber electronics at all is going to be pretty hard for him if he wants to make money like this.

People who do electronics repair are very smart people. To those who are currently reading this article – I want to apologize to them, I know how difficult your profession/hobby is and I don’t want to bring it down in any way.

So, as I said, watching these videos is one of the things a person can do (other than mastering basic knowledge of physics and electronics) is to specialize in the beginning in one or two types of devices – say, consoles. And study the “molar teeth” of specific models. And work only with them. And accept that there is much to learn.

I know that many people are swearing at me right now – how can a person make money if he is just repairing some kind of game console? If he lives in the middle of the countryside, how can he earn money, given that his family is about a hundred people?

My idea (as I saw it through the video) is for a person to buy cheaper defective/damaged appliances that I can repair and then sell.

As I said, you must first acquire knowledge, then start.

What are the advantages of such a business?

The advantage is relatively low capital to start with.

Before anyone interrupts me, I’m talking nonsense and saying that if a PC repair person (let’s say) – software diagnostics/maintenance is worth ‘mother and father’.

I’m talking relatively low capital – I never said it would be completely free.

And the money you’ll be spending is tools/software/diagnostics/depends on what you think you’ll be repairing.

What do you need to get started?

  • A private room that will stay dry and warm. This room should be lightly ventilated (in case you will be working with chemicals, planters, etc.). You do not endanger your health and/or the health of your loved ones in any way.
  • Work table, counter, table that you will work on.

If you have these things, you can buy/borrow what you need to repair the appliances you choose.

These can be: a lamp with which you will light yourself, a mobile magnifying glass, a multimeter, a magnetized screwdriver with various nozzles, a seeding station, various diagnostic tools (depending on what you will be repairing), personal protective equipment such as goggles, helmet, gloves.

These are the basic things I think you will need. Each item you buy has its own price class, but I think you can probably equip everything you need for a few thousand leva (at best).

I would be glad if this article is read by people who are de facto involved in this type of business. What do you think will be needed for a newbie?

Cons of this type of business

This type of business is not for people who do not want to develop. If you are not ready to be interested, to read a lot – I think that this endeavor is not for you.

I think at least an initial level of reading/comprehension in English is also necessary – a basic, easy source to buy defective appliances over the Internet.

For Bulgaria – it will be easiest to buy from a site that is based within the EU. This way you won’t risk your purchase being held in customs (as advertised for more than $15).

Like any type of business, this type of jambazlak has its hidden risks.

One of them is that you have to be very careful what you buy. In the videos I’ve watched from people who deal with this, they warn that sometimes things that are beyond repair are sold.

In Western Europe (and not only) people from the same industry (and workshops) put everything on the market – often what they themselves could not fix.

For a person who barely goes into the craft, this can be devastating. It’s one thing to establish yourself, to “roll the money” as they say, so you can afford to keep the console, let’s say you can’t just go for parts, it’s one thing to be a newbie who, for financial reasons, has to be absolutely every piece of gear he makes to be able to turn it into a working one.

For this – my advice is to read and be interested quite a lot before getting into this type of business.

At least – if you like it, then you can start working in a car service, if possible.

I started – now what is

And I’m not Wang – when searching for information on this subject, I could not see any specific requirements that relate to the repair of electrical appliances. This does not mean that somewhere out there, dressed in law, they do not exist. You can take a look at yourself.

In this type of business – due to its specifics (defective devices and spare parts for them must be purchased), it is economically economically economically economically profitable from a tax point of view to do it under the “hat” of the company.

But before you do that – in my opinion it’s not a bad idea to explain to the accountant / tax expert how you plan to do things in practice – how you will buy things from the network (from which site, what documents you can get to buy it), how you will understand them (say, by courier), you will need a cash register, etc.

But if you want to be documented – then I know that in my opinion the bureaucratic side of things will cost you about BGN 3000 “per year (let’s say you ins provide as a manager of your company doing personal work). About this – in consultation with an accounting expert – then ask and mention everything. Let’s put it this way – if you are a person who has a disability and is certified through TELC, then you are eligible for a reduction in the tax base. About this – discuss how it would be better to start your activity.

If you decide to work through a company, it can be created for a fixed period (not for an indefinite period). And in his “statutes” to learn that the share is not inherited. If you cannot earn in this way, you can always “freeze” the activity. If the company is not registered for VAT, you only have one declaration once a year that it has no activity.

All of these aspects can be discussed with an accounting expert or lawyer. One consultation in most cases is about one hundred leva.

Before apostrophizing me that the state does nothing for you, I have no right to encourage you to break the rules.

If you want to realize your activity, then it has its own risks.

Final Thoughts

I think this type of business is not bad for people who want to start something of their own or want to work something extra in their free time.

As I said, unlike traditional workshops where the customer comes in with a defective appliance and pays to repair it, you will be able to “reach out” with the repair of what you have purchased.

And you will take the risk (it can’t be fixed) until you sell it (deal with scammers, impulsive buyers, time out, etc. ).

Relatively low initial capital requirements (for tools, goods, spare parts) make it affordable for people who don’t have a lot of money.

If you liked the article, start searching the Internet for more information. And let’s see if you can handle it.

I would be glad if people who are engaged in such activities would be involved in this topic. Please share how you reduce risks, how you work when it comes to taxes and social security (declaration, payment). Your opinion will be invaluable.

How tech bloggers and companies dispose of technology

There are more and more gadgets, and they are losing relevance faster and faster. There is a certain device for almost every activity in the house: one will make coffee, the other will roast sandwiches or make smoothies. But what to do with all this equipment if it breaks down, fails, or is simply no longer needed?

Learned from tech bloggers from YouTube channels Big Geek, Shelest, StupidMadWorld, Spline and IT media representatives Tproger and Market. CNews how they usually get rid of technology. They also told how Selectel approaches the processing of server components and equipment, and gave recommendations for convenient disposal.

Why do this at all?

Let’s immediately determine why a trash can and a landfill are not the best option for any equipment: from wires to a home PC.

  1. Most electronics or electronic scrap contains substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, PVC, etc. All these are dangerous chemical compounds that will poison nature if they end up in a landfill along with organic waste.
  2. Old technology – whether it’s a smartphone or a juicer – contains useful materials that are difficult to extract and produce. Platinum, nickel, lithium, tin, etc. – all this can be reused, melted down for other things.
  3. Finally, it is simply prohibited by the law, which came into force on March 1, 2022. According to him, it is impossible to throw any electronics into MSW containers. For legal entities, the ban has existed for a long time, but they thought about “physicists” only this year.

What can be done with electric scrap or unnecessary appliances

Everything that once consumed or accumulated electricity can be classified as electric scrap:

  • household appliances – refrigerators, microwave ovens, toasters, etc.,
  • computer equipment – laptops, monitors, video cards, servers, etc.;

Each of these devices can have a second life, and there are several ways to reincarnate.

Repair

Let’s start with the most environmentally friendly thing that can be done with equipment that has broken down – repair it or take it to a service center.

Self-repair of equipment often ends at the level of simple consumer electronics. Anything above requires specific tools and skills. So, the product manager of Tproger Mikhail Sysoev is limited to repairing a mouse or kettle. And something more serious goes for sale or analysis for components.

A more thorough approach Maxim Yakimenko , video blogger, creator of the StupidMadWorld channel.

“I brought tablets back to life that had firmware issues. Followed the instructions on the forums. As a rule, flashing solved everything, but there was a case when I had to open the cover and close the contacts on the motherboard “, he says.

Do-it-yourself repair is not always an easy task, but it allows you to save on a service center and even enjoy the process, says Max Lukin , tech blogger of the Spline channel. It is enough to have basic knowledge about the operation of the control board and soldering iron. In general, with this knowledge, the blogger has more than once “revived” equipment – for example, an old laptop or a PC filled with cola.

You probably already thought that modern technology is too complicated to repair by hand, and that manufacturers of modern gadgets are not very ready for Crazy Hands. The director of the IT marketplace Market.Cnews 9 would agree with you0027 Yuriy Khomutsky :

“Today it is much easier to send equipment for repair. For self-repair, you need to read a lot of articles, watch a lot of videos. Manufacturers are also actively preventing this, and by barbaric methods. A recent example is the punctured wheel of an electric scooter. It would seem that replacing the camera is not difficult, but Xiaomi installed pentagon screws with non-standard threads that cannot be unscrewed with a regular screwdriver or replaced with a hex screw. The market is focused on the forced abandonment of home repairs and the transition to service centers.

Fair thought: indeed, not every company now provides an opportunity to repair your device. The necessary spare parts are not produced, and user manuals are an initiative of enthusiasts, which is far from the official documentation of the company.

Here, however, there are changes – the well-known movement for the “right to repair” affects more and more foreign companies. They begin to support the release of spare parts for 5-10 years and, in general, make gadgets more accessible to users’ screwdrivers.

DIY repair parts for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M1 chip. Source

Blogger Big Gik Zheka Senin is sure that if you bought a gadget, you have the right to do whatever your heart desires with it – with any original and non-original spare parts. “The brand or seller has the right to remove the device from the warranty, but make it non-working due to” unauthorized replacement “- pure greed” , he says.

Resale

Used, but still briskly working gadget can be resold – displayed on Avito, Yulia, DaruDar website or taken to a local flea market. Charitable organizations may need some types of equipment – for example, Nochlezhka needs mobile phones with chargers.

You can successfully sell just the equipment that is difficult to repair on your own – tablets, laptops, smartphones. On the same “Avito” you can find hundreds of people who buy electronics for a variety of purposes. Someone restores and sells more expensive or uses it himself, while someone dismantles it for spare parts – uses it in a new assembly or sells it for precious metals.

Resale at Avito can be a way out for those who do not have the opportunity to properly dispose of electrical equipment in the city. This is not uncommon if a person lives farther from large agglomerate cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. It happens that there are no recycling points at all, like Maxim Yakimenko.

“Unfortunately, in Kazakhstan, everything is very sad with the disposal – there are no or very few enterprises that process electrosmelt. So I deal with old technology in two ways. Everything that works, I can sell through bulletin boards or friends. And what has become unusable and cannot be repaired, I carry to the nearest shopping center, where there are special bins for collecting batteries. I leave them in them, but the further fate of such devices is unknown to me “, – says the video blogger.

Spline blogger Max Lukin has the same story: there are no special points for recycling electric scrap in his city. He sells working equipment at Avito or gives it away for spare parts. The latter is not the same as recycling, because only useful parts are taken from the device, and the rest can join the garbage.

Mikhail Sysoev from Tproger also went the Avito route:

“I try to sell everything I can on Avito. If some thing is not sold in 2-3 months, then it gathers dust for another six months, and then moves to her parents to try to bring the device back to life.

By the way, it is environmentally friendly not only to sell or give away unwanted equipment, but also to buy used devices. Often you can find a properly functioning gadget without obvious signs of use. This, of course, deprives the moment of unpacking the newly acquired equipment, but it allows you to save money and “repel” a little the amount of harm from one gadget.

The technological popularizers we interviewed do not shun buying technology from their hands. Almost everyone has had some sort of used experience.

“I bought laptops, iPads, computers, and phones. The experience is as positive as possible – everything has been working for several years. Such equipment has very little technical wear and tear. The biggest risk when buying is scammers. But you can’t fall for their bait if you understand what you are buying and how to check the equipment for performance” , says Mikhail Sysoev.

Yury Khomutsky from Market.CNews shared his rule: if he is looking for equipment from hand, then only with a receipt, when the device is under warranty. This relieves him of most of the risks.

Disposal

Disposal is by far the easiest method discussed. There are a lot of companies that offer free recycling services for equipment – you can “google” such an organization in any more or less large settlement.

Why so many? It’s simple: against the backdrop of a shortage of components and rare earth materials from which devices are made, the disposal of equipment is becoming not just an environmentally friendly, but an economically profitable procedure. That’s why your refrigerator and laptop are ready to be picked up for free, and large electrical networks give various “goodies” if you bring them your seventh iPhone, breathing its last.

What will come out of your washing machine. Source

It is interesting that the disposal and delivery of equipment for recycling is not the most popular practice among the bloggers and authors we interviewed. Some of them do not have the opportunity to rent equipment, some prefer to sell it to Avito.

Unanimous attitude towards batteries and accumulators. Most people try to discard batteries as much as possible and recycle them. The video blogger of the Shelest channel has already accumulated 5 kg of used batteries and is looking for a suitable collection point in Kotelniki. Others are gradually switching to batteries, although they, according to Yuri Khomutsky from Market.CNews, are already out of fashion:

“Now most of the functions are performed from my phone and laptop, and batteries are needed only for the TV remote control, which I turn on at most once a year. I’m more likely not for batteries, but for equipping all devices, including the same TV remotes, with a USB port for recharging.”

The hardest thing about recycling is finding the nearest place and time to take the equipment. Unfortunately, you can hardly find a collection point for equipment right in the yard. These are not batteries, which are now available even in grocery stores.

Be that as it may, there is a lot of information about the places where vehicles are collected. Residents of the two capitals are especially lucky – they have more convenient alternatives, which we will list below. Collection points in the regions can be searched on the Recyclemap and in the Zero waste guide.

In St. Petersburg

For those who don’t want to go anywhere:

  • Ecotaxi. They will take office equipment, wires, cables, power tools, blenders, electric toothbrushes, hard drives, mice, keyboards.
  • Vsevyazim. Free of charge pick up and send for processing large equipment – refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, etc. .
  • “Buy used”. Buy and engage in the disposal of large-sized equipment.

For those who plan to shop in the shopping center:

  • “Rules of division” in the shopping center “MEGA” on Dybenko and Parnas – they accept office equipment and household appliances.
  • shopping center “Ohta Mall” – you can rent small household and office equipment.
  • M.Video and Eldorado stores.
  • Tele2 communication stores – accept mobile phones for recycling.

More places for the delivery of equipment in St. Petersburg – on the website of the environmental movement “Separate Collection”.

In Moscow

For those who do not want to go anywhere:

  • “Assembly” – eco-taxi,
  • “Sobirator” – there is a reception point near the Kantemirovskaya metro station and an eco-mobile.

For those who plan shopping in the shopping center:

  • M.Video and Eldorado stores.
  • Leroy Merlin accepts broken small electronics, electrical engineering and power tools for recycling (shops in Troitsk, Yudino, Kosino, Kotelniki). Reception is conducted in the service area by employees.
  • Tele2 stores – see the reception addresses on the map.

More places for the delivery of equipment in Moscow and the Moscow region – on the website of the environmental movement “Separate Collection”.

And what companies do: Selectel experience

Infrastructure providers with their own data centers and a large team of employees use a large number of equipment that breaks down or becomes obsolete:

  • Data centers are serviced by a large number of equipment: these are air conditioners, uninterruptible power supplies, as well as other large and small equipment for operating the data center.
  • In addition to infrastructure piping, there are servers and components for them (disks, video cards, motherboards, etc.), cables and similar IaaS components.
  • The company also has employees (more than 700 in Selectel). Everyone gets working equipment – from a laptop and an additional monitor to a headset and a wireless mouse.

All this somehow becomes obsolete or becomes unusable. Selectel’s machinery and equipment gets a second life in all three ways: we recycle, resell, and repair.

Reselling

This is not a routine practice, but rather a situational one. For example, we sold end-of-life static uninterruptible power supplies. We are replacing them with a more environmentally friendly alternative – dynamic UPS. Such equipment lasts longer and does not include batteries.

Earlier we wrote how we put dynamic UPSs into operation →

Also on sale are serviceable hard drives that have served their time, outdated server configurations, cable products. This technique is bought by employees or third-party interested parties. Before that, we carefully overwrite all the data on the equipment, and we officially carry out all sales through the accounting department. Disks from the servers of the Certified Data Center segment are not resold – they are immediately recycled.

In addition, Selectel has a practice of selling outdated work laptops to employees. If the PC can no longer maintain sufficient performance for comfortable work, one of the colleagues can buy it out.

Repair

Anything that can be repaired, we repair. Employees of the IT office restore and maintain the quality of work laptops. The guys from the assembly department repair server components if they need to be repaired. If not, we accumulate components of the same type and try to exchange them for new ones from the supplier.

Recycling

Anything that cannot be repaired or handed over to a new owner goes to Recycling . Here Selectel cooperates with several licensed companies that specialize in recycling equipment. Faulty hard drives (after the destruction of the insides in a special “black box”) and other server components, as well as ethylene glycol from cooling systems, go to the scrap. Cable products are sent to non-ferrous metals, and optics are recycled.