The holidays are peak season for new gadgets. Between gifts and year-end deals, plenty of households will end up with an old phone, laptop, tablet or game console that has just been replaced. Too often, those devices go into a drawer, or worse, the trash.

Electronics contain valuable materials that can be recovered, and some components shouldn’t go to a landfill at all. Here are eight practical ways to handle old devices the greener way.

1. Back up and wipe it first

Before your device goes anywhere, protect your data:

  • Back up photos, files and contacts.
  • Sign out of your accounts and turn off any device-tracking features tied to your account.
  • Do a full factory reset using the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Remove SIM cards and memory cards.

A properly wiped device is far more likely to be reused, because it can go straight to a new owner.

2. Keep it in the family

The greenest device is the one that keeps working. An older phone can become a kid’s first device, a dedicated music player, a video-call screen for a grandparent or a smart home controller. An old laptop can become a homework computer.

3. Trade it in

Many phone makers, carriers and electronics retailers run trade-in programs. You may get store credit toward your new device, and the old one is refurbished or responsibly recycled. Compare offers and read the condition requirements before you ship anything.

4. Donate working devices

Schools, libraries, community centers and nonprofits sometimes accept working laptops, tablets and phones, especially to help people who can’t afford their own. Call ahead to ask what they accept and whether they need chargers included.

5. Sell it secondhand

If the device is in good shape, selling it locally or online gives it a second life. Be honest about the condition, meet in a safe public place for local sales and only hand it over after it’s wiped.

6. Repair before you replace

If you haven’t bought the replacement yet, check whether a repair would do the job. A new battery or screen can add years to a phone or laptop for far less than the cost of a new device and with a much smaller footprint.

7. Recycle the rest the right way

Broken or very old devices should go to a certified electronics recycler, not the trash. Many cities and counties host e-waste collection days or have drop-off sites, and some electronics retailers accept items for recycling. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency has guidance on electronics donation and recycling, and recyclers certified under standards such as R2 or e-Stewards follow stricter handling rules.

8. Handle batteries with care

Lithium-ion batteries in phones, laptops, vapes and power banks can catch fire if they’re crushed in garbage trucks or recycling facilities. Never put them in your household trash or curbside recycling bin unless your local program specifically says it’s allowed. Tape over the terminals of loose batteries and take them to a designated battery drop-off.

Don’t forget the accessories

Old chargers, cables, earbuds and cases pile up fast. Keep one or two spares that actually fit your devices and recycle or donate the rest through the same e-waste programs.

Make it a habit

Set up a small “outgoing electronics” box in a closet. When something is replaced, wipe it, label it and add it to the box. A couple of times a year, take the box to a trade-in, donation or recycling drop-off. It turns an annoying chore into a simple routine.

The bottom line

A new gadget doesn’t have to mean another one lost in a drawer or tossed in the trash. Wipe it, reuse it, trade it in, donate it or recycle it properly, and handle batteries with care. Your old device can keep doing good long after you’ve upgraded.

Image: Electronic Waste (E-Waste) by Alabama Extension via Flickr, CC0 1.0