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Uuugghhhh.
You know that feeling. When you’re in the middle of decluttering and making lots of progress and then you come across an item that you don’t need or want. But, then all of sudden, it gets confusing. What is the next step? What do I do with this? Where does it go? Questions, questions, questions.
I came across this exact scenario recently with a client. We’re working in her garage, she’s decluttering and parting with so much stuff it’s fantastic. Cue that movie screeching halt sound. All movement stops. It’s the dreaded old laptop. Not one MacBook, but three.
“What do I do with my old laptops?”
Not the one you use every day. The ones tucked away in a closet because they still have old family photos, tax returns, passwords, or years of personal information on them. (These we found in the garage. Anyone relate?)
If you’ve been hanging onto old computers because you aren’t sure how to safely get rid of them, you’re definitely not alone. It does happen more than you’d think and is one of many reasons clutter can and does build up.
It’s because we don’t know where they’re supposed to go next. And we don’t know how to get our private information removed safely.
So, today I thought I’d save you some research and share the best options I’ve found.
My #1 Recommendation: Best Buy + Geek Squad
For most people, this is the option I’d recommend first.
If you still need information from your laptop and aren’t tech savvy, start by scheduling an appointment with Geek Squad.
They can help transfer your files to another computer or external hard drive and discuss securely wiping your hard drive clean before you recycle it.
Once your data has been safely removed, you can recycle your laptop at the same Best Buy store.
Why I like this option:
✔ One-stop solution
✔ Great if you’re not tech-savvy
✔ Free laptop recycling (up to five laptops per household, per day)
If you simply want the easiest, most-cost effective, safest option, this is probably it. Plus, who doesn’t like looking at all the new tech and home appliances!!! Free air conditioning in the summer. Lol.
Support a Social Change: Homeboy Electronics Recycling
If supporting social impact is important to you and you know the basics of wiping your hard drive, take a look at Homeboy Electronics Recycling.
Homeboy Industries provides career opportunities, education, and job training for individuals who have experienced incarceration or previous gang involvement.
For $14.99 (as of July 2026), they’ll provide a mail-in recycling kit, making it easy to recycle from home. Or if you live in Los Angeles and are in the city, you can drop off for free.
For an additional fee, they’ll certify that your hard drive has been securely wiped and that your laptop was responsibly recycled—not simply shipped overseas.
If your laptop still contains files you need, I’d recommend retrieving those first before mailing it in.
I love this option because your decluttering project also helps create second chances for someone else.
Donate It Through Human-I-T
You can also consider donating it instead. I personally have dropped off and mailed in laptops to this organization. I love them!
Human-I-T securely wipes donated devices, refurbishes them, and distributes them to children, families, veterans, and adults who otherwise wouldn’t have access to technology.
One feature I especially appreciate is that you can request a serialized data wipe report for additional peace of mind.
Your old laptop could become someone else’s opportunity. Which is so cool. To know your technology stayed out of the landfill + helped another human have access to phones and laptops we take for granted and use everyday.
Mac Owners: You Have Even More Options
If you’re an Apple user, here are a few additional resources worth checking out.
Apple Trade In
Planning to upgrade your Mac? Before recycling it, visit Apple Trade In. Depending on your device’s age and condition, Apple may offer trade-in credit toward a new Apple product or an Apple Gift Card. If your Mac isn’t eligible for credit, Apple will still recycle it “responsibly” at no cost.
Sell Your Mac
If your Mac still has value and you’d rather earn a little money, SellYourMac.com provides online quotes and prepaid shipping labels for qualifying Apple devices. It’s a great option for newer Macs that are still in good working condition.
Before You Sell, Donate, or Recycle…
No matter which option you choose, protecting your personal information should always come first. So, even if the company says they wipe the hard drive, I’d do it yourself or have the Geek Squad do it first. Just to err on the side of caution.
Apple has an excellent checklist that walks you through:
• Backing up your files
• Signing out of iCloud, iMessage, and Find My
• Erasing your Mac
• Restoring it to factory settings
Think of it as the digital version of decluttering your home—you want to remove everything personal before passing it along to its next owner.
Why This Matters
One thing I’ve learned after organizing many homes is this:
People usually don’t keep things because they love the clutter and are trying to have a messy home. (If they do, I’d recommend we chat about therapy or a relationship coach because something deeper is going on.)
They keep things because they don’t know where something should go—whether they’re keeping the item or decluttering it. They don’t know the next right step.
Once we know the next step…The decision becomes much easier!
Whether it’s old laptops, batteries, paint, prescription medications, or sentimental keepsakes, part of my job is helping clients answer one simple question:
“Where does this go?”
And once we know the answer…the clutter can continue moving its way right out the front door.
Your Beauty & Grace Challenge This Week:
If you have an old laptop collecting dust in a closet, garage, or home office, take ten minutes this week to decide which option feels right for you.
You don’t have to finish the entire project. Just decide on the next step. Write it on a post it note and put that note on the laptop. Small decisions create big momentum.
Reply and tell me about it! Did you find your old laptop? What did you do with it? While I can’t reply to everyone, I read every response, and I love hearing from you.
Speaking of Technology…
I’m attending an AI implementation workshop next week with an influencer I really enjoy following, Mya Nichol. I’m super curious to learn and see if AI, specifically Claude, can really take over some of my business and household tasks. I’m skeptical and I have no idea if all these influencers and online gurus are telling the truth or being paid by the AI companies, but for $100 I thought I’d see if the actual implementation of AI into my life is helpful and really will save me time. Because I’ve got big dreams, the cutest little toddler, and a handsome husband that I don’t want to miss any more time than I have to with them if AI can really work.
Here’s the pitch: “From trading hours for dollars → to getting 5+ hours a week back AND $100–$500 back in your pocket every month, because AI is finally doing the heavy lifting across your life, your backend, and your clients. This is the version of your business where AI is the employee you never have to manage and you’re the one who logged off at 2pm with zero guilt while it kept working. We’re not just stacking income here. We’re stacking memories too!”
Join me? It’s LIVE and I’m oh so curious.
Dive in here:
P.S. This Month in Organizing
The Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond Are Teaming Up
One of the biggest stories in the organizing world the last few months is the launch of The Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond retail concept.
Rather than reopening traditional Bed Bath & Beyond stores, the company is bringing Bed Bath & Beyond products into The Container Store, creating a one-stop destination for organization, storage, and home essentials.
As someone who has spent more hours than I’d like to admit wandering the aisles of The Container Store (occupational hazard!), I’m excited and cautiously optimistic to see how this evolves. My hope is they’ll keep the organizing expertise and beautiful storage solutions we’ve all come to love while expanding the selection of everyday home products + offer more affordability.
I also sent them an email (they asked for feedback) asking them to make it easier for us local organizers to become affiliates. We’ll see if they do that!
If I visit one of the updated stores soon, I’ll be sure to report back!
P.S.S. Some of the links I share are affiliate links. That means if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
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