6 Tech Items to Declutter ASAP

Remember that gadget TikTok made you buy two years ago? Did you even bother to take it out of the box? Or what about those random wires that go to who-knows-what? While many of us declutter our closets and pantries regularly, we often forget to toss things we rarely touch. Here’s your chance to finally let go of these tech items, guilt free.

Anything With Broken or Missing Parts

Be honest—you probably aren’t going to repair that old tablet with a cracked screen. The same for that e-reader with no charger and those random wires in a box you haven’t opened for years. If you aren’t going to use it, just get rid of it.  

DVD, Blu-ray and VHS Players

Unless you’re an avid collector, there’s absolutely no point in keeping your old DVD or Blu-ray player. If you can’t remember the last time you turned it on (or where the remote is), it’s time to toss it. The same goes for that stack of DVDs collecting dust in your closet or basement. Don’t worry—you’ll still be able to watch Election every time there’s a thunderstorm on your favorite streaming service.

If you’ve been holding onto an old VHS player because how else are you going to watch your parents’ wedding video—you can send these tapes off to a digitizing service. 

Lone Ear Buds

Much like socks, lone earbuds rarely find their mate. If you’ve searched high and low for your other bud—it’s time to give up hope. Treat yourself to something new.

Your Old Smart (or Dumb) Phone

While it’s always a good idea to keep an older phone as a backup in case you lose or damage your current phone—you definitely don’t need that 3G phone that seemed really fast at the time. Remember Blackberries? You never use these dated tech items again. 

Instead of throwing out your phone, you may be able to donate it to a local domestic violence shelter or recycle it through Apple or another provider. Just be sure to wipe your data before donating. 

Obsolete Computers and Laptops

Much like old phones, it’s nice to have a backup, but do you really need three laptops or larger desktop models you aren’t using anymore? Back up your data onto the cloud (if it’s really old, it may not even be relevant anymore) and wipe your computer. 

Just keep in mind you can’t dispose of old electronics with the rest of your garbage because computers have components that should not be in landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a list of places to donate or properly dispose of older machines. 

Beauty Gadgets You Don’t Use

We all have old beauty buys gone awry. Do you still have a Clarisonic? If you haven’t heard, the brand shut down in 2020. How many times did you use that blue light wand to get rid of acne? When it comes to beauty gadgets, it’s best to take the “use it or lose it” approach. We often keep these things under the sink, in the bathroom, or linen closet, which is some pretty valuable real estate.