Electronics often overlooked in spring cleaning – old devices should not be left at the back of a drawer

Each year, spring cleaning of closets and storage spaces reveals the same phenomenon. Households have accumulated unused electronic devices that have not been cleared of data or properly recycled. According to the expert, the worst option is to leave devices lying unused in a cupboard.

“Old mobile devices are often perceived as harmless, but in reality they can cause problems if the data stored on them has not been removed and they have not been recycled correctly. Deciding what to do with old devices only takes a moment, but in addition to improving security it can also have financial value for the owner,” Kieksi says.

In particular, smartphones and tablets may still contain sensitive personal information such as photos, messages, emails and login credentials, even if the device has not been used for a long time.

“Devices may contain content and apps that open directly without the need for separate login. For this reason alone, storing devices in a cupboard is the worst possible option from a data security perspective,” Kieksi emphasizes.

Batteries in devices that have been left unused for long periods may also deteriorate or fail, making it impossible to power up the device and potentially causing permanent data loss. In addition, outdated batteries can, in the worst case, pose a fire safety risk.

“Keeping devices solely for the data they contain is never a good idea. Old batteries do not last forever, even when unused, and as a result important photos, for example, may be lost permanently. For many, this can ultimately be a greater loss than the device breaking itself,” Kieksi notes.

The correct place for discarded electronics is a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) collection point, which are provided by municipal recycling centers, electronics retailers and telecom operators.

“Mobile devices containing data should always be taken specifically to WEEE or secure data recycling so they are handled properly,” Kieksi advises.

Not all electronics stored in drawers are worthless. Some older devices are still functional and may have resale or trade-in value.

“Many people are surprised that even devices several years old can still be worth money. For example, you can bring a used device to an operator’s store and receive a trade-in credit. After inspection, usable devices are directed for reuse and broken ones are recycled properly,” Kieksi explains.

During cleaning, people often also come across accessories such as tangled cables, chargers, packaging and manuals. These should be passed on at the same time.

“If you don’t know which device a cable or charger belongs to and haven’t used it for a long time, it’s unlikely you will need it in the future. In that case, recycling is the most sensible and responsible option for accessories as well. Every recycled electronic product reduces the need for raw materials and lowers the environmental footprint,” Kieksi concludes.

How to prepare a device for recycling

Back up important data
Save photos, documents and other important information to a cloud service or an external storage device before erasing the device.

Sign out of all accounts
Log out of email, cloud and application accounts (such as Google, Apple and Microsoft) and ensure the device is no longer linked to your user accounts.

Restore the device to factory settings
A factory reset deletes data and returns the device to its original state. This option is usually found in the device settings under “Reset” or “Erase.” If the device has been used to process confidential work-related information, the memory should also be securely overwritten.

Remove SIM and memory cards
Take out the SIM card, memory card and any other storage media.

Check device listings and locks
Ensure the device no longer appears in your cloud or device lists and that any locks or protections have been removed.

Turn off the device before handing it over
After the data has been erased, power off the device and take it for recycling with accessories such as cables, chargers, packaging and instructions.

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