Editorial update: 11 October 2026. This original guide replaces a reproduced report. Historical figures have been replaced with a dated primary-source reference.

The Global E-waste Monitor 2024, prepared by ITU and UNITAR, reports 62 million tonnes of electronic waste generated in 2022, with 22.3% documented as formally collected and recycled. These are figures for 2022, not estimates of today's total. The practical question for an owner is what to do with a particular device before it becomes waste.

Diagnose the reason for replacement

Write down the actual problem: a broken part, inadequate performance, unavailable software support, or simply a preference for something newer. Each calls for a different decision. Replacing an inexpensive accessory may restore an otherwise useful device. A machine that works mechanically can still be unsuitable for sensitive online tasks if its software is no longer supported.

Situation	Useful next check
One component has failed	Ask for a diagnosis, repair price and repair warranty before comparing replacement costs.
The original task is too demanding	Identify a less demanding use and check that support and compatibility remain adequate.
Someone else could use it	Describe its condition and limitations accurately; do not pass a disposal problem off as a donation.
No safe, useful role remains	Use an authorised local collection or producer take-back route and check what it accepts.

Make a complete handover

Before transferring a working device, follow the manufacturer's instructions to back up needed data, remove accounts and erase personal information. Include necessary accessories and explain known faults. For a business, record the asset identifier, the destination and any required data-destruction evidence. A box leaving the office is not proof of reuse or responsible recycling.

Compare total service, not just the ticket price

In a hypothetical example, a repair costing 60 currency units that provides another two years of useful service costs 30 units per added year. A 240-unit replacement expected to serve four years costs 60 units per year before operating costs. This does not prove repair always wins: reliability, support, energy use and suitability may change the decision. It provides a clear starting calculation.

For the next purchase, ask about replaceable parts, service documentation and expected software support before buying. Keeping those details with the receipt makes the eventual repair decision easier.

Give a device a documented next owner or treatment route

For a hypothetical laptop, list the fault, repair options, account state and whether it can complete a useful task. Compare repair and reuse before deciding on recycling, while keeping the security of stored information part of the plan. A device that powers on is not automatically ready for another person.

Follow the manufacturer's erasure and transfer instructions, respect organizational ownership and use a suitable collection route when repair or reuse is impractical. Keep a handover record without passwords. The 2022 global figures cited above describe a measured historical period; the practical decision concerns the actual equipment in front of you.