Did you know that recycling electronics doesn’t stop at your mobile phone? You can recycle anything from your old DVD player to the latest iPad. With the growing issue of e-waste, it means that we need to take extra care in being mindful of our tech habits during the end of life of our gadgets and ensure we responsibly recycle our tech. This guide will help you find out more about how you can recycle your iPad, from factory resetting it to choosing the best option for parting ways with your device.
From selling your iPad for cash to taking it to your local recycling centre, there are so many options for you to recycle your iPad. Many people don’t realise that you can earn money from your unused iPad whilst also doing your bit for the environment.
The popularity of the iPad means it holds its value for far longer than most other tablets, so you can get a good price when selling your iPad for cash.
At Compare and Recycle we take out the faff in the process of finding the best price for your iPad, tablet or mobile phone. We generate a comparison of all the recyclers that want to buy your iPad, and all you need to do is choose the offer best suited to your needs!
So here’s how to compare and recycle your iPad for cash:
🔍 Search for your phone
🛒 Choose an offer
💷 Send your iPad off to get paid!
Of course, the condition of your iPad means that the offers you receive will vary and may be less than what you may have hoped. However, it’s important to remember that regardless of this, you’re contributing to the reduction of e-waste as well as earning money from your iPad even if it’s broken. That’s a win-win!
Trading in your old iPad with Apple has its advantages and disadvantages are. When trading in using Apple, you might be worse off and not get as much money for your iPad as you would’ve liked.
On the other hand, you are able to either trade in online or at an Apple store and get credit in the form of a gift card towards your next purchase with Apple. This is great if you are looking to buy a product from Apple but limits you if you are not so much an Apple customer and want to spend your earnings elsewhere or you'd rather get cash.
You should also note that the financial incentives offered may not reflect how much your iPad is actually worth and it’s likely that you can earn more money elsewhere for your iPad. On their website it explains that if your iPad is still in working condition then they will refurbish it in order to get it to its next owner otherwise they will still take it off your hands and recycle it for free. Another positive thing to note is that as part of the recycling service, Apple will also accept the cables, phone cases and packaging alongside your iPad which will save you from accumulating a mountain of unused cables in an old drawer!
If the options above don’t take your fancy, then don’t worry we’ve got a few more options to share with you which may be a better option if your iPad is too old and therefore have no or low value on comparison sites.
Taking your iPad to a local recycling centre is a popular option which guarantees peace of mind once it’s out of your hands, because it will be responsibly recycled. You should do your research and check which recycling centre near you offers this service and follow the instructions to make sure you know exactly what to do once you arrive. Bear in mind that even though you’re not going through a trade in or sale process, you still need to ensure that you have correctly backed up and cleared your iPad before taking it to the recycling centre.
You can also check your councils website for their WEEE recycling services, which in most cases include collection services for your unwanted electronic items. It’s always best to read through the information on their website to see which electronic items can be collected and whether or not there is a fee. For more information on alternative options for recycling your iPad, check out The Ultimate Guide To Recycling blog.
Did you know that donating your unwanted items also applies to your electronics too? There are so many charities that are willing to take your iPad off your hands and it’s also a great way for you to get involved in a good cause. For donations you should make sure that you have followed the steps in removing your information and that your data is all safely backed up. If your device is no longer in working order or severely damaged, then this option does not apply to you and you should consider the other recycling options listed above.
Charities that accept iPad donations that are in working order:
The British Heart Foundation - The BHF allows you to donate your iPad and other tech gadgets that have a plug and are in working order. With the donations received, they are used as funding for lifesaving research which essentially gives your device a new lease of life.
Vodafone and Barnado’s - This charity uses iPad donations to tackle the digital divide, providing the opportunity for those who do not have the means to be connected to gain tech, digital upskilling training which supports their journey into independence and employment.
Little Lives UK - When you donate your iPad here, it will be refurbished and given directly to a child in need. If your iPad cannot be repurposed, then it is sold on and the proceeds will then be used to support disadvantaged children across the UK.
First off, before you part ways with your iPad, there are a few things you need to do to ensure that all of your data and information have safely and securely been transferred to your next device or at least backed up.
When trading in or recycling your iPad, you’ll need to go through the following steps:
Transfer data to another device or back it up to iCloud
If you have a new iPad, you can use QuickStart to automatically transfer your data if you are using iOS 11 or later. Anything earlier than iOS 10, you can use iCloud or iTunes to transfer your data
Cancel your AppleCare plan if you’ve purchased on for your device
Sign out of your iCloud and iTunes:
iOS 11 or later: Click Settings > Your name > Scroll down and click Sign Out > Enter your Apple ID password > Click Turn Off.
iOS 10.2 or earlier: Click Settings > iCloud > Sign Out > Click Sign Out again and click Delete from My Device > Enter your Apple ID password > Go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > Sign Out.
To erase your iPad - Go to Settings > Click General > Reset device > Erase All Content and Settings. Note that if you have Find My Device switched on then you might need to enter your Apple ID and password. For iPads that use eSIM, there will be an option for you to erase your device and eSIM profile.
So there you have it, there are so many ways you can recycle your iPad ranging from trade in services to using it as a donation towards a charity. Basically what we are trying to say is that there really is no excuse to irresponsibly bin your iPad. Whether you want to sell your iPad so that you can put some money towards your next gadget or simply not sure what to do with your broken iPad, this blog has an abundance of different options.
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