Look through your junk drawer, under your bed or in the storage closet; I bet you’ll find an old cell phone or two, a bunch of charge cords and maybe even your outdated laptop. There are a number of reasons we hang onto old electronic devices. No one really knows how to sustainably dispose of them, and there is always the fear that someday in the future you’ll need a back-up cell phone or power cord.

Disposing of these devices clears up space in your home, ensures that they are recycled responsibly, and might even earn you some money along the way. Check out these resources and find the easiest way to get rid of your old stuff.

SELL ONLINE:

Gazelle: Easy functionality and free shipping make this site a go-to resource for selling back electronics. Answer some questions about your device online and then print out your packing slip. Once they receive the device, you’ll get paid via check, Amazon credit or PayPal. Our only caveat: they focus primarily on Apple products, although they accept many types of cell phones.

USell: USell.com takes the guesswork out of selling your electronics to a vendor. The site shows you the best offer and makes it easy to ship the product for free. USell accepts a wide range of electronics, including cameras and MP3 players.

BuyMyTronics: Similar to the two previous sites, BuyMyTronics lets you ship your item for free and reimburses you through PayPal or check. BuyMyTronics gave the highest quote for my iPhone 4, and promises to erase all your data from any device you send in. The site buys more obscure electronics like GPS, camera lenses and accessories.

SELL IN PERSON:

ecoATM: The ecoATM is an automated, consumer self-serve kiosk that quickly evaluates and buys back used electronics directly from consumers for cash. It looks like a vending machine and can be found in malls across the country. Simply insert your device to be scanned and the machine will make you an offer. If you accept, you’ll receive cash on the spot. Typically, ecoATM offers a little less than online sites but it’s an incredibly easy process and you receive cash instantly. Find a location here.

Big box retailers: Best Buy, Walmart, Radio Shack and Costco will also buy back electronics in return for a gift card to their store. Prices are generally pretty high, especially if you have the original receipt.

DONATE:

Another awesome option is donating your old electronics to charities that could really use them. A fan favorite around here is Cell Phones For Soldiers, which collects old cell phones and sells them to buy calling cards for active-duty military members deployed overseas.

Remember to delete and back up all personal data before selling any electronics, and never throw them away in the trash.