How to Recycle a Mac

Selling your Mac

Decide if your Mac is worth selling. Unfortunately, not all Mac computers can be resold. This step most likely applies if your Mac is relatively new and still performs well. If your Mac is too old to recieve updates and no longer supported by Apple, or is aged and has performance issues, you're better off trading in or recycling it.

Find the relevant details. You'll want to know the year and model of your Mac, as well as its operating system. This ensures buyers know what they're getting. You can find this info in System Settings > About (depending on your MacOS version).

Clean your Mac. It's important to make sure your computer is physically clean when selling it. Ensure you clean it properly to avoid causing damage. Don't use harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes. Clean the keyboard, screen, and case. In most cases, a barely-damp microfibre cloth will suffice.

Wipe you Mac's data. This step is important for the privacy of your personal data and information. Make sure to back up any data you don't want to lose.

List your Mac for sale. Sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are great for selling second-hand items. Ensure you provide a detailed description with your device's model, year, primary uses and other relevant information. You can also sell at a store that has a buy-back program. Visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling to see a list of retailers that have an electronics trade-in or recycling program. Look at the list of approved items and then take the electronics that qualify to the closest location near you. When selling anything on Craigslist, make sure to meet the buyer in person when making the transaction.

Price your Mac fairly. It's important not to expect top dollar for your device; keep in mind it's a second-hand item. Check sites such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace (or wherever you're listing your Mac) for similar devices, and price your Mac competitively. If you're looking for a quick sale, try pricing your Mac lower than the competition to attract potential buyers.

Trading in your Mac with Apple

Take your Mac to an Apple Store for an instant trade-in. If you're near an Apple Store, you can skip the long wait times associated with mailing in your Mac and have it inspected on the spot. An employee will calculate the trade-in value of your device and you'll receive any applicable credit after the trade-in is completed. Find your nearest Apple store at https://www.apple.com/retail/. Physically clean and erase any data before you do this.

Look at Apple's Trade In website. You can trade in or recycle most Apple products through this page, including iPad and iPhone. Unfortunately, this service isn't available everywhere. You can check where Apple operates their trade-in service at this website.

Click Find your trade-in value. This button is blue and located in the top right of the website. An overlay menu should appear.

Select Computer, then Apple. If you've got a computer from another brand, select Other, and you may still be able to have it recycled for free by Apple.

Find and enter your Mac's serial number. On most Mac models, this is engraved on the underside of the device. If you can't find your serial number, try selecting the Mac Apple icon in the top left of the screen and choosing About This Mac.

Follow the prompts to specify your Mac's condition. The condition of you Mac will affect the trade-in value you can receive. It's important to be honest here, as you may be charged if you give false information regarding the condition of the device. If your device is badly damaged or not working, you may not be able to receive any trade-in credit.

Select a credit method. If you're buying a new Apple product, you can use the credit directly towards your purchase. If not, you may be able to choose to receive an Apple Gift Card.

Enter your information. Apple will send you a box and prepaid shipping label for your Mac to be sent back in.

Pack and mail your Mac to Apple. Once you've received your box, follow the included instructions to pack the device safely. Attach the prepaid shipping label to the outside as directed and mail the parcel from your local post office. Save the tracking number somewhere in case there are issues sending your parcel. Ensure you've erased all personal info before sending in your device.

Wait for Apple to verify your trade-in. It may take several weeks for Apple to receive and process your Mac. They'll communicate with you via email regarding the status of your trade-in. Reach out to Apple if you have any questions or concerns during the trade in process.