13 July 2026 · 6 min read
What to do with old electronics in Slovenia: sell, donate or recycle
Almost every home in Slovenia has a drawer or a cardboard box where old phones, tablets, cables and the odd laptop sit idle. Most of it is not rubbish: part of it is worth money, part can make someone happy, and the rest belongs in recycling, not in the general waste bin.
This guide goes through it in order: how to quickly judge whether something is still worth selling, where you can donate it, and where in Slovenia you can drop it off for free to be recycled properly.
First: is it still worth money?
A rough rule of thumb: working phones and laptops younger than 6 to 7 years almost always still have market value. Working consoles, cameras with lenses, quality headphones and speakers, and brand-name tools sell even when older. Check completed listings on Bolha or eBay to see actual sale prices, not wishes.
Even broken devices are not necessarily worthless: a cracked recent iPhone sells for parts, and a working screen or a healthy battery has its price. If you are not sure whether something still has value, send it for an estimate through our buyout form; we will tell you honestly, even if the answer is "not worth selling".
Selling: yourself or through a buyout
- ·You get the most selling yourself on Bolha or Facebook Marketplace, but expect listings, messages, haggling and risky meetups.
- ·A buyout (like ours) is faster: you describe the item, get an offer, and get paid at handover; in exchange for the speed the price is somewhat below a patient private sale.
- ·Always prepare the device before selling: backup, account sign-out, factory reset (see our guide on preparing a phone).
Donating: keep the device working
An older but working phone or laptop can go to relatives, neighbours or local charities; humanitarian organisations and social work centres often look for working computer equipment for families and school kids. Wipe your data and sign out of accounts first, exactly as you would when selling.
Before donating, be honest about the condition: a device whose battery lasts an hour, or a laptop that overheats, brings the recipient more frustration than help. Recycle such a device instead.
Recycling: where to drop it off for free
- ·Your municipal waste collection centre: every municipality has one, and households drop off e-waste free of charge.
- ·Electronics retailers: when you buy a new device they must take back an equivalent old one, and larger stores accept small e-waste even without a purchase.
- ·Street containers for small e-waste and batteries: placed at recycling points in many municipalities; phones, cables, chargers and batteries go there.
- ·Collection drives: schools and clubs occasionally organise e-waste collection campaigns.
Why e-waste does not belong in general waste
Electronics contain raw materials worth returning to circulation (copper, aluminium, gold in circuit boards) and substances that harm nature (lithium batteries, heavy metals). A lithium battery in general waste is also a fire risk for garbage trucks and sorting facilities. Dropping it off at a collection point is the only right way, and it is free.
Before handing it over: data off, whatever the route
Whether the device is sold, donated or scrapped: your data comes off first. Factory reset phones and laptops, pull or securely erase the drive from a desktop computer, and check microSD cards and USB sticks separately; that is where photos and documents most often linger.
Frequently asked questions
Where in Slovenia can I drop off old electronics for free?+
At your municipal waste collection centre (free for households), at electronics retailers (they must take back an old device when you buy a new one, and larger stores accept small appliances even without a purchase) and in street containers for small e-waste at recycling points.
How old a phone is still worth selling?+
A working phone younger than roughly 6 years usually still has market value; iPhones even older. A rough line: if the model still sells second-hand above €30, selling is worth it; otherwise donate or recycle it.
Can I throw a phone or a battery into general waste?+
No. E-waste and batteries do not belong in general waste; lithium batteries are also a fire hazard. Drop them off for free at a collection centre, a store or a small e-waste container.
What do I do about my data before handing a device over?+
Sign out of your accounts (Apple ID, Google), make a backup and run a factory reset. For computers, securely erase the drive or remove it physically. Do not forget microSD cards and USB sticks.
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