The good news? Recycling your old devices is easier than ever. Major retailers like Best Buy, Staples and Office Depot accept laptops, desktops , printers, and other electronics, often at no cost.

"I thought, 'My skills are old but hopefully they can be useful.'" Purce, who is now in college full-time, has turned her home into a computer repair shop -- and the effort has become a family affair.