Apologies, I know this will have been done before, but...
I've discovered two ancient laptops and some phones that I'd kind of forgotten even existed. They are too old to be of any use to any charity etc
There's a laptop that just about handled the free upgrade to W10, a netbook c.2010 netbook (remember them?) and a selection of ancient Android phones
Do I just sling them all in the small electricals bit at the tip?
I would list them on eBay etc, older hardware is actually quite desired for repairs or by people who want dumb devices.
Otherwise, recycling
Take hdd out of laptop, hit hdd with hammer several times. Take it to tip.
Factory reset the phone.
The tip has separate place for old laptops.
As Dawson says disks out hit them with a blunt instrument .