Recycling

Lec3 Said:

"Recycling: What is the simplest way to recycle my 2012 MacBook Air. I want to wipe it first, but neither the online advice nor phone support from Apple could make that work--I get hung up in Recovery with the machine unresponsive. The phone person said to take it to a store. I'd like to make an appointment there, but it appears I have to see a genius, which requires first explaining the problem, and then being directed to phone or chat support instead."

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Properly Ridding of a Mac:

Perform as instructed here, including the iCloud logout, and Time Machine Backup creation: What to do Before you Sell, Give Away, Trade in, or Recycle your Mac - Apple Support

As for Disposal:

See if a local trailer takes technology in for technology disposal/recycling.

Lec3 Said:

"Thanks, but I've already tried to follow those instructions, and I keep getting hung up on that one step. Apple support said I had to take it to a store to get it wiped."

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Taking this to an Apple Store:

Set up a Genius Bar Appointment at your local Apple Store. You might be required to provide a proof of purchase. So, consider being that along too.

See: See the Apple Support articles about preparing to sell, give away, or trade in your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or AirPods.

A simple,simple way if you really don’t care what happens with it as far as loss of data goes is to erase it via find my. I erased a Mac from my iPhone on find my. Actually did it by accident. It took mere minutes, if that.

Erase a device in Find My on iPhone - Apple Support

Erase a device in Find My on Mac - Apple Support