A research team funded by the National Science Foundation reports that consumers often keep old electronics in a “junk drawer,” driven by anxiety about data security and uncertainty about how to recycle or resell devices. The study links stated attitudes to observed behavior using statistical modeling. According to the reporting, 39% of devices are simply stored, while recycling and reselling each account for about 1 in 10 outcomes. The researchers found that people who worry recycling or reselling will compromise their data are more likely to store devices, and that those who do not know where to recycle are also more likely to keep them. The report adds a behavioral nuance: data-security concerns can increase once individuals face the decision point of actually handing over a device, meaning intention surveys may underestimate the effect of real-world security fears. For higher education technology and research security leaders, the findings translate into a practical campus need: clear, easy-to-use device wipe guidance and accessible disposal pathways can reduce data exposure risks and improve compliance for labs, libraries, and student tech programs.