Is your home looking like a gadget graveyard because you’re not sure of what to do with your old cell phones, computer equipment or game consoles? None of us want to contribute to the landfill issue, but neither do we want our house to resemble the same. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of our old toys without polluting up the environment.
What follows is a look at how to recycle your old technology:
Cell Phones
When you’re done with your old cell phone, and your kids are done with your old cell phone, you can either toss them into that box of old cell phones in your office, or you can put them to good use. Some organization will recycle all the different parts of your own phone to build new technology, while others refurbish the cell and give them to soldiers, elderly and others who many not be able to afford new gadgets.
- Recycle my phone: Mail your phone to Earthworks. Simply fill out the form and send in your phone. Easy and you don’t have to drive farther than your local post office.
- Call 2 Recycle: Will tell you where to recycle your old cell phones, batteries and other items.
- The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Accepts cell phones that they refurbish and give to victims of domestic violence so they can stay safe.
- Cell Phones for Soldiers: Provides pre paid cell phones and credit cards to our heroes overseas.
- AT&Ts Reuse and Recycle Program – Options for recycling your cellphone.
- LG Electronics: Cell phone recycling initiative.
Computer & Laptops
If you’re done with your old computers, there are plenty of options. You can clean it up and give it to your kids for their schoolwork and gaming, or you can donate it to a school, senior center, homeless shelter, or rehab center – but call to find out if they need it before dropping off. Some soldiers overseas might also be looking for a secondhand computer in order to keep up with family and friends back home. Also try:
- Earth 911 – Includes a search engine so you can receive a list of several places in your area that accepts computers for recycling or refurbishing.
- Apple Recycling Program: For $30, Apple will take care of your old laptops, computers, etc.
- Hewlett Packard Recycling Program: Either free or costs something depending on what you have and what you want do with it.
- Search the database at Earth 911 for donation options in your area.
- Dell Recycle: As with the others, options for recycling your Dell computers.
- eCycling Tools: Provides you with the tools you need to recycle your gadgetry.
Other Electronics
So what are you going to do with your old bulky round screens when the kids are done gaming with them in the basement? And your game consoles or office equipment? Here are some recycling solutions for those as well.
- Office Depot Tech Recycling Service: Offers an assortment of boxes to pack up your TV’s and ship ‘em out, you’ll have to pay to play but it’s worth it to get the stuff out of your house.
- Sony’s Take Back Recycling Program: Find drop off centers in your area.
- Best Buy: Accepts any electronic item, regardless of where it’s purchased. There’s a charge for larger items.
- Staples Eco Easy: Options for recycling batteries, toner, printers and more.
- Toshiba’s recycling and trade in program also offers several options.
- Freecycle: If you don’t want your stuff, some of your neighbors might.
- The Federal Electronics Challenge: Information for businesses for recycling and donating old equipment.
- Gazelle.com: Cash for gadgets.
- Canon Recycling Program: Instructions for returning all your old, unwanted Canon products.
Though we listed a wide-range of place to go for recyling electronics, the truth is, just about any electronic manufacturer has a recycling program Some you’ll have to pay for and some are free, but all will allow you to do your part for the environment while helping to rid your home of unwanted clutter.
Do you have tips for recycling gadgets and electronics? Please share in the comments.
{ 3 comments }
Good information. Two (green) thumbs up!
Straight and to the point. This is so useful.
Donating to those needy should be an act for good cause. However, my only concern is on the privacy issue. I remember reading an article about how data harvester can actually salvage files from your hard disk even after it has been formatted. Apart from this, I don’t have any problem giving it away.
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