Gadgets can accumulate over time when new ones are released and old ones break. If you changed any of your equipment over the holidays, you undoubtedly have a drawer full of old batteries and cables, as well as some old phones, laptops, and desktops hanging about. Perhaps you kept them for sentimental reasons (I admit, I kept my first Nokia block phone to “show my kids one day”) or because you thought you’d be able to use them again in the future. Be courageous. Maintain your concentration. If you look through your drawers, garage, or a dark corner of your closet, you’re bound to find a stack of electronics you don’t need. Whatever the technology, there’s always a right way to say goodbye when it’s time.
What Should i Do With My Gadget Before i Get Rid of It?
When you’re done with a device, be sure you’re done with it as well. Even if it’s old, all it takes is a charger to get access to your personal data on your old phone or computer.
The moral of the storey is to make a backup of anything important on the device (pictures, videos, and music) before performing a factory reset. Don’t panic; in the sections below on phones, laptops, and cameras, we’ll show you how to wipe your device.
Dead Batteries
There are several options for properly disposing of single-use and rechargeable batteries (such as AA, AAA, and D-cell) found in flashlights, toys, and other household electronics.
Dead batteries can be dropped off for free at Whole Foods, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples. I recommend putting your used batteries in a container and returning it when it’s full.
You can also use Earth911, a website that can help you identify a recycling place near you based on the sort of battery you need to dispose of (for instance, alkaline, button cell, lithium, zinc-air). Call2Recycle can also assist you in locating locations where you can recycle your batteries. Or you can drop them off to any cell phone repair store nearest to your location.
How Can i Recycle My Phone?
According to Call2Recycle, phones and their batteries are among the easiest gadgets to recycle. Before conducting a factory reset, remember to move any data and images from your old phone to a new phone or save your photos in another way. Remember to take out the SIM card as well (if it’s still in the phone).
Regardless of size, make, model, or age, the company accepts all phones and batteries. Call2Recycle can either resell the gadget or recycle the materials to make a new one. You can even get paid to recycle your phone if you look hard enough. If your phone is recent enough, you may be able to trade it in to a carrier or sell it on the open market if you’re in the market for a new phone. Otherwise, if the phone has lost a lot of value, recycling maybe your best option for getting rid of a dirty phone.
Recycling Laptops Has Never Been Easier
Before you throw away your old computer, consider whether it is still functional. According to TechSoup, if it’s less than five years old, chances are it can be put to good use by someone else. After being reconditioned, newer computers might be donated to local NGOs or libraries.
If the equipment is too old or damaged to donate, it can be recycled. Earth911 makes it simple once more: To discover the nearest drop-off site, simply search for “laptop computer” and input your ZIP code. Dell’s Goodwill Reconnect Program accepts any brand of old or broken electronics.
Chargers And Wires Can Also Be Reused
If you’re like my husband and keep boxes upon boxes of wires, chargers, and cables in your basement (just in case you need one), it’s time to get rid of them. You might check on Google to see if any wires you have around are worth anything. Copper, for example, is selling for $2.35 a pound as of April 2020, according to InvestmentMine.
Why Can’t i Just Get Rid Of My Old Electronics And Batteries?
In Conclusion, your electronics don’t only leave behind wires and plastic when they end up in a landfill (which is a huge problem in itself). E-waste can harm the environment if it is discarded or incorrectly disposed of. Toxic elements such as lead, flame retardants, and chromium are found in most electronics. These substances can harm a person’s kidneys, blood, and neurological system.
