New mobile phones, tablets and laptops come out every year. As technology upgrades, older devices retire to the household gadget graveyard. I think I have a drawer full of old batteries and cables. old phonelaptops and desktops are lying around, depending on how often you upgrade your equipment.
We all cling to obsolete tech for our own reasons – I still have the first tech Nokia block phone Hidden for nostalgia.There are multiple ways Reuse your old device for you smart homeand use them like surveillance camera more.
Whatever the technology, when it’s time to say goodbye, there’s a right way to dispose of your old gadget – and a lot of wrong ways.
Things to do before disposing of your device
When you’re done using your gadget, make sure you’ve finished using it yourself. Back up everything you need from your device, like photos, videos, songs, etc., then do a factory reset. Here are some CNET articles that help clarify the finer points of wiping a device.
Here are the best places in the United States to recycle, reuse, or give new life to old technology.
smartphone recycling
For smartphone recycling, you can print a free FedEx shipping label or request a recycling kit. If you ship your old smartphone, you can even get paid for it, depending on the condition and age of the device. Smartphone recycling accepts devices in batches, so a minimum of 10 units must be shipped. Depending on how long you’ve been hoarding your phone, you may be able to fill this quota yourself. If not, check with friends and family and work on it in groups.
If you’ve succumbed to the siren song of your latest gadget, we’re not here to judge you, even if your current device wasn’t the last resort.
Screenshot by Woot/CNET
What can be recycled: Smartphone Recycling accepts smartphones, mobile phones, MacBooks, tablets, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apple Watches, and batteries installed or installed in devices.
best buy
Best Buy accepts a wide range of technology products and typically receives 3 items per store per day. Details may vary depending on your location, but can be found in the state-specific recycling information drop-down menu on the site.
Best Buy also offers transportation options for large appliances such as televisions, dishwashers, freezers, microwave ovens, treadmills, and exercise bikes. If you order a new product, Best Buy will take your old product back for recycling. There is also a standalone carrying option that costs $200.With a few exceptions, you can carry two large items and an unlimited number of small items.
What can be recycled: Best Buy for TVs, Cables & Chargers, Media Players, Projectors, Laptops, Hard Drives, Webcams, Cell Phones, Calculators, Radios, Landlines, Headsets, Vacuum Cleaners, Fans, Ink & Toner Cartridges, Alarm Clocks Watches, speaker systems, e-readers, video game consoles, memory cards, camcorders, digital cameras, GPS devices, and more.
If you don’t want to recycle your tablet, there is a place to donate your tech.
Amazon
staple
Office supply store Staples also offers free recycling options for old technology. Staples accepts a maximum of 7 items per day per customer. The company also offers a variety of hauling options, driver pick-up and pallet pick-up, and prepaid address labels.
What can be recycled: Staples lets you recycle accessories, adapters, cables, computers, cordless and cell phones, digital cameras, laptops, routers, tablets, webcams, ink and toner, and other office technology items.
home depot
The Home Depot website has instructions on how to safely dispose of dead batteries, old paint, electronics, and other items, as well as tips on upcycling and reusing. According to RecycleStuff.org, the service is for residential customers only.
What can be recycled: According to RecycleStuff.org, Home Depot accepts household alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V), lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, rechargeable household batteries, cell phones, and LED light bulbs.
US Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA doesn’t process recycling or take-ins the same way other companies do, but we do have a handy guide to help you easily find the information you need. EPA’s directory categorizes donations and recycling by electronic device, company name, logo, and other details.
What can be recycled: Again, the EPA directory has links to specific companies and their policies, but the list says mobile devices, PCs, televisions, imaging equipment and supplies can be recycled and donated. .
Electronic Device Collection Coalition
Like the EPA, the Electronics Take-Back Coalition can easily find take-back programs for manufacturers in the United States. Browse overviews of takeback programs from over 25 companies including Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Sony and more.
The Electronics Take-back Coalition does not handle recycling, but can direct you to appropriate resources for your needs.
What can be recycled: Some companies have locations where you can return iPhones, iPads, smartphones, monitors, computers, printers, keyboards, mice, DVD and VHS players, cameras, TVs, and more.
Laptops can be recycled, donated, or reused. We will tell you where to look.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Eco ATM
EcoATM provides price estimates for old phones that can be locked with a mobile app using the old device’s IMEI number. EcoATM asks a few questions about your device, including brand, model, memory, carrier, and condition, before creating a quote. From there, you can access one of your organization’s kiosks at stores like Kroger, Walmart, and Dollar General.
What can be recycled: EcoATM is available on iPhone, Samsung smartphones, tablets and MP3 players, Google Pixel smartphones, LG smartphones and tablets, Motorola smartphones and ZTE smartphones. Mobile accessories such as chargers and cases can also be recycled, but there is no charge.
Earth 911
Earth911 allows you to search by device and zip code to find suitable locations nearby to hand over your old phone. Once on his organization’s website, where to recycle To get started, it’s at the top of the page. Earth911 works with well-known companies such as Lowe’s and Target, as well as local waste and recycling centers.
What can be recycled:Earth911 helps you find places to recycle, but also records what materials are accepted at the place, whether they are allowed to be brought into your home or business or collected, and additional information.
recycling for charity
Recycling for Charities accepts technology donations, but donates a portion of the value of your device to a charity of your choice.Scroll through the charity directory, select it, fill in the required information and[寄付]Click. Charities receive anywhere from 25 cents to $100 from your item.
What can be recycled: wireless cell phones and compatible batteries, iPhones, wireless pagers, digital cameras, iPods, PDAs, Palm Pilots.
Call2Recycle
Call2Recycle is a battery-focused recycling program. The organization offers drop-off options at locations like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples, as well as shipping boxes for batteries and cell phones. Drop-ins are free, but recycling kits and shipping boxes cost between $45 and $115 depending on size.
What can be recycled: Rechargeable batteries such as nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion, nickel-zinc, and small sealed lead-acid up to 11 lbs. Call2Recycle also accepts disposable batteries such as AA, AAA, 9V, C, D, and coin cells weighing up to 11 lbs. The organization also accepts mobile phones and their corresponding batteries regardless of size, make, model, or age.
For more info, check out 5 things you can recycle (and 5 things you can’t). The right way to recycle plastic When The Dos and Don’ts of Recycling Metal Cans.
