It’s almost impossible to find a household where all gadgets and gizmos are used daily. More often than not, you have unused or unwanted devices stored in a drawer that you rarely open. These unwanted gizmos can range from obsolete mobile phones to defective laptops. If this sounds familiar, it’s high time to dispose of your old gadgets. Don’t throw them in the trash, though! Instead:
Recycle
Most of the big tech enterprises own a recycling program set up to recycle or trade in unused or damaged gadgets conscientiously. Here are some recycling programs you can contact for your unwanted gadgets. Note that a number of these companies even accept devices from other brands.
Return your old, damaged Apple devices to the company for proper recycling. If your unit has any monetary value, the company will present you with a gift card for it.
Samsung’s recycling program is one of the most used, given the number of people who own at least one Samsung device. You can drop off your to-be-recycled Samsung gadgets at various locations. Go to the company website for the specific drop-off locations.
If you have unwanted devices from different brands, use Best Buy Recycle. The company’s recycling program accepts virtually any tech item, including televisions, computer monitors, video cables, DVD players, and more.
Game systems are probably the least recycled devices. As such, Nintendo’s free take-back program primarily aims to minimize waste. The gaming company either refurbishes the unused system or recycles its parts for new items.
Donate
If your old gadget still works, numerous non-profit organizations will gladly accept it from you. If you have an old computer you want to dispose of, go to Goodwill. With its partnership with Dell Reconnect, Goodwill accepts any computer or accessory that can be connected to a desktop.
If you want to sell your old device and still help others, consider eBay for Charity. The program lets you sell anything – old gadgets included – and donate all or part of the proceeds to the charity of your choice.
Another good donation option is to go to your local nursing home or recreation center. If you’d like, you can request a receipt for the donation, which you can then deduct from your next tax return.
If you have a hard time parting ways with your unwanted gadget, you might find it ironic, but you can try using it in a different way. Turn your old monitor into a second screen, your old tablet into a picture frame, and so on. There are numerous DIY instructions available on how to repurpose your old devices.
Cesar is a Product Manager at Gadget Salvation, a leader in the refurbished electronics industry. An avid technology enthusiast, he’s always on top of the latest tech trends and applies that knowledge to drive product innovation.
