Are your old cell phones or computers just sitting around collecting dust? Why not start your spring cleaning early, like fall early, and clean them out? There are many options for your no longer used technology, and far better answers then tossing them in the trash.
Preston Gralla, contributing editor for Computerworld.com and other of more than 45 books, wrote an entire article on how and where to recycle your old technology , so be sure to check out his entire article here for all the details. For this article, we will provide you a quick overview of Gralla’s 6 ways to recycle your technology:
- Use your local community – Gralla says one of the easiest ways to recycle your electronics is to check your local community. “Many municipal governments run recycling programs in order to keep toxics out of landfills.” The National Center for Electronics Recycling is a good place to find state-by-state guides to recycling laws. Gralla also says it is important to “ask questions to see whether it meets appropriate standards, such as ensuring that all personal data is destroyed and following best management practices.”
- Use retailers – Electronic retailers such as Best Buy or Office Depot offer recycling programs of their own. Gralla always says to double check, but that “for the most part, the stores will accept products whether or not they were purchased there, and will recycle them for free.”
- Use manufacturers – Most mobile phone carriers as well as some manufacturers offer recycling programs as well. Dell™ and Apple™ will even take certain computers or electronics that are not even manufactured by them. Apple™ will even give you a gift card for turning in certain Apple™ equipment. Like with all of these, call around or do your research online as different companies have different requirements.
- Donate towards a good cause – groups such as World Computer Exchange and Cristina Foundation provide you ways to donate electronics you do not use anymore. The one common requirement is that the equipment does work, so be sure to ask before you donate a non-working item.
- Sell them – Selling is a nice way to make some cash back on your electronics if you feel they still may be worth something. It’s usually never a grand amount of money, but money is money right? Gralla tested out many sites to see what they would offer for an iPad 2 and a Motorola Droid X2. He lists seven of the sites he tried and shows the process he has to go through in the article we linked to above.
- Recycle or give away online – In certain circumstances, your device may just be too outdated to try and donate or sell. There are places online where you can recycle or give them away without having to carry it to the recycler yourself. Freecycle, MyBoneYard, and WeRecycle, were among some of Gralla’s suggestions if this seems like a good option for you.
Electronics are often filled with heavy metals and hazardous materials, which as we all know are very dangerous for our environment. Gralla did some great research in finding some simple ways to get rid of old electronics, all while being green. We highly recommend you check out his article and also do your own research to find environmentally healthy ways to recycle electronics in your area!