Thinking about spring cleaning? Whether you’re finally cleaning out your junk drawer or upgrading your technology, don’t send your old devices to the device graveyard in your home, or worse, the trash. We all hold on to old technology for our own reasons, but there are many ways to fix it. Recycle your old devices for you smart houseYou use it like this: security camera And more.
Whatever your technology, there’s a right way to dispose of your old devices when you finally have to say goodbye. But there are many wrong ways too. Let me show you which is which.
What to do before removing your device
When you’re done using a gadget, make sure it’s done with you too. Back up everything you want on your device, including photos, videos, songs, and more, then perform a factory reset. Here are a few CNET articles to help clarify the details about wiping your device:
Here are some of the best places in the country to recycle, repurpose, or give new life to old technology.
How to recycle your smartphone
Smartphone Recycling allows you to print a free FedEx shipping label or request a recycling kit. If you ship your old smartphone, you may be charged a fee depending on the condition and age of the device. Smartphone Recycling accepts devices in bulk, so you’ll need to ship a minimum of 10 units. Depending on how long you keep your phone, you may be able to meet this quota on your own. If not, check with friends or family and try to do it as a group.
If you’ve succumbed to the siren call of the latest gadget, we can’t judge you, even if your current device isn’t in its final stages.
What can be recycled: Smartphone recycling accepts smartphones, cell phones, MacBooks, tablets, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apple Watches, as well as batteries installed or installed in the device.
Best Buy
Best Buy accept Various technology products Typically, we take three items per day per home. Specifics may vary depending on where you live, 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 TVs, dishwashers, freezers, microwaves, treadmills, and exercise bikes. If you ordered a new product from Best Buy. Take your old stuff with you for recycling. also Standalone transport option That’s $200. you can have 2 large items and unlimited small itemsThere are some exceptions.
What can be recycled: Best Buy includes TVs, cables and chargers, media players, projectors, laptops, hard drives, webcams, cell phones, calculators, radios, landlines, headsets, vacuum cleaners, fans, ink and toner cartridges, alarm clocks, speaker systems, and electronics. Includes products, etc. Readers, video game consoles, memory cards, camcorders, digital cameras, GPS devices, etc.
If you don’t want to recycle your tablet, there are places where you can donate the technology.
staple
Office supply store Staples also offers free recycling options for old technology. Staples allows a maximum of seven items per customer per day. The company also offers a variety of hauling options, driver pickup and pallet pickup, as well as prepaid address labels.
What can be recycled: Staples can be recycled for accessories, adapters, cables, computers, wireless and cell phones, digital cameras, laptops, routers, tablets, webcams, ink, 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 upcycling and recycling tips. According to RecycleStuff.org, this service is only available to residential customers.
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, household rechargeable batteries, cell phones, and LED light bulbs.
US Environmental Protection Agency
EPA doesn’t handle recycling and returns the same way as other companies, but we do provide a handy guide to make it easier for you to get the information you need. EPA’s directory categorizes donations and recycling by electronic device, company name, logo and additional details.
What can be recycled: Again, the EPA directory links you to specific companies and their policies, but the listings show you can recycle and donate mobile devices, PCs, TVs, as well as video equipment and supplies.
Electronics Recovery Coalition
Like the EPA, you can easily find manufacturer take-back programs in the United States through the Electronics Take-Back Coalition. You can search summaries of takeback programs from over 25 companies, including Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Sony, and more.
Electronics Recovery Coalition does not handle recycling, but we can guide you to the appropriate resource for your needs.
What can be recycled: Depending on the company, you may be able to find a location where you can drop off iPhones, iPads, smartphones, monitors, computers, printers, keyboards, mice, DVD and VHS players, cameras, TVs, and more.
Laptops can be recycled, donated or repurposed. We’ll tell you where to look.
EcoATM
EcoATM uses your existing device’s IMEI number to provide you with an estimated price for your existing phone, which you can lock from the mobile app. EcoATM asks several questions about your device, such as brand, model, memory, carrier, and condition, before generating a quote. From there, you can visit one of the organization’s kiosks in stores like Kroger, Walmart, and Dollar General.
What can be recycled: EcoATM can help you with iPhone, Samsung smartphones, tablets and MP3 players, Google Pixel phones, LG phones and tablets, Motorola phones and ZTE phones. You can also recycle phone accessories like chargers and cases, but you won’t be charged for this.
Earth911
Earth911 allows you to search by device and zip code to find a suitable nearby location to drop off your old phone. When you visit the organization’s website, click: recycling place To get started, check out the top of the page: Earth911 works with big names like Lowe’s and Target, as well as local waste and recycling centers.
What can be recycled: Earth911 helps you find a location to recycle, but it also records what materials that location accepts, whether it allows residential or business drop-off or pickup, and additional information.
Recycling for Charity
Recycling for Charity accepts technology donations, but donates a portion of the value of the device to the charity of your choice. Scroll through the list of charities, select one, enter the required information, and click Donate. The charity receives between 25 cents and $100 from your items.
What can be recycled: Wireless cell phones and their batteries, iPhones, pagers, digital cameras, iPods, PDAs and Palm Pilots.
Call2Recycle
Call2Recycle is a battery-focused recycling program. The organization offers drop-off options at places like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples, as well as battery and cell phone shipping boxes. Returns are free, but recycling kits and shipping boxes cost $45 to $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 weighing up to 11 pounds. Call2Recycle also accepts disposable batteries such as AA, AAA, 9V, C, D and button cell batteries weighing up to 11 pounds. The organization also accepts cell phones and their batteries regardless of size, make, model, or age.
Check out 5 Things You Can Recycle (and 5 Things You Can’t) to learn more. The right way to recycle plastic and Do’s and Don’ts of Metal Can Recycling.