This Christmas, there were reportedly nearly 7 million new Android and iOS activations (between December 24 and December 25), which was largely a result of smartphone gift-giving. As a result, we're also going to guesstimate that there are now approximately 7 million out-of-service cell phones lying around. (Give or take.) Not a new smartphone owner? Maybe instead you're one of the many people to receive a new Kindle Fire this Christmas, making that old netbook of yours officially a brick.
Regardless of what fancy new tech item you might have received, it stands to reason that you now have an older, unused counterpart sitting around collecting dust. Why not repurpose it? We don't mean you should paper maché the chassis, but rather, how about donating, recycling, or even exchanging your old tech for some cold hard cash?
Get Money for Your Old Tech Goods
If the devices you're looking to get rid of are in relatively good working condition, you may be able to earn some money in the process. Gazelle, the champion of "reCommerce," aims to prevent e-waste by offering cash for old goods and keeping working products in use. Just input the model and quality of your electronics, and they'll quickly offer you a quote for your unwanted gadgets. They accept cameras and lenses, desktops and laptops, e-readers, GPS units, monitors, projectors, video games, and even orphaned chargers (for recycling).
As it turns out, your would-be coaster / dust-collector might be worth more than you think: Depending on the condition, an Xbox 360 250GB console can earn you up to $97, an Amazon Kindle Touch up to $65, and the now discontinued 13" MacBook, up to $253. (These prices are based on like-new condition with most accessories.) With prepaid shipping (and your choice of carriers: USPS, UPS, or FedEx), plus the option of how you receive your refund (via PayPal, check, or in the form of a gift card to Walmart or Amazon), Gazelle is a one-stop shop for recycling your electronics. And while it's likely the most well-known, there's also NextWorth, which offers near identical services.
There are also many online stores that will buy back old items, like Amazon (which will give you store credit for used video games), while others offer recycling incentives. HP, Sony, and Toshiba, for example, all offer trade-in credits and recycling programs. And if you long ago beat Guitar Hero (on Expert, of course), then you can scout out new tunes with a store credit from GameStop. The store takes old/unwanted/beaten video games, and will offer an extra 50% in-store credit when you trade in for other pre-owned games.
Past its Prime? Make Sure to Recycle Properly
Electronics can be recycled for almost all of their components, from metals, plastics, glass, and more. There are more local, manufacturer, and retailer recycling programs that you'd think. New York City alone is serviced by six EPA-approved recycling programs, and they pick up!
While some stores (like Target) make it easy to recycle your small electronics, recycling larger items might cost you. Steer clear of both Staples and Office Depot, as the former charges a $10 processing fee for in-store recycling of computers, monitors, printers, and other large items. Office Depot encourages electronics recycling in schools and offices, but will charge you anywhere from $5 to $15 for a box that you can fill up with unwanted and broken electronics, which you then bring back to the store to be processed.
Your best bet for recycling larger consumer appliances is with a local organization. Greener Gadgets offers a list of nationwide manufacturer, retailer, and certified eCycling programs in your area.Handheld electronics, on the other — erm — hand, including cell phones, PDAs, and the like, can easily be dropped off for recycling at a number of retail locations (like Tagret, Staples, and Best Buy). What's more, cellular carrier stores, including AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile offer consumers their choice of in-store drop off or pre-printed shipping labels that make for quick and easy returns, free of charge.
Give New Life to Old Tech With Donations
Perhaps you have a working item in your possession, but you're feeling charitable and would rather forgo cash for a donation. There are numerous established organizations that will take old items and repurpose them for a good cause. Doesn't the idea of letting school children use your old computer sound nice? The Environmental Protection Agency is a good resource to find a local organization to unload your old electronics, as is eBay's Rethink Initiative page.
Or, if you're a fan of the aforementioned Gazelle, you can contribute your earned electronics-recycling refund to one of 40 charities, from the Easter Seals to the YMCA. In some cases, this is probably nicer than passing off an old deskjet printer, scanner, or brick cell phone.
Regardless of when you choose to unclutter your eLife gadgets, we hope that you all recycle that dot matrix, trade out your old video games, allow someone else to reuse your old laptop, and even cash-in on your old TV for parts. Reuse and repurposing is the best way to unclutter your technological life, and reduce e-waste.
Front page photo credit: NextWorth
Photo credits top to bottom: KStreet Kate, BW Recycling and Simpla Life
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