Bio-Friendly Electronic Recycling Centers
Garbage or Untapped Potential?
Eight Options to Choose From
There are plenty of firms in the US who specialize in electronics disposal. Either they will take the old one off your hands (like a trade) when you purchase a new one, or they will coordinate with disposal companies that offer free shipping. Some even provide packing materials to make it all that much easier.
In this Hub you will discover eight options to choose from when recycling or simply getting rid of your old TV, game console, stereo, cell phone or oldie - moldie computer monitor. Some even offer rebates and coupons on your next purchase, so instead of just "dumping" let's do the right thing for future generations. One firm even plants a tree in your name! (see below)
Pack it up and Bring it in
Best Buy
Best Buy gets a thumbs up for being both consumer friendly and bio-friendly. They seem to offer one of the best deals around: Not only will they pick up your dead (or barely alive) old appliance, they will dispose it, recycle it as well as the batteries, any cartridges and other disposable electronic parts.
Other items, like computer hardware, fax machines and other pieces of equipment can be brought in during the store's periodic recycling events. Just bring them in and drop them off.
Costco
Using Green Sight as its disposal company, you can use Costco as the middle man. Pack up your old computer and TV set. Bulk store credit is granted for your recyclables, enabling you a price reduction through redeemable "Costco Dollars" . If there is an item they won't or can0't recycle, they will point you in the direction of other firm who repurchase wholesale recycling items, happy to move it to its ideal final resting place.
Gazelle
Gazelle
If too many old cellular phones and other electronic devices are cluttering your home. Gazelle will help you get rid of them. They also accept old gaming consuls, Blue Ray DVDs and other young dinosaurs that have become recently obsolete. They always offer free shipping, and usually a free box for shipping them back. They will cut you a check and deposit it to your Pay Pal account, or you may choose a registered charity to donate the proceeds to, if you wish.
Gazelle Gives Cash Back
- Sell Used Electronics, Trade In and Recycle Electronics - Gazelle
Get cash for used smartphones and electronics. Sell and trade in iPhones, iPads, Macbooks and other Apple products. Free shipping and fast payment!
Ink Cartridges and Batteries
Office Depot
Old ink and toner cartridges can be brought in to the store for a $3 coupon on future cartridge purchases.
Batteries
Many stores like Best Buy, Target and other retailers provide a Battery Disposal box where you can bring in your old, used up batteries. It is not advisable to throw them in the trash can, they may ooze acid and cause health and biological problems.
Donate Your Computer
The National Cristina Foundation
This non-profit organization, is the middleman for schools and other organizations that need computers. They even provide computer training as a side line. If you have a piece of equipment that is no longer current but still works, the Cristina Foundation would be interested.
As a courtesy, they will even come to pick it up in all of the 50 states.
The Cristina Foundation
- Welcome - National Cristina Foundation
The Cristina Foundation is a nonprofit organization that matches donated computer equipment with needy schools and nonprofit organizations around the world.
Be Direct - Do a Google Search
Go Direct to the Source
Go online to research your manufacturer's recycling program. Some firms really go the distance, picking up your obsolete item at the door, like Dell Computer. Others offer credits and reimburse you for shipping costs, even when you ship a competitor's model to them. (These are usually resold to electronic components stores and repair shops.
Do a Google search and find out what's offered directly by the manufacturer.
Old Cell Phones, iPads and more
Flip Swap will Plant a Tree in Your Name
Specializing in handheld phones and IPod’s, just enter your zip code to find the nearest recycling spot where you can get cash back for your phone. Flip swap will send you a check for about $30 for your old phone and plant a tree in your name. If you prefer, the check can be sent to the charity of your choice.
Flip Swap
- Sell or Trade in your Old iPhone or Cell phones | Flipswap
Help Reduce eWaste on Earth, Sell or Trade In Your Cell Phone, iPhone, iPad, or Smartphone With Fast & Free Shipping. Visit Flipswap.com To See How Much Your Cell Phone or iPhone Is Worth.
Drawer Full of Mobitels
Barter Your Gadget to Someone Else
Freecycle
Its name means Free-Cycle (free - recycling) and that's how they operate. When you're done with your favorite gadget, simply list your item and wait for someone else to express an interest in it. You pass it on and the cycle of usage continues. It really works!
In the US, UK, Canada, Australia...
- United Kingdom (UK) Freecycle Groups' Homepage
Freecycle groups match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them, and so keeping usable items out of landfills.
Modern Technology as History
Goodwill Industries
- Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
We help people earn a living, improve their lives, and strengthen their families and their communities.
Donations - an Impetus for Training and Resale
Reconnect / Goodwill Industries
Reconnect is a business partner to Goodwill. Your donated computer, printer, scanner and so on will be used in a variety of new ways.
First be sure to delete any and all personal data off your hard drive; Eraser and Kill Disk are just two ways, look online for free software to download.
The students will repair or disassemble your donated item, selling the valuable parts to an electronics component store and refurbishing the computers with resale potential. This enhances the job program, training centers and retail outlets, something like a triple win-win. On top of that, you get a legal tax deduction.
This is a great place to buy a first computer to your high school student. Some even come with a limited guarantee.
Comments
AUTHORSo much has changed in recent years, and I must say, its for the better. Thanks for commenting :)
In my neighborhood they have special pick up for electronic and if they see that you are throwing out electronics you get a small fine.
- AUTHOR
- Glad you liked it, chef-de-jour. I can relate to what you said about your high tech printer. Keeping up with technology is not easy, the only good news is that the cost is going down. That's why the dinosaurs need new homes - and hopefully not in the land fill. Thanks for commenting, Ecal.
- Don't feel embarrassed, Sharyn, glad you asked so I would have something to write about. I didn't know about this until a couple of months ago, myself. Hope you find the "best" way to dispose of your computer. All the best, Anastasia
Excellent Ecal! Thank you so much for answering my question. I honestly did not know what to do with my old computer. It's obviously not as big of a "headache" as I originally thought. I'm kind of embarrassed that I have a Best Buy about 5 miles away. And I love the idea of the Cristina Foundation, that is awesome. All these suggestions are great, thank you!
Sharyn
Incredible how fast this high tech industry moves! I recall using a dinosaur mobile only a few years ago, and the printer which I thought chic (HP deskjet something or other) had become as slow as a ninety year old with a stick crossing a busy highway.....
It's great that we're recycling all of this stuff and using the bits that we need to again, and again.
Good useful hub that outlines the basics. Voted up.
5