How to Recycle Dead Gadgets

by Phillip Crandall — Apr 19th 2007 at 12:57PM

Grandmas get Boca Raton, but most gadgets aren't fortunate enough to live out their last days in the sun. According to the EPA, those electronics that don't rest in peace (or pieces) at the bottom of a drawer end up cramped in a landfill with the other 4.6 million tons of electronic waste that are dumped each year. Fortunately, there's a home for most any device to expire with dignity.

Computers

How to Recycle Dead Gadgets

Most of the major computer manufacturers offer a recycling program for their own systems -- as well as their competitor's systems -- through their Web sites. At ComputerTakeBack.com, you can see each plan spelled out alongside any sweet trade-in incentives that manufacturers, and even some retailers, are offering. Just be sure to thoroughly erase the data on your hard drive, though.

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Tags: breaking+news, Green, Recycling, Earth Day, Green,Recycling,EarthDay, top

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

ahow628 said 2:25PM on 4-22-2008

If you are a Costco Member (and perhaps even if you are not, I'm not sure) you can go to the following site:

http://www.greensight.com/CostcoTrades/Common/equiptypes.aspx?SiteXfrMsg=1

They will give you a Costco gift card if you send in computers, PDAs, Cameras, and other gadgets. CRT monitors, printers, and fax machines can be sent in but no gift card is given.

momma bear said 3:38PM on 4-22-2008

Call your local Girl Scout Council (www.gsusa.org) and find out if they are recycling computer ink catridges. They only make a few pennies but it helps!

Fulvite said 12:11PM on 9-16-2008

Remember to remove all contacts from those cells before donating them, and and saved text's. A factory restore should make this quick.

Smokey said 8:51PM on 4-19-2007

Great info we all can use. Good article with great links.
Thanks

lori said 9:08PM on 4-19-2007

That was great info...!!Stuff we NEED to know.

Lori
www.lalalips.com

Fonya said 9:37PM on 4-19-2007

HOW do I "thoroughly erase the data on (my) hard drive", when it has crashed?

Lauren said 10:26PM on 4-19-2007

How do you actually thoroughly erase the data in your hard drive to be sure no one can retrieve it. I have everything on my computer from shopping lists to social security number, bank accounts, credit card numbers, passcodes, etc. Thanks

Dan said 11:22PM on 4-19-2007

Popular Mechanics just had an artical on that last month. They said to take the drive out, drill holes in it and then sandpaper the face.

Ilene said 11:23PM on 4-19-2007

All the old discarded cell phones are on e-bay

Kristina said 11:41PM on 4-19-2007

I checked out the return policy for my old computer. The company expected it to be more intact. I had upgraded some of the hardware and would need to put back the old stuff to return it. I also had gutted it pretty good when I bought a new one. Keeping the hard drive. Taking what is left of the old one to a thrift store. it will be up to them to do what they want with it.Read the recycle policy carefully and don't throw out any parts in case you might need them later.

Jennifer said 12:12AM on 4-20-2007

Good one Fonya! I have always wondered that as well...!!!!!!!

Mindy said 12:12AM on 4-20-2007

If you live near Lane County in Oregon, you can give ANY electronics to NextStep Recycling (2101 W. 10th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402). They have a zero waste model for reusing and recycling. If computers can be refurbished, they are gifted to underserved community members or sold very cheaply (with a warranty) in their thrift store. They are a nonprofit organization that is committed to bridging the digital divide and protecting the environment.

judi said 12:45AM on 4-20-2007

ummmmmmmm...........airhead that i am, i gave my pc to friend(?) and less than a month later someone tried to get into my checking account! thank heavens for their security!
(i had paid him once by check!)

bybeecrystal said 1:07AM on 4-20-2007

I seen at my local verizon store a recycling bin set up for cell phones that got towards helping battered women. I am not exactly sure how but it seems worth checking out.

crystal said 12:56AM on 4-20-2007

I seen a recycling bin at my local verizon dealer for old cell phones. The sign said the cell phones go towards helping battered women. I didn't find out just how, but I am going to definitly going to!

justme said 5:45PM on 4-14-2009

The cellphones are activated for emergency use (911) and distributed to battered women for added security. That way they can contact the police immediately if necessary.

Darlene said 1:12AM on 4-20-2007

TO CRYSTAL--- ITS NOT SEEN ITS SAW THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS USE PROPER ENGLISH

xyla said 1:50AM on 4-20-2007

I accidently erased everything on my hard drive by pressing f10. I believe that would work when wanting to recycle a computer.

rwm said 1:45AM on 4-20-2007

Darlene - Your point would be stronger if you didn't shout at poor Crystal, and if you yourself did not make a punctuation error.

xyla said 1:54AM on 4-20-2007

When I used f10 to erase the hard drive it brought the computer back the way it was the day I bought it. All the icons that was on then were back on the computer.

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'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

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Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

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