What to do With Old Electronics

Once on the verge of the newest technology wave, electronics are bound to become old, and useless. To avoid being cornered by several “smartphones”, old TV sets and even desktop computers in full-state, you must renounce some of these gadgets, especially when thinking of getting something new. But, as you may hint, throwing a dusted gadget away is not the best solution, neither for the environment, nor for your pocket.

Considering the fact that used electronic device contains a lot of earth-threatening materials, such as lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury, these elements will pollute the environment and make the world a messier place. Another thing to consider is the price of these equipments, which although they seem to value next to nothing, you might get a buck or two out of them. So, why throw something useful away, when you can find a greater purpose to it?

What to do with Older Gadgets

There are many variants when it comes to discarding old equipment, but today we are going to talk about donating the gear, selling for the best price you can, trade it in for a new gadget, recycle the bugger or, even upgrade if possible.

Where to sell old devices

For me personally, selling is the best idea for a dusty device, and I frequently use this tactic to get rid of unworthy gadgets. There are several places where you can do it, and amongst the most notable, you can find eBay, Craiglist and Amazon, in that order. I often do my bidding on eBay, usually post it on Craiglist and seldom use A to Z.
Before you start thinking about selling, you must asses the state, and current desire of the device. Although older gadgets like the first iPad or older smartphones may find an owner or two, if their age has passed the five-year line you can skip to the methods below.
Unless they are items wanted for collection, like a first generation iPhone, a Palm Pre or other stuff like that.
Depending on the initial value of the electronic, and its current condition, selling prices may sell for a nice sum. Do not expect to get pretty much though, because the value in this niche drops rapidly. Another advice before selling would be to ask for a reasonable sum and if you have no clue where to start, check ongoing actions first or websites like Priceonomics.com.
Moreover, you can try local pawn shops too, where people vouch for loans with equipment and abandon them for money. A second alternative would be to opt for online shops specialized in acquiring old stuff, like the ones listed below:

• Gazelle: a dealer specialized in the purchase of used Apple products, which also accepts some models from third party vendors. They provide pretty nice sums if the device is in a working state and offer bonuses for those who bring friends.
• NextWorth: specialized in buying back iPhones, iPads and other Apple products, this source also accepts cameras of all types, e-readers, game consoles and other products of that family.
• ReCelluar: this re-seller will accept older phone models, like the Nokia 5000 and other sibling of this millennium.
• EcoATM: if you have the fortune to live near one of these babies, you must know that the street-based ATMs will accept old phones and MP3 players and will offer money in exchange, basing on the device origin and current condition – check the website for an ATM map.

Trade it in

Some retailers accept older smartphones of the same origin in exchange for a voucher, to be used on the next purchase. I remember RIM doing something similar last year, where everyone interesting into newer models would receive a $50 gift card if they would drop a pre-owned BlackBerry phone. Unfortunately, you were explicitly required to show up with a BlackBerry.
The habit may also be encountered in carriers worldwide, where the best example that I think about right now is Vodafone. Last season, they had an offer where you’ve received $10 for any working phone, no matter how old and in what state, and you could have gathered up to three, before signing a new contract.
The trend also extends to bigger devices like TV sets and tablets, especially when it comes to Apple. The Cupertino-based company has a trade-in program which offers owners store credit, in exchange of legacy devices. Moreover, Amazon likes to return Kindle tablets back to their rightful place, so you’ve got a shot there too. Other retailers like Best Buy, Game Stop, Target and Radio Shack are member of this club.

Upgrade and make it better

Some products don’t necessarily have to be discarded and may kick a couple of years more if you upgrade them. Computers, for example, are the best products for this category.
Usually, an older computer is replaced when it becomes too slow for current applications or for the owner needs. Although there are some methods which can be used to speed it up, you can consider upgrading the mainboard with a couple more RAM boards, a faster processor, a better graphic card or even a solid-state drive.
The first thing you need to do is to assess your needs, think about what you are going to require from a machine like that and start planning your upgrade. Those wishing to boost their PC just a touch can add a RAM board up to their maximum limit. This limit is usually defined by the mainboard itself, and the number of slots it has. When purchasing RAMs, you will have to pay attention to the working frequency and your Windows version, as some variants will not detect the extra boost. For more on the upgrading matter, say hello to our little guide.

Sell for pieces

It may seem awkward but in some cases, selling a device for its pieces, to separate buyers, will get you more cash than selling for full. For example, my old Nokia 5000 can be sold today for around $25, which is not so much. But, if I would have the time to split it and sell the bugger for its components, I would get a lot more. For example, only the display can be sold for around $15, I could probably get around $7 for the charger, $3 for the headset and so on. Investing time will bring money back.
Another theory targets computers, and the lack of some legacy components, in special. For example, targeting the same RAM category we’ve spoken above, some people still use machines with DDR1, a type of RAM which is no longer produced in good numbers and which became very expensive, over the years. So, for someone wishing to upgrade an older computer with that type of RAM memory, the costs of the move will be somewhat high so, they will scout the 2nd-hand market for options. Opportunities like that will bring you money.

Donate to the needy

A $25 old cellphone may not mean much for you, but it may make a difference for someone that does not have a phone yet. There are various services that can help you donate an old gadget, be it a classic TV, a legacy phone or otherwise. Here are the best that we could find:

• Dell Reconnect – a project started by Dell in collaboration with Goodwill to reuse old computers and to salvage what they can out of it. Reconnect runs in several US states, with a location map being showcased on their official website, in which you can see exactly if a center is near you.
• Salvation Army – notorious for their donation programs, the Salvation Army can take used computer and other various electronics off your head.
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – accepts cellphone for women in need
• Cellphones for Soldiers – a program which targets old militaries.
• 911 Cell Phone Bank – distributes handsets for those that do not have one and may be in jeopardy once.
• Computers for Kinds – a program which accepts old TVs, circuit cards, cabling, monitors, computers, printers and much more, with the goal of reusing the gear and help kids get an education.
• eBay Giving Works – this program will donate a part of your auction price to a charity firm, at your choice.

Recycle

Last, and certainly least, you should think about recycling. There are several dangerous elements for the environment, which can do a lot of harm when discarded improperly. There are several hazardous elements which once released in the wild, may do a lot of bad things. For instance, batteries and TV monitors are the worst. Recycling may be done, properly, with the help of the following services:

• Municipal programs
• Commercial recyclers
• Take-back programs
• Earth911.org
• A list of all retailers that accept recycling