Has your home become a retirement community for old computers and cell phones? Do you want to get rid of some of your old electronics, but have no idea where to take them?
Every community seems to have different rules about disposing of electronics. Some cities have completely banned throwing out electronic devices, while others have no other options than the trash for disposing of electronics.
So what’s a girl with a collection of cell phones dating back to 1997 to do?
Take inventory of all of the electronics and appliances you’d like to get rid of. List it all, from iPods to empty deep freezers that have seen better days. Then, it’s time to get on the phone and figure out what services and rules your community has to offer.
- Call your city, town, or county’s waste management company. For most people, this will be the same company that picks up your trash. Tell them about the stuff you want to “recycle” or get rid of, and see what they tell you. Hopefully you will be able to talk to a real person, but if not…
- Call your local charities, and see if they’d be able to use anything from your list. They may participate in special recycling programs that would allow them to earn money for their organization by recycling your donated electronics. You’d be recycling, donating, and fundraising all at the same time. How very nice of you!
- Call the nearest Best Buy. Again, read them your list, and ask them if you can “recycle” your electronics at the store. It’s a little-known secret that Best Buy has a free recycling program. They don’t take everything, but they’ll probably be able to take that Apple IIe off your hands.
- Research the possibility of trading in your new-ish electronics. Gazelle has a trade-in program for cell phones that is worth checking out. You might be able to make a little cash off of your old electronics, and you won’t have to worry about someone stealing information off of your old phones.
- Post the items on your Facebook page, and see if any of your local friends could use the items from your list. You could give them the items for free if they pick them up from your house.
- Sell your items on Craigslist, OfferUp, or Facebook. This is kind of a pain, and there are always concerns about the safety of selling things to strangers. I don’t recommend this solution, but it is a possibility.
Do you have any other ideas for getting rid of old electronics?
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Great list! I love the idea of asking friends on Fb if they want them. Just because you don’t know a charity doesn’t mean they don’t!
Thanks, Lauren!
you can also donate old cell phones to Verizon. They have a program that provides cell phone to kids and victims of domestic violence.
Good to know! Thanks, Meredith.
Ya’ll have a lot of great ideas on your site! There is one other idea I would like to suggest. I am a retired preschool teacher, and old electronic devices are great props for several different areas of a preschool classroom! Old phones can be used in just about any learning center as a good source of number recognition. They also are helpful in building a child’s vocabulary and self esteem through role play. A take-a-part box in the science center or block centers is a great way for children to see how things are put together and how they come apart. It is wonderful for working on fine motor skills. All the little nuts and bolts, little pieces of wire, micro chips, and springs that are removed are great to add to the art center for art projects, put them with the play dough to add details and impressions, or used to make I spy bottles by adding them to empty water bottles filled with rice. Just call your local child care centers or talk to your child’s teachers about it. Who knows maybe they haven’t thought of this and you could clear out your clutter and help children learn something in the process. ?Remember to cut off the power cords before you take them in.
This could also be a great project for your husband and your child to do at home. I mean, most men love to tinker and take things apart under the “Oh, I can fix that” claim, when all they really what to do is open it up and take it apart! So when the microwave or the DVD player dies put it in a box with some tools ?(big and small), goggles, some baggies or small containers for all of the little bits and pieces, grab your camper and let the good times roll! When they are done just take it to the dump or it may just fit in the trash now.?
Extend the activity by having your child create an Art Collage to hang on the wall out of some of the part. ?
Hi Penny! Those are some awesome ideas! I know my kiddos loved playing with our old phones when they were younger. Thanks for sharing with us – really neat ideas! 🙂
Thank you for sharing! Recycling old electronics is a great idea, and it is definitely not the best to just throw them in the garbage even if it isn’t banned.