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What's the Best Way to Recycle Old Tech in the US?

Posted by Zonk on from the reuse-for-reduction dept.

Tim Danhamn writes "SmartPlanet.com, a green-focused Web site, has put up an article about the best way to recycle your old tech, including local recycling centers and reusing old technology in other ways. I'm about to upgrade to a new PC and I have a lot of old radios, MP3 players and other electronic goods lying around the house. The article though is mostly about solutions in the UK, so I want to know - what is the best way to recycle old tech in the US?"

4 of 255 comments (clear)

  1. I know, I know! by east+coast · · Score: 5, Insightful

    what is the best way to recycle old tech in the US?

    EBay.

    Seriously, what better way to not trash something by getting what life (or parts) are left in it?

    People get some good money for hardly working/not working tech on EBay just for parts alone. And hell, you may have no use for that old P350 but someone else on there just might. Why not let them have it for a few bucks+shipping?

    --
    Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
  2. "Freecycle" by flaming+error · · Score: 5, Informative

    One great way is just to give it away to anyone who wants it. Try this link to Freecycle, where there's a list of groups for areas within the US and around the world.

  3. What I do by Lxy · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have a process for getting rid of old crap. The nice thing is I usually break even (or so).

    Step 1: Find a local hamfest. Hamfests are held all around the country. Keep an eye out for the bigger ones. There's one in my town once a year, and it's one of the bigger ones around. I nab a table for $10, load it up with old crap, and try to sell it cheap. Minus the cost of the table and gas, I usually make a hundred here. Don't get excited yet. You'll need that money.

    Step 2: Find a local recycling program. It just so happens that the county I live in has a recycling facility, and since their focus is not making money as much as it is proper disposal, they're the cheaper option. What I don't sell at hamfest gets taken there. Usually I ring up a good size bill, so financed by option 1 is a good thing.

    Step 3: Find food. With the $20 or so left over after all expenses are paid, go eat. Now you just emptied the basement, did so responsibly, and got pizza out of the deal.

    --

    There is no reasonable defense against an idiot with an agenda
    :wq
  4. Re:Damn by Critical+Facilities · · Score: 5, Funny
    OK, admittedly off topic, but in a very similar vein and for your amusement:

    Years ago, I was doing some HVAC work at an apartment community. This complex was made up of many buildings with several townhomes in each, all side by side. The electric meters for each townhome were grouped together on the back porch of one of the townhomes in each building. The particular condensing unit we were working on happened to be on the back porch where all the power meters were. While we were fixing it, the lady who lived in the house came out and asked us:

    "Is there any way to make that meter run slower? My "light bill" is too high."

    At this point, the other guy working with me (a real wise ass from NY) doesn't even skip a beat and says very matter of factly:

    "Oh yeah, just put a brick on top of the meter"

    Now it's all I can do to keep from laughing in her face at this point, but somehow I manage. She seems satisfied and goes back inside.

    About a week later, I go back to the same unit to check it out and make sure it's still working fine and EVERY SINGLE METER had a brick on top of it. I bet I laughed for an hour.