I got a box full of a bunch of stuff from over the years. Some big, some small, some expensive, some cheap. It seems like a shame to throw it all in a landfill, with or without personal data.

  • NeedingvsGetting@kbin.social
    71·
    7 months ago

    PLEASE don’t send e-waste to a landfill!! There are components of e-waste that, if disposed of improperly, can add hazardous pollutants to your air and water, like mercury and beryllium.

    If you want to make sure it’s disposed of properly, google e-waste + your area, and look for programs run by your local or state/provincial government

  • Fake4000@lemmy.worldEnglish
    41·
    7 months ago

    Obviously the easiest thing to do is fine use for some of these stuff. For example:

    Old phones can be repurposed into MP3 players or podcast players

    Tablets can be used as eBook readers, video players, or smart home terminals.

    If non of those things can be used, then I would try and sell them. You can always find someone who is looking for spare parts online.

    If they are not sold, I would open them up and extract whatever can be used. Then sort them into recyclable and unrecyclable categories and dispose of them responsibly. Don’t forget the batteries, dispose of them correctly please.

    • Corroded@leminal.spaceEnglish
      2·
      7 months ago

      Adding to your list some devices have open source projects that breath new life into them. For example an old kinect for an Xbox 360 can be used for motion tracking on a PC and, if I recall correctly, a webcam.

      Another example is the LeapFrog Leapster GS running RetroArch.

      A lot of it can be just fun novelty projects to do throughout a weekend

  • dick_stitches@lemm.eeEnglish
    2·
    7 months ago

    Search for electronics recycling in your area. They’ll take stuff for free or a small fee, depending on what it is. They’ll dissect the stuff and reuse all the components

  • tygerprints@kbin.social
    2·
    7 months ago

    Yeah good question. What do I do with my Apple PowerMac from back in the day? I’ve held onto it because, well - I like it. But I really don’t use it for any actual computing - mostly to play old Mac games and watch Star Trek screensavers (!). I hate to give it up but I have no room to set it up anymore.

    • SeaJ@lemm.eeEnglish
      6·
      7 months ago

      I know you are joking but in case others do not know: DO NOT DO This.