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What to Do with Old Technology

The following post is from Michelle of Mommy Misadventures: What to Do with Old Technology

Today’s consumer technology advancements mean that many of us are on a constant upgrading treadmill, moving on to the latest and greatest mobile device/printer/laptop/desktop, etc. But what to do with your “old” technology?

Here are a few tips to help you get the most use out of your “old” tech.

Hand it down.

Chances are that the “old” technology you’re upgrading from probably has plenty of life left. This is true for most computers less than three years old and mobile devices made within the past two to three years. Passing along your not-so-new devices down to a family member or friend who doesn’t need to be bleeding edge current is a great way to extend the useful life of your old device.

Resell.

While you’ll never get the original full market value for your items, selling your old technology is a good way to make a little extra cash. High-demand items like the latest generation of Apple products and higher-end digital cameras and lenses are easier to sell than others. If you have a business and looking to sell some of your used industrial equipment,
you can contact a dealer that will help you output your on-sale equipment.

Donate.

Charitable organizations will often take donations of computer equipment. In the era of school budget cuts, donating your older but usable computer equipment to a school seems like a great idea. But before you donate your equipment, confirm that the organization will accept the pieces you are donating.

Refill.

Printer ink cartridges are ridiculously expensive. Rather than throw them away, opt to refill them for a fraction of the cost. You can do this with a printer ink refill kit or take them to a store that will do the refilling for you.

Recycle.

Major retailers like Target and Best Buy often have in-store recycling receptacles for small electronics like cell phones and tablets as well as spent ink cartridges. If you have a newer Apple product, Apple offers a recycling program where you can get store credit for a new Apple computer or device in exchange for your old one.

Dispose of E-Waste.

During spring cleaning this month, I unearthed more than a few desktop computers as well as a box full of cables, video cards, peripheral devices, and hard drives. These clunkers are so obsolete that they are not worth repurposing, selling, or donating to anyone.

Computers, printers, and other peripherals are considered electronics waste (e-waste) and cannot be disposed of in your usual garbage pickup for environmental reasons. Every waste management district handles e-waste differently: some have drop-off centers available year-round, while others have seasonal drop-off events. Contact your local waste management service to find out what the e-waste disposal guidelines are in your area.
Schools and organizations sometimes have e-waste collection events that benefit the organization. Ask your community to learn more about your area’s e-waste collection events.

What’s your favorite way of dealing with your old devices?

Michelle Mista is an IT professional, writer and blogger with a love for all kinds of technology. She writes about tech tips and trends for work at home professionals on her portfolio blog and muses about motherhood at Mommy Misadventures. She is on the constant quest to balance life, work and geekery.