We’ll demonstrate how to recycle everything, including washing machines and obsolete phones.

What do you do with your old phone now that you have a brand-new one? Eventually, your e-waste begins to accumulate, despite the temptation to put it in a garbage drawer or chuck it into a corner. You’ll soon need to decide where to get rid of your old technology.

You shouldn’t throw your outdated appliances and phones in the trash or, worse, your home gadget graveyard just because you no longer need them. We all have different reasons for keeping obsolete technology in our homes, but there are several methods to turn them into security cameras and other smart home accessories. You may even be eligible to receive some cash back for your phone, depending on its age and condition.

Regardless of the technology, there are several incorrect ways to get rid of your old devices when the time comes to say goodbye. We will demonstrate which is which.

Do this first before recycling your gadget.

Before you sell or donate an outdated smartphone, be sure all of its data has been correctly erased. Make a backup of all the data on the device, including pictures, movies, and music, and then reset it to factory defaults.

Where to recycle gadgets and phones

These are the top locations for recycling, repurposing, or revitalizing outdated technology. Some places may accept big items like washing machines and exercise cycles in addition to modest gadgets like phones.

The Best Purchase

Best Buy typically takes three things per residence each day and accepts a wide variety of electronic devices. You may verify using the website’s state-specific recycling information dropdown menu, however specifics may differ according on where you reside.

For bigger equipment like TVs, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, treadmills, and exercise cycles, Best Buy also has a haul-away option. Best Buy will remove your old item for recycling if you have bought a new one. Additionally, there is a $200 stand-alone haul-away option. With a few exceptions, you can have an infinite number of minor objects and two large ones removed.

TVs, cables and chargers, media players, projectors, laptops, hard drives, webcams, cell phones, calculators, radios, landlines, headsets, vacuums, fans, ink and toner cartridges, alarm clocks, speaker systems, e-readers, video game consoles, memory cards, camcorders, digital cameras, and GPS units are among the items that Best Buy is able to recycle.

The staples

Additionally, Staples, an office supplies retailer, provides free recycling choices for outdated devices. Each consumer may bring up to seven things to Staples each day. Additionally, the business offers prepaid address labels, driver and pallet pickup, and haul-away services.

Accessories, adapters, cables, computers, cell phones, cordless phones, digital cameras, laptops, routers, tablets, webcams, ink and toner, and other office technology may all be recycled at Staples.

The Home Depot

On its website, Home Depot provides information on how to properly dispose of gadgets, old paint, dead batteries, and other materials. It also offers upcycling and repurposing advice. RecycleStuff.org states that only residential clients are eligible for the drop-off services.Home Depot takes rechargeable household batteries, mobile phones, LED light bulbs, lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and household alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V), according to RecycleStuff.org.

Environmental Protection Agency of the United States

The EPA has a helpful guide that makes it easy to get the information you need, but it doesn’t handle recycling and drop-offs the same way other businesses do. Donations and recycling are broken down by electronic equipment, firm name, logo, and any other information in the EPA directory.

You may recycle and give mobile devices, PCs, TVs, imaging equipment, and supplies, according to the EPA’s database, which again connects you to individual businesses and their policies.

Coalition for Electronics Take-Back

The Electronics Take-Back Coalition, like the EPA, makes it simple to locate take-back programs offered by US manufacturers. The take-back program descriptions of over 25 businesses, including Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, and Sony, are available for perusal.

Although it does not manage recycling, the Electronics Take-back Coalition can point you in the direction of the best resource for your requirements.

Items that can be recycled include cameras, computers, DVD and VHS players, iPads, iPhones, keyboards, mouse, monitors, printers, cellphones, and televisions, depending on the firm.

Recycling of Smartphones

You may obtain a recycling kit or create a free FedEx mailing label with Smartphone Recycling. Depending on the age and condition of the gadget, you may even receive payment for shipping your old smartphone. You must mail a minimum of ten devices since Smartphone Recycling accepts smartphones in bulk. You may be able to reach this quota on your own, depending on how long you have been stockpiling phones. If not, consult your family and friends and work together.

Items that can be recycled: Apple Watches, mobile phones, iPads, iPhones, iPods, MacBooks, smartphones, tablets, and batteries that are affixed to or installed in gadgets are all eligible for smartphone recycling.

EcoATM

You may use the IMEI number of your old phone to lock in the pricing estimate that EcoATM provides on the mobile app. Before producing a quote, EcoATM will inquire about your device’s brand, model, memory, carrier, and condition. You may then go to one of the organization’s kiosks in Walmart, Kroger, or Dollar General.

What you can recycle: Motorola phones, Samsung smartphones and tablets, LG phones and tablets, MP3 players, Google Pixel phones, and ZTE phones may all be recycled with EcoATM. Chargers and mobile phone accessories, such as cases, can also be recycled, but you won’t get compensated for them.

Recycling for Nonprofits

Technology contributions are accepted by Recycling for Charities, which donates a portion of the device’s worth to the charity of your choice. Navigate through a list of organizations, pick one, fill out the necessary details, and click “Donate.” Your stuff can bring in anything from 25 cents to $100 for charities.

Digital cameras, iPhones, iPods, Palm Pilots, PDAs, wireless mobile phones and their batteries, and wireless pagers are among the items that can be recycled.

Make a Call to Recycle

Call2Recycle is a recycling initiative that focuses on batteries. The group provides shipment boxes for batteries and cell phones, as well as drop-off locations at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples. Drop-offs are free, however depending on size, shipping boxes and recycling kits range in price from $45 to $115.

Items that can be recycled: Rechargeable batteries up to 11 pounds in weight, including lithium-ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, nickel zinc, and small sealed lead acid batteries. Additionally, single-use batteries up to 11 pounds in weight, including AA, AAA, 9V, C, D, and button cell batteries, are accepted by Call2Recycle. Cell phones of any size, brand, model, or age, along with the batteries that go with them, are also accepted by the group.