Found yourself with heaps of past-generation gadgetry? Instead of tossing them out with the trash, recycle. We’ll spare you the scolding, though discarding gadgets can be really hazardous, especially when it comes to leaking batteries – and give you the best tips for trading, recycling – even selling your old tech. That way, you can buy more. Carry on, techies.
General Recycling
Recycle your old gadgets and donate to charity. A non-profit collects unwanted gadgets that for value and donates the proceeds to charity, Recycling For Charities is an eco-friendly site with a “give back” mantra. Just round up your donation – the site accepts old cell phones, PDAs, iPods and digital cameras – and select the charity you’d like your donations to benefit, print out the ready-made shipping label and tax donation forms and ship. Easy.
(More on TIME.com: Bill Nye, The Science Guy, Goes Environmentally Conscious)
Get Something Back
Your drawer full of gizmos is likely just collecting dust; why not try your hand at making a little cash? Gazelle.com will help pad your wallet by selling your used gadgets. From cell phones to laptops to digital cameras, Gazelle accepts 22 different categories – and the best part: It’s simple. Just search for your gadget in Gazelle’s database to view its market value (the amount the site will pay you for it) and sign up for an account. If your item has no market value, Gazelle will recycle it for you. They’ll even send you a postage-paid box, freeing you from shipping costs.
Bonus: Most tech companies have their own do-good gadget recycling programs, though some are pretty limited. Check out Best Buy, eBay, Office Depot, Staples and Tobisha for more info on their programs.
(More on TIME.com: Recycling Old Electronics Can Pay Off)
Cell phones
Apple will take back your old iPhones free of charge. You can sign up online for a free mailer or postage label, but if you live close to an Apple store you can just drop off your old electronics with them. (If you donate your iPod as well, you get 10 percent off the price of a new one. It’s not much, but at least it’s something for a bit of technology you no longer use.) Other companies, such as Nokia and Samsung participate in recycling services.
(More on TIME.com: Beatles on iTunes: It’s Official)
However, most mobile phone retailers will take back your old phones for free. You can drop off your old phones at AT&T retailers, who will dispose of your product properly or use it in one of their causes, such as Cell Phones for Soldiers. The company gives your old cell phones to active duty overseas to help them connect with their families. Old Verizon phones go to the HopeLine program, which gives cell phones to organizations that help people in domestic abuse situations. T-Mobile will also take your old phones.
If you’re too far away from your local retailer or you can’t find your phone brand recycles phones, Call 2 Recycle locations will take any cell phone brand or type. They use old cell phone parts to make new products.
Computers
Dell is a big proponent of recycling your old computers. They participate in the EZTradein program, which allows you to trade in your old computer for some other gadget you might want. The company also ensures that they will wipe all your data, so you don’t have to worry about identity theft.
Another good deal comes from Apple. If your computer can be used still, Apple will give you a gift card to use at your store with the estimated value of your product. It might not be much, but at least it’s something.
Sony will also take your old computer and any of their products, and they have conveniently located boxes at some locations which sell their items. If you live in Virginia, West Virginia, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina or Hawaii, they’ll pay for you to ship your items back to them. Some of their home delivery plans, including Premiere in-home delivery, come with free disposal of your old unit.
(More on TIME.com: Rumor: Sony Preps PlayStation Phone with Android Guts)
Just in case you wanted to get rid of your printer too, HP takes your old ink cartridges and printers free of charge. Check out their website for details, and they’ll walk you through the process of getting a prepaid label to send your items.