Every day, new kinds of gadgets are being released in the market. Most are updated versions of older devices that offer new features, optimized operations, and more conventional designs. Others are truly unique innovations that attempt to make our lives easier. Some others are just weird and gimmicky items plainly for one-time entertainment purposes.
With this, some gadgets that we have are being replaced or getting left behind as new technology renders them out of fashion or obsolete. When this happens, we open some options on how to remove them from our homes. Here are some of the steps that we should consider before throwing them in the trash.
Sell It
One option that can be of benefit to us is selling these old devices. Especially when the item is a relatively new model that we are replacing with a newer one, we can get back some of the cost of buying it by selling it to others. It is as easy as posting a photo of the device along with a price, description, and stats on an online reselling shop.
This can be an attractive buy for those that need a particular gadget but cannot afford brand new ones. Of course, it is essential that the price you put on your device takes into account how long and how much you’ve used it and the possible damages it obtained while in your possession.
Trade It In
If you are still looking for a device to replace your old one, you may consider trading it in either with the company that you purchased the item from or with specialized electronic stores that accept old devices and gives a discount for a new one.
The item you’ll trade in can be fixed if it is damaged or updated if that is all that’s necessary to make it work like new. This will be sold at a lower price, ultimately giving it new life with another owner. With this method, you don’t have to think about how to throw away your outdated gadget anymore while purchasing a different item at a discounted price.
Donate It
You can also donate old devices to charities. These kinds of charities can take in your devices so that you don’t have to dispose of them yourself. Many of these organizations fix broken or outdated items so that they can be used again by someone else who needs them more. But even when a device can no longer be repaired, some charities are still willing to accept it as they can salvage some usable parts and even the valuable metals in its mechanisms like silver and copper.
Properly Dispose of It
If the gadgets you want to get rid of are broken beyond repair or outdated that they are useless today, only then should you throw them away. But disposing of any electronic device should be done with care.
As we know, some gadgets and appliances contain materials and substances that may be harmful to the environment. Batteries of most kinds contain harmful metals like lithium, manganese, mercury, and other acids that are toxic to humans and wildlife. Refrigerants in some refrigerators also pose a threat as they can damage the ozone layer when released into the air.
Asking your trash dumpster service provider about the materials they can and cannot dispose of can help you. You can pick out these materials from your gadgets before putting them in the bin.
Important Notes
Before letting go of any device, you should always remember to back up your files no matter what method you choose from the ones mentioned above. You can then wipe clean the hard drive to prevent personal information and other sensitive data from being seen or used by someone else. Also, remember to transfer or deactivate software subscriptions if possible. This may let you reactivate your accounts and reuse personalized program settings on your new device.
Old technology may still serve some purpose to others if we don’t want them anymore. Most of these steps will take your device and fix it up to be resold for cheap. This will help not only other people to find something in their budget but also the environment to lessen the wastes that can negatively impact it.
The cycle will continue as our present gadgets will soon become outdated, and we will inevitably seek newer ones that will fill our growing needs. With this, it is crucial to always think about the best way to let go of old technology.
