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Spring Cleaning Pro Tip: Recycle Tech and Gadgets You Don’t Use Anymore

Cleaning out the clutter in your home? Here’s what to do instead of throwing your old gadgets away.

Thinking of spring cleaning? Whether you’re finally cleaning up the junk drawer or upgrading your tech, don’t condemn your old device to your in-home gadget graveyard — or worse, the garbage. We all hang onto outdated tech for our own reasons, but there are also multiple ways to repurpose old devices for your smart home, using them as security cameras and more.

Whatever the tech, when it’s finally time to say goodbye, there’s a right way to dispose of your old gadgets — and there are a lot of wrong ways. We’ll show you which is which.

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What to do before you get rid of a device

When you’re finished with a gadget, make sure it’s also finished with you. Make sure to back up anything you want off the device — photos, videos, songs — and then perform a factory reset. Here are a few CNET articles to help clarify the finer points of wiping a device:

Here are the best places here in the US to recycle, repurpose or give new life to your old technology.

How to recycle smartphones 

Smartphone Recycling lets you print a free FedEx shipping label or request a recycling kit. Ship your old smartphone and you might even get paid, depending on the device’s condition and age. Smartphone Recycling accepts devices in bulk, so you have to ship a minimum of 10. Depending on how long you’ve been hoarding phones, you might meet this quota on your own. If not, check with friends and family and make it a group effort.

Two smartwatches and five older phonesTwo smartwatches and five older phones

If you succumbed to the siren song of the newest gadget, even if your current device wasn’t on its last leg, we’re not here to judge.

Woot/Screenshot by CNET

What you can recycle: Smartphone Recycling accepts smartphones, cell phones, MacBooks, tablets, iPhones, iPads, iPods and Apple Watches, as well as batteries attached or installed in devices.

Best Buy 

Best Buy accepts a wide range of tech products and generally takes three items per house per day. Specifics may vary depending on where you live, but you can check with the state-specific recycling information dropdown menu on the site.

Best Buy also offers a haul-away option for larger appliances like TVs, dishwashers, freezers, microwaves, treadmills and exercise bikes. If you’ve ordered a new product, Best Buy will take away your old one for recycling. There’s also a stand-alone haul-away option that costs $200. You can have two large items hauled away as well as an unlimited number of smaller items, with some exceptions. 

What you can recycle: Best Buy can take TVs, cables and chargers, media players, projectors, laptops, hard drives, webcams, cellphones, calculators, radios, landlines, headsets, vacuums, fans, ink and toner cartridges, alarm clocks, speaker systems, e-readers, video game consoles, memory cards, camcorders, digital cameras, GPS devices and more. 

Four Amazon Fire HD 8 tablets in different colorsFour Amazon Fire HD 8 tablets in different colors

If you don’t want to recycle your tablet, there are places to donate technology. 

Amazon

Staples

Office supply store Staples also offers free recycling options for old technology. Staples accepts up to seven items per customer per day. The company also has various haul-away options, driver pickup and pallet pickup, as well as prepaid address labels available. 

What you can recycle: Staples can recycle accessories, adapters, cables, computers, cordless and mobile phones, digital cameras, laptops, routers, tablets, webcams, ink and toner and other office tech items. 

Home Depot

Home Depot has an explainer on its website about how to safely dispose of dead batteries, old paint, electronics and other items, as well as tips for upcycling and repurposing. According to RecycleStuff.org, the services are drop-off only for residential customers.

What you can recycle: According to RecycleStuff.org, Home Depot accepts household alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V), lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, rechargeable household batteries, cell phones and LED light bulbs.  

US Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA doesn’t handle recycling and drop-offs the same way other businesses do, but it does have a handy guide that makes it easier to get the information you need. The EPA’s directory breaks down donation and recycling by electronic device, company name, logo and any additional details.

What you can recycle: Again, the EPA’s directory links you out to specific companies and their policies, but according to the list, you can recycle and donate mobile devices, PCs and TVs as well as imaging equipment and supplies. 

Electronics Take-Back Coalition 

Like the EPA, Electronics Take-Back Coalition makes it easy to find manufacturer take-back programs in the US. You can browse over 25 companies’ take-back program summaries, including Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Sony and more. 

The Electronics Take-back Coalition doesn’t handle the recycling, but it can direct you to the proper resource for your needs.

What you can recycle: Depending on the company, you can find places to turn in iPhones, iPads, smartphones, monitors, computers, printers, keyboards, mice, DVD and VHS players, cameras, TVs and more.

An Acer Chromebook open on a tableAn Acer Chromebook open on a table

Your laptop can be recycled, donated or repurposed. We’ll tell you where to look.

Josh Goldman/CNET

EcoATM 

EcoATM gives you a price estimate for your old phone that you can lock in on the mobile app using your old device’s IMEI number. EcoATM will ask a few questions about your device like brand, model, memory, carrier and condition before generating a quote. From there, you can visit one of the organization’s kiosks, located at stores like Kroger, Walmart and Dollar General. 

What you can recycle: EcoATM can help with iPhones, Samsung smartphones, tablets and MP3 players, Google Pixel phones, LG phones and tablets, Motorola phones and ZTE phones. You can also recycle chargers and cellular accessories like cases, but you won’t be paid for them.

Earth911 

Earth911 lets you search by device and ZIP code to find appropriate nearby locations to turn in old phones. When you visit the organization’s website, click Where to Recycle at the top of the page to get started. Earth911 works with well-known businesses like Lowe’s and Target, as well as local waste and recycling centers. 

What you can recycle: Earth911 helps you find locations to recycle, but it will also note the materials the location accepts, whether it allows drop-off or pickup for residential or businesses, as well as any additional information. 

Recycling for Charities

Recycling for Charities accepts technology donations, but gives a percentage of the device’s value to the charity of your choosing. Scroll through a directory of charities, select one, enter the required information and click donate. Charities receive anywhere between 25 cents and $100 from your items. 

What you can recycle: Wireless cell phones and corresponding batteries, iPhones, wireless pagers, digital cameras, iPods, PDAs and Palm Pilots. 

Call2Recycle

Call2Recycle is a battery-focused recycling program. The organization offers drop-off options at locations like Home Depot, Lowe’s and Staples, as well as shipment boxes for batteries and cell phones. Drop-offs are free, but recycling kits and shipment boxes cost between $45 and $115, depending on the size.

What you can recycleRechargeable batteries like Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion, Nickel Zinc and Small Sealed Lead Acid weighing up to 11 pounds. Call2Recycle also accepts single-use batteries like AA, AAA, 9V, C, D and button cell batteries weighing up to 11 pounds. The organization also accepts cell phones and their corresponding batteries regardless of size, make, model or age. 

For more information, check out five things you can recycle (and five things you can’t) and the right way to recycle plastic and the dos and don’ts of recycling metal cans.

Technologies

Verum Token Now Available on Binance, Listing of Verum Coin Expected Soon

Verum Token is now accessible for deposits and withdrawals on the Binance Wallet

Verum Token is now accessible for deposits and withdrawals on the Binance Wallet, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange. This milestone marks a significant step for the Verum ecosystem, allowing users seamless access to Verum on the platform.

Following the launch, Verum Coin’s value surged by 3%, reaching a new peak of $825.33 within just 24 hours.

With the Verum Coin listing anticipated soon, the excitement is growing, highlighting the project’s potential for further growth and adoption.

About Binance

Founded in 2017, Binance offers a secure, user-friendly platform with a broad selection of digital assets and trading pairs, supporting both retail and institutional traders. Listing Verum Token aligns with Binance’s strategy to include innovative, high-quality projects.

For more information, visit verumcoin.info.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Update: New Levels of Security and Functionality

These privacy-oriented features make Verum Messenger one of the most secure and convenient messengers available today.

Verum Messenger, known for its commitment to privacy and innovation, has launched an update that enhances both user protection and performance. These privacy-oriented features make Verum Messenger one of the most secure and convenient messengers available today.

Key Updates in Verum Messenger:

  • Control Over Message Forwarding and Copying

The new feature enables users to restrict the forwarding and copying of their messages. Now, the sender decides whether their messages can be copied or forwarded to others — an essential addition for those who value control over the spread of their information.

  • Media Saving Settings for Private Chats

In one-on-one conversations, users now have the option to limit automatic media saving on their device. This feature is designed for those who prioritize privacy and prefer to keep sensitive photos and videos within the app itself.

  • Message Deletion Timer

The self-destructing message feature is a crucial tool for communicating in high-privacy environments. Users can now set a timer to delete messages after a specific period, adding an extra layer of security to personal conversations.

  • Enhanced Performance and Stability

In addition to these new features, Verum Messenger has boosted its performance, allowing for faster and more stable operation even under high usage. This improvement makes communication smoother, especially for those who rely heavily on the app for both work and personal needs.

Innovative Technologies for Your Convenience

Complementing this update, Verum Messenger also includes integration with Verum AI, a smart assistant that addresses everyday tasks right in the chat. The built-in eSIM and VPN allow users to connect to the internet and secure networks globally, providing complete freedom and safety.

Verum Messenger continues to be at the forefront of privacy and security, offering a reliable and user-friendly service for everyday communication.

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Technologies

Multiply Your Wealth with Verum Coin: An Investment in Your Future

May your investments bring you joy and financial freedom!

In today’s world, where financial independence is becoming increasingly relevant, investing in cryptocurrency is attracting more and more attention. One such promising cryptocurrency is Verum Coin. In this article, we will discuss why you should consider purchasing Verum Coin and how it can change your financial life.

1. Growth Potential

Verum Coin has significant growth potential for the future. With the unique technology that underpins this cryptocurrency and the growing interest from investors, the value of Verum Coin could increase manifold. By investing in Verum Coin now, you open the door to substantial profits in the future.

2. Convenience and Accessibility

One of the key features of Verum Coin is its accessibility. You can easily purchase this cryptocurrency through various platforms and exchanges, such as the BitCoinPay Trade exchange and BitInterPay — Crypto Bank. Additionally, Verum Coin offers an intuitive interface for managing your investments, making the buying and selling process simple and convenient, even for beginners.

3. Innovative Technology

Verum Coin is built on modern blockchain technology, ensuring a high degree of security and transparency for all transactions. Every user can be confident in the reliability of their investments, as blockchain technology minimizes the risks of fraud and hacking.

4. Community and Support

Investing in Verum Coin is not just a financial transaction; it’s an opportunity to become part of an active and supportive community of like-minded individuals. You will have access to various resources, educational materials, and forums where you can exchange experiences and receive advice from more experienced investors.

5. Financial Independence

By investing in Verum Coin, you are taking a step towards financial independence. The ability to multiply your capital and create passive income is what everyone dreams of. Verum Coin provides this opportunity through its growth potential and active community.

6. A Happy Life and Confidence in the Future

It is important to remember that money is not an end in itself, but a means to achieve more. By acquiring Verum Coin and multiplying your funds, you open up new horizons and opportunities for yourself. You can afford more—travel, pursue your passions, and provide for your loved ones.

Conclusion

Investing in Verum Coin is not just a financial strategy; it’s a pathway to your financial well-being that can change your life for the better. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting and promising cryptocurrency revolution. Start investing in Verum Coin today and live richly and happily!

May your investments bring you joy and financial freedom!

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