We moved and have a box filled with old flip phones and non-working calculators. I would rather not just dump them in the local landfill. Do you know anyone who recycles or uses the material in the devices?
— Harvey in Tucson
Glad you’re not just tossing them in the trash! Earth911 is a great site to find recycling centers for different types of products. Type in what you’ve got (do one search for calculators and one for phones) and your ZIP code to find a nearby drop-off.
Options generally include city or town programs, retailers and private recycling companies. I even found a place in Phoenix called Treasures 4 Teachers, Inc. that takes a ton of old stuff to use in classrooms. Neat!
When building a home security system, every little bit helps. You can make significant changes, like setting up outdoor cameras with facial recognition. This helps you spot familiar faces crossing your street every day.
🤑 Amazon’s secret 25% discount: Send your old tech to Amazon through its Trade-in Program and get a gift card for the value. They’ll take just about anything, but if you trade in Amazon gear like a Kindle, eero router system or Fire TV Stick, you get 25% off a new qualifying device. Nice.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
✈️ U.S. air control systems are outdated: They won’t be modernized until 2030 at the earliest. Why the delay? Because some systems are over 40 years old, making parts hard to find. Add in FAA management issues (slow to start new projects, poor oversight and planning), and we’re running on seriously old tech. Reassuring, right?
Do you have any old tech piling up and collecting dust? If so, you may be thinking about donating or selling it. This is a good idea, especially since gadget prices are skyrocketing. Many people are in the market for a gently used smartphone or computer rather than spending big bucks for a brand-new one.
Is the value of your iPhone dropping? Yep. But you’re not alone, and people are not happy.
Apple quietly adjusted its estimated trade-in value for devices as far back as the iPhone 7. Some of these, mostly older devices, have remained rock-solid. Other gadgets have not.
Amazon’s secret 25% discount: Send your old tech to Amazon through its Trade-in Program, and get a gift card for the value. Bonus: You’ll get an extra 20% off if you’re upgrading to a new Amazon device, like an Echo or Kindle.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
You don’t have to leave home if you want to channel your inner Indiana Jones and unearth lost treasures. Just rifle through old boxes in your closet, attic or basement. You might find a few valuable outdated gadgets you can sell on eBay for fat stacks.
The pandemic has generated a rise in remote work. As people return to the office, there are plenty of ways to earn extra money on the side.
Do you have older devices collecting dust? Check your drawers and closets and make a list because your old gadgets could earn you Amazon credit or a discount on future purchases. Tap or click here for Kim’s tips on making money with your old tech.
Updated 03/04/2021: Since we first published the article, eBay has removed certain listings of books by Dr. Seuss, claiming they violate its offensive materials policy.
Times are tough, and many people are selling their stuff to make ends meet. Even if you weather the pandemic storm, it never hurts to make a little extra money during spring cleaning.
