New update 12-24-2023
Page index: As you're doing some spring cleaning, you may stumble on an outdated laptop at the bottom of the closet or some old phones stashed in a junk drawer. But instead of tossing them in the trash, there are better options for those old devices and some could even get you some money. Friends Carol Lawrence and Susan Sipple recently updated their smartphones. "I have five phones; flip phones, too!" Sipple said. Lawrence said her stash has been even worse. "It sits there. It collects dust, and then, you add another and another," she said. "And when you turn around, you have seven phones, like I did." It's what Alex Hausfeld of uBreakiFix By Asurion refers to as the "tech graveyard." "Usually, it's either a shoe box, closet, or junk drawer," he said. Hausfeld says the last thing to do with old devices is to toss them in the trash. "That's because of the harmful chemicals that can be released into the environment, whether it's burned or goes into a landfill," he said. Instead, he says to repurpose old devices. An example, he says, is using old smartphones as security cameras. "Baby monitors are another one," he said. Hausfeld says you can make anywhere from $25 to several hundred dollars if you sell a device at one of many reselling sites online. Just make sure it's wiped clean. "Be sure all of your personal information is off of it," he suggested. Hausfeld manages a uBreakiFix by Asurion store that partners with Samsung to help customers recycle tech for free. "We will recycle anything from phones to old chargers, old cables, to batteries," said Mark Williams, head of customer care with Samsung. Williams says parts are reused when possible or disposed of properly. When a device breaks down, Williams suggests you repair it rather than replace it. "You can keep your device a year or two longer by just getting it fixed, and it'll perform like it did when you first got it," he said. One last option for old devices: help others. "Carol Lawrence and Susan Sipple suggest you consider donating them. The pair donated their devices to help seniors and victims of domestic violence. If it can help somebody else, then that's what we should do," Lawrence said. So, recycle, sell, repair, or repurpose; that way, you don't waste your money.
4 Things You Can Do With Your Old Cell Phones And Devices - - NEW 12-24-23 - -
Recycle Consumer Electronics for Gift Cards!
Kent County's Guide to Waste Management Options and Alternatives
BATTERY RECYCLING
DROP OFF SITES THAT RECYCLE FOR FREE
DROP OFF SITES THAT MAY CHARGE A FEE
4 Things You Can Do With Your Old Cell Phones And Devices
How to recycle, sell, repair, or repurpose unwanted electronics.
By: John Matarese What can you do with those old phones?
Recycle old tech
Recycle Consumer Electronics for Gift Cards!
Sears, Walmart, Best Buy, & Costco are encouraging recycling by giving you a gift card for recycling consumer electronics with them. First go to their website and fill out a form describing the item you want to recycle to receive an on-line quote. Then if your item is accepted they send you a prepaid shipping box to mail your item into them.
Look for other retailers to jump on board, so check your favorite retailers web site to see if they are participating.
www.sears.gazelle.com
www.walmart.gazelle.com
www.bestbuy.com/recycling
www.costco.gazelle.com
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Kent County's Guide to Waste Management Options and Alternatives
Department of Public Works 2006 Guide pdf or recyclekent.org/Kent County Department of Public Works
322 Bartlett SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
616-336-4360
8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday
http://www.accesskent.com/YourGovernment
/PublicWorks/mrf.htm
2908 Ten Mile Road,
Rockford, Michigan
(616) 866-5070
7:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday
Kentwood Recycle Center
5068 Breton SE
Kentwood, Michigan
(616) 336-2570
7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday
BATTERY RECYCLING:
Click to visit our Household recycling page for details.
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THE FOLLOWING DROP OFF SITES RECYCLE FOR FREE:
World Mission
616-257-5232
Working computers and electronics only!
Store Locations:
Valueland - Wyoming
2640 Burlingame Ave. SW
Wyoming, Michigan 49509
616-534-3233
Valueland - Grand Rapids/Walker
949- 4 Mile Road
Walker, Michigan
Phone: 616-784-3633
www.worldmission.cc
THE FOLLOWING DROP OFF SITES MAY CHARGE A FEE:
Autumn Hills Disposal
700 56th Avenue
Zeeland, Michigan 49464
888-688-5777
http://www.eiae.org/recycler/program_
details.php?ID=107&state=MI
CompRenew
Headquarters
629 Ionia Ave SW
Grand Rapids, Mi. 49503
(616) 451-4400
Monday - Friday 9am to 4pm
Comprenew Store
1454 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 243-5310
Monday - Saturday 10am to 6pm
Comprenew has many stores in Michigan. Please visit thier web site at Comprenew Store Locator
Goodwill Industries Headquarters
3035 Prairie St SW
Grandville, Michigan
616-532-4200 or 800-294-4742
Store Locations:
200 S. Division Ave.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
616-451-2606
3270 29TH ST SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512
616-975-4196
And 10 other locations:
http://www.goodwillgr.org/dropofflocations
Items accepted:
http://www.goodwillgr.org/whatcanidonate
Staples
3313 Century Center Drive
Grandville, Michigan 49418
616-261-1309
1849 Marketplace Drive
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
616-698-9287
5110 28th Street
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512
616-949-2705
Suggest you call your local store for recycling info before you go.
http://www.staples.com
Valley City Environmental Services
1040 Market Street Southwest
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
616-235-1500
http://www.valleycityes.com
To report a DEAD LINK