Spring Cleaning Pro Tip: Recycle Tech And Gadgets You Don't Use Anymore

© Courtesy of CNET What do you do when your phone is fit for purpose? We will offer you several options. Sarah To/CNET

Are you thinking of spring cleaning? Whether you're finally cleaning out the trash drawer or upgrading your technology, don't condemn your old gadget to the hardware graveyard, or worse, to the trash can. We all rely on old technology for our own reasons, but there are plenty of ways to repurpose old devices for your smart home , use them as security cameras and more.

No matter the technology, when it's finally time to say goodbye, there's a right way to dispose of your old gear and plenty of wrong ways. We'll show you which one.

© Courtesy of CNET

What should I do before disposing of my device?

When you're done with your gadget, make sure you're done too. Make sure you back up everything you want on your device — photos, videos, music — and then do a factory reset. Here are some CNET articles to help explain how to scan your device's fine points.

Here are the best places in the United States to recycle, reuse, or revitalize your old hardware.

How do you recycle a smartphone?

Recycling your smartphone allows you to print a free FedEx shipping label or order a recycling kit. Send in your old smartphone and depending on the condition and age of the device, you may also get paid. Smartphone recycling accepts devices in bulk, so you need to send in at least 10. Depending on how long you've had your phone, you may be able to refill this potion yourself. If not, check in with friends and family and make this a team effort.

© Courtesy of CNET If you come across the newest hardware soundtrack, even if your current hardware isn't the latest, we're not here to judge. Woot/screenshot via CNET

What can be treated ? Smartphone Recycling accepts smartphones, cell phones, MacBooks, tablets, iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Apple Watches, as well as batteries connected to or installed in the device.

Good deal

Best Buy accepts a wide variety of technology products and typically accepts three items per room per day. Specifications may vary depending on where you live, but you can check the website for information on recycling status using the dropdown menu.

Best Buy offers a remote option for large appliances such as televisions, dishwashers, freezers, microwaves, treadmills, and bicycles. If you order a new product, Best Buy will take the old product for recycling . There is also a separate shipping option that costs $200. You get two large items and an unlimited number of small items, with a few exceptions.

What can be treated ? Best Buy Televisions, Cables, Chargers, Media Players, Projectors, Laptops, Hard Drives, Webcams, Cell Phones, Calculators, Radios, Landline Phones, Headphones, Vacuum Cleaners, Fans, Ink and Toner Cartridges, Alarm Clocks, Speakers, E-Readers, Game Consoles, Memory Cards, Camcorders, Digital Cameras, Computers GPS and more.

© Courtesy of CNET If you don't want to recycle your tablet, there are places you can donate your technology to Amazon

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Office supply store Staples also offers free recycling options for old equipment. Staples accepts seven items per customer per day. The company has a variety of long-haul truck, truck and fleet options, and prepaid address labels are available.

What can be treated ? Major Appliances can recycle accessories, adapters, cables, computers, mobile and cellular phones, digital cameras, laptops, routers, tablets, webcams, ink, toner, and other office supplies.

Main warehouse

Home Depot has explanations on its website about the safe disposal of dead batteries, old paint, electronics, and other items, as well as tips on recycling and reuse. According to RecycleStuff.org, the services are only available to private customers.

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

Watch the Lasso Home Recycling Machine in action

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US Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA doesn't handle recycling and disposal the same way other companies do, but it does have a handy guide that makes it easy to get the information you need. The EPA directory breaks down donations and recycling by electronic device, company name, logo, and any additional information.

What can be treated ? Again, the EPA guide links you to specific companies and their policies, but depending on the list, you can recycle and donate mobile devices, computers, and televisions, as well as photography equipment and supplies.

Recreate the electronic alliance.

Like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Electronics Takeback Alliance makes it easier for electronics to find take-back programs for manufacturers in the United States. View recall summaries for more than 25 companies, including Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Sony, and more.

The Electronics Recovery Alliance does not recycle, but they can direct you to sources that meet your needs.

What can be treated ? Depending on the company, you can find places to recycle iPhones, iPads, smartphones, monitors, computers, printers, keyboards, mice, DVD and VHS players, camcorders, televisions, and so on.

© Courtesy of CNET. The laptop can be recycled, donated, or reused. We'll tell you where to look. Josh Goldman/CNET

Eco ATM

EcoATM gives you an approximate price for your old phone, which you can pick up in the phone app using the old device's IMEI number. EcoATM will ask you a few questions about your device, such as brand, model, memory, drive, and condition, before making an offer. From there, you can visit one of the company's kiosks, which are found at stores like Kroger, Walmart, and Dollar General.

What can be treated ? EcoATM can help with iPhones, Samsung smartphones and tablets, MP3 players, Google Pixel phones, LG phones and tablets, Motorola phones and ZTE phones. You can also recycle mobile phone accessories such as chargers and cases, but there is no fee for this.

911 place

Earth911 lets you search by device and zip code to find nearby locations that accept older phones. When you visit the organization's website, click Where to Recycle at the top of the page to get started Earth911 works with popular companies like Lowe's and Target, as well as local recycling centers.

What can be treated ? Earth911 will help you find recycling locations, but will also list materials that are accepted at that site, whether pick-up or drop-off at residential or commercial centers is permitted, and additional information.

Recycle your old tech toys

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Recycle for charity

Recycling Technology for Charity accepts donations, but gives a percentage of the device's value to the charity of your choice. Scroll through the list of charities, select one, enter the required information and click Donate. The charity takes anywhere from 25 cents to $100 from your product.

What can be recycled : Cordless cell phones and associated batteries, iPhones, pagers, digital cameras, iPods, PDAs, and Palm Pilots.

Call2Recycle:

Call2Recycle is a battery recycling software. The company offers shipping options at places like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Staples, as well as battery and cell phone charger boxes. Handling is free, but recycling kits and shipping boxes cost between $45 and $115, depending on the size.

What can be treated ? Rechargeable batteries such as nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion, nickel-zinc, and small sealed lead-acid batteries weighing up to 11 lbs. Call2Recycle also accepts disposable batteries such as AA, AAA, 9V, C, D batteries and button batteries up to 11 lbs. The company accepts cell phones and related batteries regardless of size, make, model or age.

For more information, see Five Things You Can Recycle (And Five Things You Can't) and The Right Way to Recycle Plastic , plus Dos and Don'ts for Recycling Tin Cans .

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Then vs. Now - Top 5 Spring Cleaning Tech Tips | Technology news 2018