Submitted by pvd_throwaway2 t3_ze62b9 in providence
Hello - I live on the East Side of Providence. I'm planning to move in the next few months, and have accumulated quite a collection of electronics (laptops, phones, hard drives, cables) in various working conditions. I would like to donate what works, and properly dispose of things that don't work. I've donated a kindle to the library before, and would love to hear all options! Thank you!
Where ever you bring your electronics to I would destroy the hard drives, throw out the cables, keep a phone or two as backups if yours break, and remove the hard drives from the computers. Your info is almost always recoverable.
Someone mentioned staples to recycle. This is true. They recycle it for you but are not responsible for your data that you leave behind. Sometimes staples will offer a credit towards other electronics. Keep in mind this does not count as a donation. - I worked at staples as a manager for years.
Donating to goodwill is an option. Once again your info is not their responsibility it is yours.
Check this below as well
https://www.rirrc.org/recycling-composting-disposal/electronic-waste
Rochambeau library has a (small) e waste collection bin by the bathrooms on the main level. You can also call waste management to do an e waste pickup / but ditto re taking care of your data!
Depending on the timeline you can wait, there's usually dedicated windows from RIRC for e-waste stuff. Staples/Best Buy are good for the occasional monitor or two.
I think they were supposed to charge a fee but I've usually gotten by for free.
As far as hard drives, there's a risk of recovery but it's fairly low. Unless you're some super high profile, high value target, you probably aren't at risk dropping off shit as-is at recycling locations.
Known working drives in functioning but old equipment carry a little bit of a higher risk but it's still impractical and time-consuming to recovery stuff from a wiped hard drive when you don't even know if there's something worth looking for, so most people don't bother.
Thanks for the tips, especially the data protection pointers. I'm curious - why should I throw out the cables?
idk seems risky
Thanks, didn't know they had a bin there
yeah I'll have to figure out a way to wipe all the different drives, thanks!
looks like I'm going to Staples
It’s not huge so I wouldn’t Chuck a display in there but phones and smaller stuff for sure.
I generally take them out and drill through them.
For things that work, I'd consider posting for free on your local BuyNothing facebook page.
Someone said a thrift store, but I think it's better to try and see if someone can use it directly before going that route.
bartolo345 t1_iz4u40b wrote
Staples has the best recycling program around