Remember the glory days of watching and rewatching jurassic park iii On the Sony DVD player you bought back in 2001? Or how about that year when you invested in that Denon 5.1 receiver for your new speaker system? Like beloved family members, our AV equipment can become woven into the fabric of our lives. But with new and shiny streaming devices, soundbars, and TVs coming into our homes, many of our older devices are relegated to basements, attics, and under the stairs.
But unlike the anthropomorphic world of radios and lamps that the movies love brave little toaster We’d like us to believe, our electronics have no heart, mind, or soul, so it’s perfectly fine to part with vintage gear when it’s no longer needed.
That being said, throwing your AV equipment in the trash or bin is one of the worst things you can do for the environment. However, fortunately, there are several different ways you can safely and responsibly dispose of your old AV gear, and we’ve included some of our favorite options below.
Donate your electronics
If you’re feeling charitable or just want to give back to your community, a great way to get rid of your AV gear is to donate it. Places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army will usually accept AV products like speakers, Blu-ray/DVD players, and other components. And even if your old receiver is only 25% operational, there’s a good chance the donation depot will still take it. Even if you’re sitting on some new equipment, it’s always a good idea to call the company or visit the website to learn more about the donation center’s donation policies.
Another benefit of donating is that many donation centers will provide you with a receipt that you can use to report your contribution on your tax return. Doing this may result in less tax owed when you file, or even some type of tax refund if Uncle Sam deems you eligible.
sell, sell, sell
Depending on the age and condition of your AV equipment, chances are you may be able to sell the gear for a profit. In fact, even if it’s on the older side, or one or two functions of the device aren’t working, you’d be surprised how many video and audiophiles will still want to buy it.
Depending on the peripheral, it can be extremely difficult to get your hands on some ancient components, which is why we’re betting that many enthusiasts or collectors will be happy to get some off your hands for a price.
Reputable hubs for making these types of transactions are sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp. If you want to hone in on more hi-fi and audio-specific resources, sites like US Audio Mart are community-based and provide rankings for sellers and buyers to reduce the ambiguity factor. You can also see which audio-related Facebook groups you can join to spread your advertising to more people.
avail services from your municipality
Cities and towns aren’t completely anti-AV when it comes to picking up your damn soundbar and game system. There’s a good chance that the garbage and recycling teams serving your community have specific dates for e-waste pickup. Although you may have to put a label on the equipment to designate it as e-waste, this is one of the easiest ways to get rid of your gear without having to take it anywhere yourself.
Keep in mind that even if your city, town or county offers e-waste pickup dates, you may have to call in advance to schedule pickup for certain items, like old TVs. Some communities may also charge fees for these types of services.
And even if the trusted landfill hasn’t been doing any e-waste collection for a while, it’s still a good idea to check your city’s website to see if a local church, library, or other community facility hosts some kind of charitable event. Is doing. In the near future.
Drop off your gear at Best Buy
When it’s time to invest in new electronics we turn to retailers like Best Buy and Walmart, but when it’s time to get rid of your old stuff, brick-and-mortar stores (as well as some online outlets) Can also be useful. Both Best Buy and Walmart offer recycling for all types of electronics, including some TVs (there are usually size limits). In most cases, you simply load your vehicle with the gear you want to get rid of, and tell an employee that you have electronics you want to recycle.
Many times, stores like Best Buy also have recycling bins for small electronics (like smartphones and old cords) right at the front of the store.
If your old gear isn’t exactly “old” by industry standards, and you’re looking to upgrade the device, you should also see if your big box store offers some kind of trade-up program. , If this happens, you may be able to get in-store credit that you can use toward the purchase of a new component.
Recycling with Samsung and other brands
Believe it or not, there are a handful of electronics manufacturers that offer both recycling and buyback programs for eligible devices. In the case of a company like Samsung, there is an entire e-waste web portal. After choosing a product category (like TV or smartphone), you’ll be able to scroll down and select from multiple links related to your e-waste filter.
These links include options like recycling center discovery, as well as external navigation to Samsung’s MailBack program, which is run by a company called OEM TakeBack.
Brands like LG and Audio Technica, as well as many other AV companies, have their own recycling programs and resources. It’s easy enough to run a quick Google search for whatever brand of item you’re planning to get rid of, followed by a phrase like “recycling program” or “e-waste.”
Look at the EPA
Recycling centers are a great way to offload your AV gear, and even if there isn’t a local plant in your zip code, there’s a good chance you’re not too far from a facility.
If you’re not sure where to find your nearest recycling center, the Environmental Protection Agency’s website is a solid resource. Not only does the site have a search tool to track down eco-friendly depositories, but you’ll also be able to learn more about e-cycling from perhaps the most trusted authority on the matter.
