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Leftovers ... what do you do with them?

By
Real Estate Agent with Casmi Photography

Toledo, OH

Do you have leftovers?  Do you save leftovers?  Do you discard leftovers?

I'm talking about  leftover electronics.  Computers, cell phones, pda's, printers, etc.

Did you know that there are many, many, many uses for all those outdated electronic gadgets?  That they are still serviceable even though, to us, they are antiquated?

Here is what I do with my leftovers:

  • Cell Phones - give them to your local senior center, women's shelter or victim assistance program.  The phones are stripped of all information and made available for 911 use only.  This can be a true lifesaver for those that need that level of communication but can't afford to purchase a phone.
  • Computers - donate them to one of your local neighborhood shelters.  This allows folks to become familiar with how to use a computer and helps them develop job skills. 
  • PDAs - Check with your local prosecutors office and find where the local center for women entering the job market is.  These women can use these tools to keep track of employment interviews, appointments, etc.
  • Printers - Any non-profit group can use these.  They should be in working order and have the installation software with them. 

We are all concerned about our Mother - Mother Earth that is.  Please don't toss electronics in the trash to wind up in one of our landfills.  The mercury that lives inside so many of these items is minute as a single item, but when there are multiples filling up the ground ... well, it just makes good sense to let someone else get some use out of them.

In the words of Kermit the Frog ... It's not easy being green.

Posted by

 

Carol Smith

Casmi Photography

Mebane, NC 27302

919-418-6549

casmiphotography@triad.rr.com

 

 

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Carol,
You and Kermit are right, it takes some effort.  Especially with the computers, getting all the information off the hard drive is very important. 

Aug 27, 2008 12:07 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Cynthia - oddly enough I learned about the Shelters/Victim Assistance option while serving on Grand Jury duty.  I was speaking with one of the prosecutors and she was telling me all the ancillary services that they try to provide when they have the resources.  Ever since then every old cell phone I can get my hands on goes to her office.

Aug 27, 2008 01:15 AM
Sal Poliandro - Helping People Win
RE/MAX Properties - Ridgewood, NJ
Broker Associate

Carol - There are a number of places where you can donate these.  That said, I have piles of old cell phones sitting in my closet.  You never know when you might be able to use one!

Aug 27, 2008 04:19 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Carol, The cell phones I donate and usually someone needs a computer but I have someone wipe my hard drive before I give it away.  Or anyone that it goes to would have my information.  Non profits are a good idea and something I hadn't thought of because a friend always asks me.

Aug 27, 2008 09:25 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Carol...Steve Shatsky just did a post on a re-cycling program for all of this stuff in Texas

Aug 27, 2008 02:27 PM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

Hola Amiga! YES...I'm a good girl and recycle my leftovers. This is great info, darling! So many people just don't think about it...ya know? :-)

I'm gonna call ya later today. No new news on either front. Thanks for your luv and prayers!! GBU!

Aug 30, 2008 04:25 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Sal - Some of the older phones can't be activated anymore, but they will always dial 911.

Joan - I hadn't read that, but I'll check it out!  Thanks!

Carole - Always wipe a hard drive before donating a computer.  Wouldn't want someone getting all your personal information.  Next time consider the non-profits.  They love to have things donated.

Elizabeth - I know you're a good girl!  LOL  I'll look forward to your call!

Aug 30, 2008 05:50 AM
Cheryl Frei - Realtor® & e-Pro Certified Realtor®
Elite Realty - Absarokee, Montana and Billings, Montana - Absarokee, MT

Carol - There's a donate of giving computer to kid for school.  Alot of kids cannot buy one for school. 

Sep 02, 2008 01:42 AM