Diwali 2016: Here's what you could do with your old gadgets

By Anusha Sinha If you like to keep up with technology, there is most likely a bunch of old gadgets stored away somewhere in your cupboards, along with other relics of days gone by. And, festive sales will only add to your collection. Now, unless you intend on creating a private museum for posterity, it might be time for you to get rid of them (especially if you want to make space for newer ones). Here, we list a few ways for you to get rid of older devices in an environmentally friendly way instead of tossing them into the garbage. [caption id=“attachment_342002” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  A scrap dealer in Mumbai. Image: Reuters.[/caption] Firstly, you need to evaluate if the device can still be used. If it is a trusty old PC that you abandoned because it simply did not have the specifications you needed in order to play the latest games, it’s a good idea to donate it. If you don’t find someone in your immediate vicinity who can use your old tech, there are several NGOs that can help you out in finding suitable recipients. One important rule before you embark on this path is that you must make sure to wipe all your data off your old devices. Some of these NGOs do wipe the data on all gadgets they receive but it is always better to stay protected. For example, Bhumi takes donations of PCs and tablets in Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Pune and Trichy. They don’t require great hardware for their programme and even something with a dual core processor, 1GB RAM, and 40GB HD would do. They use the systems to teach children the basics of operating a computer and Microsoft Office. [caption id=“attachment_341986” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Bhumi.[/caption] Another place that can help you make sure your PC reaches people who can use it is Donate Your PC. It is a simple portal where you register details about the system you can donate and when a NGO near you wants it, you will be contacted. There is a page where you can see the people or NGOs that require PCs and choose a worthy cause. Most of these are schools in remote areas which need to integrate computer education in their curriculum. You can set your own pick up time. They take PCs with minor problems as well. In case your PC is damaged beyond repair, they also accept parts of the computer ranging from the keyboard to the cabinet. [caption id=“attachment_341982” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Your Donated PCs go to Zilla Parishad schools. Image: Donateyourpc.in.[/caption] At Karma, you get cash for your used smartphones, tablets or computers and they recycle it for you. The process to apply for selling is extremely easy and you just have to go through a checklist to give them details about your product. They give you a quote in a matter of minutes which is accompanied by a graph showing the price offered for the product at different points in time. Cashify also does the same thing and even takes TVs and gaming consoles. It might be a good idea to check the price for your device on both these sites and pick the one which offers you a greater value for the device.     [caption id=“attachment_341981” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Karma[/caption] If you simply don’t want to give up the computer you first played Super Mario on or the first phone you ever had, there are a ton of DIY projects that can transform your device for an alternate purpose. Depending on how crafty you can get, you can turn your old CRT monitor into an aquarium or make some cool art. [caption id=“attachment_341973” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”]  Image: mcanderson76, Instructables[/caption] An interesting idea to repurpose your tablet is to use a magnetic cover to stick it to your fridge door. In case you cannot find a magnet-backed cover, you can make your own by sticking this heavy duty magnetic tape to the back of your tablet’s cover. Using a magnetic cover means that you can adjust the tablet however you want and still use it to play games occasionally. You can use the tablet to play music to add an atmospheric feel during dinner with your loved ones. A little music can make even the humble lauki taste better. [caption id=“attachment_341979” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  There are fridge mounts available for tablets. This is the Belkin Fridge Mount for iPad[/caption] You can also use apps like Fridge Pal or Fridge Check, or Epicurious to keep track of your groceries. These apps can help you record the items you have in your fridge and even figure out recipes for you based on the ingredients you put in. By tracking the amount and type of food left in your fridge, these apps will also help you shop more efficiently by telling you exactly what you need on your weekly jaunt to the grocery store. In this way, you can transform your boring fridge into a smart kitchen companion as well. [caption id=“attachment_341968” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  This YT Metal Stand for Smartphones and Tablets is Made in India and on sale in Amazon for Rs 249.[/caption] Old tablets can also be used to display photos as a nice showpiece for the living room. Using this tutorial  and a neat app called Dayframe, you can easily make a fully customisable, social media linked photo frame to cycle through your favourite memories. In case your tablet has been left behind in terms of the apps it can run, you can always use it as a backup for your photos or movies or music. If nothing else, upload your ebooks to create a huge library that you can take anywhere with you. [caption id=“attachment_271121” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  File image of Nokia 3310.[/caption] Similarly, you can turn your older phones into MP3 players and get all the hipster cred that comes from carrying a Nokia relic around. You can then use one while running in order to not risk breaking your expensive, so-large-that-it-does-not-fit-into-your-pocket phone. Interestingly, you can even use an old CD case to create something insanely cool - a hologram projector.

In short, the extent of what you can do with your gadget depends on your imagination. Whatever you do, do not throw away your unusable technology along with regular waste. They contain a number of toxic materials and can be very harmful to the environment as well as to the people who deal with the waste. Geek responsibly!