Dealing with that old box of electronics
We’ve been toting around a box of old electronics our entire marriage (7 years!). What about you? We just didn’t know what to do with this stuff.
“This stuff.” It is sobering to think about how the things we spent so much of our time and energy on — working, studying, and playing — have just become “stuff” and “trash.” But they certainly have.
This box of used up electronics represents the (literal) burden of a linear economy, that kind of productivity that pays no mind to the end of a product just as long as it pays. Where nature always has a way of folding something old into something new, thus, creating a circle or a “closed-loop” economy, human companies externalize the responsibility to individual consumers. Profit is the bottom line, not the good of all.
Our heavy box of old electronics has reminded us of the weight of all of this over the years. It bore us an important invitation to technological mindfulness — asking us to consider carefully what we decide to “own” and are willing to be responsible for.
It has also taught us that we cannot be responsible for everything.
Companies and corporations are wrong to place the burden of cleaning up their messes on individual “consumers” (let’s drop that “consumer” language, shall we? We are PEOPLE who live and die, people who can create, dream, problem-solve, and participate, not merely “consume”).
It feels like an old trick, honestly, a big company making the little man hold the bag or at least feel like he faces the giant alone. But one thing is certain: We are all in this together, and there ain’t anything that can change that.
Some of us may walk around in ignorant bliss, but it is all humanity who bear the responsibility and holy calling to keep the earth. We have to deal with one another’s mistakes even while we celebrate one another’s gifts. The problems we face together are wicked — unwieldy, multi-faceted, slippery, tangled, and all around difficult — but if we choose to disallow corporations (or other powers) to single us out, we gain the upper hand.
The truth is that we are in this together, and the good news is that anything is possible when we allow our Creator to draw us together in cooperation, solidarity, and, above all, Love.
So here’s a little love from the Coyle-Carr household, beloveds.
How to deal with your old electronics:
Things to consider:
Data security - we want to make it hard for others to make the mistake of stealing our information; we need to destroy the hard drives and do “factory resets” on all devices that will still turn on. The best data security is preemptive. Do not put classified information on your machines and always sweep your hard drive with a “factory reset” while your device still works.
Recycle or donate? Our electronics were not suitable for reuse, so they’ll be recycled; however, if you have simply upgraded your gadgets, consider donating your gently used appliances to a local non-profit or school.
Safety - Batteries are dangerous if ruptured. Also, broken screens are a hazard to you and anyone else who will be handling the device. Take care not to avoid risk (as much as you may want to run over your old laptop with a car — like I REALLY wanted to! — don’t!).
Steps for recycling old electronics:
Find out how your local city or county deals with electronic waste.
Remove hard drives from computers and laptops. Drill holes in them to render them useless and un-hackable (to most). Aaron found this much easier than he anticipated. One laptop even had a slide out hard drive! Don’t be intimidated by a few tiny screws. Get in there and dismantle. Aaron found this video how-to helpful on Youtube.
“Factory reset” cell phones and tablets/pads. If these devices were connected to a cloud service, revoke their access in cloud settings.
Drop it all off with the city/county officials.