I’m in the process of setting up an e-waste bin in my community, but it is separate from the general e-trash bin. I want the sign on it to request specific things that can be useful and repurposed without an insane amount of effort.
I’m looking for additional ideas to put on the list. Here’s what I have so far:
-SSDs and HDDs both internal and external
-Laptops, phones, computers
-WIFI cards
-RAM sticks
-Chargers that are still working
For non-functional parts, there is also the option of making jewelry, lamp shades or art in general. This can be a great way to improve soldering skills as well!
Disposable vape pen batteries. They can be wired up to make battery banks. There’s tons of videos online explaining the process. Just please don’t try if you don’t know your way around electronics.
Old internal CD / DVD drives.
if it’s just a bin, you’re gonna get all kinds of stuff regardless of what the sign on it says.
and also remember you need a way to send ‘up the chain’ or properly dispose of everything you don’t repurpose, recycle, or use yourself, including all the literal junk and potentially dangerous items like cathode ray tubes, spicy pillows and batteries of all sorts, and vape pens.
LCDs from older devices (DVD players, cheap picture frames, even off-brand tablets, as long as LCD has a ribbon connector) can be salvaged and used with any other device using a ~$15-20 LCD driver.
Some old digital cameras can be used as a webcam via USB.
Very old keyboards might have DIP chips that could be reused (if the rest of the keyboard is damaged and you’re into building your own keyboards that is)
old cables that the common person might find un-useful: print cables, Ethernet, chargers, etc.
You could use them to get a big stew going.