recycle

I could go on for days on how you can recycle your old gadgets, but what about those times you just need some cash in order to upgrade to a newer model? Well, you can try your hand at selling them on Craigslist or Ebay, but if you've got your eye on a new iPod, then next week is your week, my friend.

Starting on Oct. 17, and running through Oct. 23, you can take up to three used iPods into select Toys R Us locations and receive up to $100 toward a newer model (iPod or iPod Touch) in the form of a Toys R Us "trade up" card. Your old iPods will need to be in working order of course, and payment will depend on the age, model, and condition, but hey — seems like an easy way to make some quick cash off of a gadget that served its time well.

Here's a post from OnSugar blog Think Magazine:

Tall and tan and long and lovely the Ipanema chair takes its name from Brazil's most famous beach known for social frolicking, relaxing, and lounging. Sitting in this chair is meant to give you the same feeling of comfort and relaxation. The sloped back is angled to promote relaxing while the reclaimed Brazilian Peroba planks fit beautifully in a mahogany frame for sturdy support.The seat can be taken out easily if you wish to reupholster to suit your décor so the sky's the limit. My family likes to eat then stay at the table talking and laughing for hours so these chairs will fit in beautifully with our lifestyle. These chairs can be found at Environment Furniture.

Want to see more? Start following Think Magazine or start your own OnSugar blog!

When the iPhone 4 launched a few weeks back, I gave up my old handset to a family member who was in desperate need of a smartphone upgrade. If I hadn't, I would have found a place to recycle, or donate it to a charity. With the Droid X arriving tomorrow (and the Samsung Captivate following closely behind on Sunday), what will you early adopters be doing with your tired phones? Instead of tossing them in the trash or in the back of your closet (where they'll do no good to anyone), might I make a few suggestions?

• Donate in-store — Verizon has partnered with the HopeLine charity and is stocking its stores with donation bins so you can do good before you leave the store. Ordering online? Just print the postage-paid label online and send off your phone to benefit victims of domestic violence.
• Drop it off at Best Buy — Picking up your new phone from Best Buy? On your way out you can toss your old phone in one of its new recycling bins, along with any other computer or component items that are just lying around your house. A clean house is a happy house.

See the rest of my suggestions after the break.

Recycling your gadgets is super easy — from cell phones to computers — but what do you do with all the other junk in your media center? Things like CDs, old cords and cables, even old cell phone batteries can be harder to offload at electronic recycling centers.

Well, if you spend as much time at Best Buy as I do, then you may have noticed the handy recycling bins that have popped up in the lobbies of stores across the US. This recycling bin acts as a dumping ground for other tech-, and gadget-related items you don't have a need for anymore. It's (obviously) free to use, so now you can not only drop off old computer equipment (regardless of where you purchased it), but clear out that rats nest of old tech you've been hoarding with a clear conscience. Find out exactly what you can offload in these bins after the break.

I gotta hand it to ya, geeks — you're a crafty bunch! After we've professed our love for the hanging ink cartridge lamps, Etsy user Lowell & Louise adds to the infatuation by creating these cute and functional upcycled ink cartridge desk lamps. Don't have a place for an Epson chandelier? No problem — just prop one of these up alongside your external hard drive, lay it flat for a minimal effect, or dangle it from a wall hanger to make a unique focal point for your room. At $30, they're a steal, and quite an ingenious way to help out Mother Earth as well.

Mamas pay good money for their lil one's clothes, only to have them outgrow the cherished items in a matter of months. While some pieces are best handed down to friends with younger tots, others deserve a second life where they can continue to be loved daily.

Bubs Bears ($92) are patchwork teddy bears made out of fabric from your offspring's clothes. Each 17-inch bear is handmade using swatches from garments sent to their designers. Bears can be made using a central theme, such as one color or character, or can be mismatched to create a more wild-looking plush animal. Send the designers some information about the bear – who it is for, why it is being made, etc. – and they will include a birth certificate with it, adding to the sense of nostalgia you'll feel when you look at your wee one's baby clothes years from now.

You can help the planet by unplugging your gadgets when they aren't in use, trading in your used video games for cash instead of tossing them in the landfill, and even repurposing your ink cartridges if you're on the crafty side. But what do you do with the gadgets and gizmos you just don't want to deal with anymore — like all those CDs you've added into your digital library?

Obviously, you can donate them or drop them off at the appropriate recycling center! An easy way to find such a thing is to check out 1800recycling.com. Just plug in your zip code, and it gives you a very thorough list of recycling centers and donation sites near you that accept everything from gadgets, home appliances, and hazardous materials.