**A great deal of the e-waste I come across here in California (at e-waste recycling centers/etc.) is actually fully usable. Computers which were running Windows 7 but run Linux fine; my GPS unit I snagged off the top of the e-waste pile; all my network switches; four servers... every one of my computer monitors except one (provided by work).
@ai6yr I have seen some YouTubes by some guys who seem to have a fun and useful business. They run those weekend recycling drop-offs, probably with a little cash flow from the government and the organizer, and then they sort it all. The best goes to eBay, the intermediate goes to materials handlers, but probably the worst is sent in bulk overseas.
@tsherrygeo I've got a rackmount 10/100/1000 switch (out of an ewaste pile), because it was a lot cleaner to connect a bunch of Raspberry Pis off that. I am waiting to run across a PoE capable switch, which would be the only reason currently to switch that hardware out (minus a failure).
@ai6yr pretty much the only complaint I have about my local landfill is their 'no scavenging' rule.
Their electronics are in a completely separate location from all other waste & I've seen So Much that I'd walk out with if not for that rule.
They even that section under digital surveillance.
It's bizarre.
I've only lucked out once - someone was dropping off a stack of Cisco switches years ago and I asked him to put them in my truck bed instead of the waste pile.
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