I’ve amassed too many pieces of consumer electronics. CD players, VHS decks, USB hubs, printers, DSL modems…the list is endless. Most of this stuff works and looks “as new” but it’s been superceded by newer technology.

These bits of legacy electronics find refuge in my garage until I decide what to do with them. Goodwill was a great place to give a printer a new home but they’re no longer allowed to take electronics. Our trashwaste management department won’t take them either. All that leaves is a hazardous waste recycling center which is inconveniently open Monday to Wednesday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

I hate going to the hazardous waste place because most of my old electronics are in fine working order. Surely someone could use them and be appreciative of a new (old) printer. There is always friends and colleagues but most have their own stockpile of old equipment and don’t need mine.

It finally hit me…the nice woman who cleans our home. She was nearly ecstatic when I gifted her an old HP OfficeJet all-in-one printer. It works great if you don’t mind the (large) size and parallel printer cable.

Knowing her family can use the printer is better than reclaiming room in my garage. After all, it avoids the landfill and will keep doing what it does best: print, copy, and scan.

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