Written by the Treasureguide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
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| Hard Drive From Old Laptop Computer. |
If you have old computers, they eventually wear out, are broken or become obsolete. It isn't easy to know how to dispose of them properly. I hate wasting good reusable or salvageable materials, but the easiest thing to do is dump old electronic items in the trash without regard to either the precious or hazardous materials they might contain. And it isn't easy to salvage the precious materials that you can find in the items, such as gold, silver, copper or platinum. Of course, those precious materials are in very small quantities and are not removed very profitably. Nonetheless, instead of just throwing them in the trash to be sent to the landfill, I like to take them apart, destroy items that can contain private information, and separate some of the parts that can have some value, and put them in a bucket with other accumulated scrap. Some parts can be sold for a few dollars or cents and others reused or repurposed. Some can be given or sold to others who can more efficiently recover anything worth value.
I like to get the neodymium magnets that are found in hard drives, and I always think about how circuit boards and other parts could be turned into art. In my area, almost any old appliances or anything like that can be put out by the road and it will be picked up by scrappers. Even in that case should still remove the parts that might contain personal data. That includes the hard drives and possibly other items.
You can find YouTube videos showing how to recover the metals, including gold, and how much the scrap is worth. One way or another you probably will want to destroy hard drives.
Some quality parts in good condition can be sold for a decent price.
...According to a recent report published by Research and Markets, less than 20 percent of electronics are recycled safely.
Since many people don’t know what to do with old or unwanted devices, they end up throwing them in the trash, where they eventually end up in landfills.
The problem is, unlike regular trash, electronics have specific components in them that can become hazardous to the environment and human health....
Enter ecoATM, which is trying to reduce the amount of e-waste with its kiosks in malls and stores, like Walmart and Kroger, located around the country.
You can take your old smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, or other smaller electronic devices, drop them in an ecoATM kiosk, and receive a cash payment. The company does the hard part (recycling them) for you...
Here is the link for more about that.
E-Waste Crisis: Why Recycling Old Electronics Is Crucial
Some companies such as Best Buy will accept electronics and appliances to be recycled. Some companies will actually pay a small amount for qualifying electronics and others will give a credit.
Here is another link.
You Can Recycle Your Old Computers and Printers for Free. Here's Where
Here are some of the things you might be able to turn into cash.Non-Ferrous Scrap Metals: Copper, Coated and Insulated Wire, Covered or Stripped/Bare Cable, Aluminum, Brass, Radiators, Stainless Steel, Shavings, Turnings, Clips, and more
Ferrous Scrap Metals: Scrap Iron, Scrap Steel, Motors, Tin, Sheet Metal, Appliances, Plate and Structural Steel, Prepared and Unprepared Iron, and more
Lead-Acid Batteries (i.e. automotive, etc.)
Computer Towers and LaptopsMonitors & TVs
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If you understand the psychology of jewelry, that might help you find to identify good metal detecting sites. I've talked about that some in the past.
Below is a list of some of the reasons people wear jewelry.
- Historical Significance: Jewelry has represented social hierarchy, power, and cultural values across civilizations, from ancient Egypt and Rome to medieval Europe and indigenous tribes.
- Cultural and Social Factors: Jewelry is pivotal in cultural rituals and social hierarchy, playing roles in weddings, religious ceremonies, and symbolizing status and achievements across diverse cultures.
- Personal Expression and Identity: Jewelry allows individuals to showcase their personal style and preferences, often holding sentimental value that connects them to special memories or loved ones.
- Psychological and Emotional Benefits: Wearing jewelry can enhance self-confidence and emotional well-being, serving as a form of self-expression and a source of emotional attachment.
- Economic and Investment Value: Jewelry holds significant financial value, with gold and precious gems serving as investments that can appreciate over time. Ethical and sustainable practices are increasingly influencing the market.
- Health and Spiritual Benefits: Certain metals and gemstones in jewelry are believed to offer health benefits and spiritual well-being, acting as protective talismans and enhancing physical and mental health.
Here is the link for more about that.
Some of the finds I've shown in recent posts are clear expressions of those motivations.
The national championship ring find that I pointed out not long ago, illustrates another motive.
Championship rings express personal identity and group membership, but also accomplishment. A championship ring is a type of wearable trophy,
Some national playoff teams stay at Florida hotels or resorts, especially in Miami and Fort Lauderdale but also occasionally along the Treasure Coast. These teams can have over fifty team members and can be accompanied by bands and other college groups. The great thing about sports teams though, is that they are composed of young very active people who tend to be relatively affluent and, in many cases, careless and rowdy. That can result in a lot of lost rings and jewelry items.
It is no accident that some very good finds come from athletic teams, up to the professional level. One place I found some very good things was the site where a TV show filmed a competition between national sports champions from various sports that competed on a Florida beach. There is a lot going on there that makes for a good metal detecting site.
You can have a bunch of very wealthy people with very good jewelry, but if they are older and more sedentary and careful, there will not be as many losses. In previous posts, I told how you can evaluate a site to some extent by looking not only at the number of people, but also the characteristics of those people.
Locals lose less than tourists who may not know how easily things can be lost in water when wearing suntan lotion, and they may not think of taking precautions before jumping in the surf and may not feel comfortable about leaving valuables in hotel rooms if they do think about it.
Some jewelry, besides providing personal expression, can also be a conversation starter, especially when it is an expression of group membership or special interests. If you wear an eight-reale as a pendant, others interested in metal detecting or Spanish coins will have something to talk to you about. I've seen that many times, but I've also found that some people wear treasure coins that know virtually nothing about them.
I'll wind this up now, but an awareness of the psychology of jewelry can help you select good metal detecting sites.
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Canada ended production of its cents (officially referred to by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) as one-cent coins) on May 4, 2012, and stopped distributing them on Feb. 4, 2013. Cents dated 1982-2012 still have technical legal tender status in amounts up to 25 cents, though older cents tend to be treated as also being legal tender.
Businesses may continue to accept these coins voluntarily but are encouraged to round transactions to the nearest five cents. Virtually all Canadian businesses no longer accept cents in payment. Transactions settled by checks or payment cards can still be paid to the exact cent.
People can still deposit cents into their Canadian bank accounts for full value, and the bank returns them to the Bank of Canada to remove them from circulation.
However, on Jan. 1, 2021, Canada removed the legal tender status of its previously issued currency in the denominations of $1.00, $2.00, $25.00, $500.00, and $1,000.00. People can still deposit them in their Canadian financial accounts for full face value, where such notes are also returned to the Bank of Canada to be removed from circulation.
Here is that link.
Will U.S. Mint Melt Down Older Lincoln Cents? - Numismatic News
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There are no significant changes in the surf forecast or tides.
Good hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net