[serf]

>I was so done with it that I just dropped it in the trash (after wiping it, of course).

next time you have an urge to throw a battery-equipped device into the trash(!?), consider donation.

you may not like the device but someone out there may be thrilled at the chance to de-solder some useful components.

[robolange]

Most of the hardware I've ever owned I still have, either in working order or as component boards decorating my walls. I recall my emotion when disposing of the Freerunner was that it didn't deserve an epic funeral (the laser) or even the honor of being properly disassembled.

[ryukafalz]

The problem with throwing any kind of device that includes a lithium-ion battery in the trash is that lithium-ion batteries tend to catch fire when crushed. Like, say, in a trash truck's compactor.

Everyone: please do not do this. Dispose of your battery-powered devices somewhere that's equipped to handle them.

(Now, the Openmoko phones had a removable battery, so it's possible you didn't toss that out with it. Then it's "just" e-waste rather than explody e-waste.)

[cocoa19]

It might also be illegal to throw away lithium batteries in the trash, depending on where you live.

[robotbikes]

Yeah I had one and I donated it to a university computer science department in South America. I'm not sure if the students ever got much use out of it but I was happy to pass it on to someone who might have fun tinkering with it.

[Ma8ee]

Or at least send all electronics for recycling. Those precious metals don’t belong in landfills.