With computers once again topping the “I Want it List for Christmas,” the question foremost in most people’s minds sooner or later is, what do I do with all those old gadgets to make room for the new toys I’m getting? Well, DIY Life has a few ideas, including what to do with batteries, empty paint cans, even used car safety seats. I’ve got a few myself:

1. Donate the computer to a worthy cause. Many charities or non profit organizations would welcome a newer PC than the ones they are currently using which may be dated back to the early nineties. And the donation would be tax deductible. The ones I like are Cellphones for Soldiers (started by former NFL QB Jim Kelly and 3-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother Robbie of Norwell, Massachusetts.) and Computers for Veterans.

2. Look for an eWaste roundup in your area. Electronics are filled with toxic materials – and some expensive ones – and communities will be happy to take it off your hands. Many have monthly ewaste roundups at local community colleges on weekends. Check your city’s website for more information.

3. Computers for School is a non profit which will collect your old PC and get it to a needy, and underfunded education program.

4. Dell Computer has a recycling program where they will take any computer off your hands and either donate them or dispose of them properly. And they even pickup. Best Buy has recycling bins in front of their stores for batteries, old cellphones, used printer cartridges, even televisions, computers, and appliances.

5. Sell it on eBay. If it’s not too old, and even if it is, a good practice is to sell that old gadget on eBay and use the money towards the new toy. This keeps the bank account, and the wife, very happy.

So, while it’s easy to just toss that tech in the trash, plastic, electronics, batteries, and circuit boards can plug our landfills and damage the environment. Thinking green can not only be profitable, but tax deductible.