Tips for Recycling Digital Cameras: Data & Accessories

Here are some things to think about and prepare before recycling your digital camera

1. Data: cameras store photos, obviously, but here is one thing you might not realize. Digital cameras can have both an SD Card and Internal Memory. So don't forget to check/clear the internal memory after you have checked the SD Card.
2. Parts: If you have extra lenses or batteries or a charger/cable these things can be helpful for us or other recyclers when attempting to find a market to repurpose these items.
3. Carrying Cases/Bags: Feel free to bring us the case/bag. When we resell/repurpose cameras this can be helpful for the next recipient. But, don't forget to check the pockets for your belongings!
4. Pairing: If it has bluetooth or wifi, remove pairings.

Data/Pairings

Make sure you determine if you want to keep the photos. If so back them up from internal storage or remove the SD Card and keep that on you before recycling. Best practice is to run a factory reset if you can. There can be additional data like wifi, accounts, or GPS data stored in the camera. Delete all photos and videos from both the SD Card (if recycling it) as well as the internal memory. Factory resets can also help to remove those device pairings that may have been created during its use.

Parts

We can handle both the battery and the camera. So no need to remove it. If you have extra batteries you can bring those to us as well. If it is being resold it can increase value, if not they are still important to recycle properly. Same with the carrying case and any chargers or relevant cables. The next use can benefit from these and if not we can make good use out of the material from at least the cables and power adapters. Check for lens cap, tripod mount/plates, external flashes, straps, usb adapters.

Here is a checklist

1. Check the photos, need to keep them?
2. Wipe any data including photos, account information, etc
3. Gather parts and accessories
4. Drop them off for recycling