Recycling an old iPod

A new iPod is on the way, and everybody loves the latest and greatest. Or maybe that first-generation click-wheeler you bought finally gave up the ghost, and you want to upgrade to a tiny little MP3 player.

If you're like me, you might have a drawer full of old iPods at home (honest, some were gifts!). What can you do with them?

If the device is still functional, try giving it away. If friends and family are all set with MP3 players, offer it to your local Freecycle group and someone will surely pick it up.

What about fixing it? Contrary to popular opinion, you can have the battery replaced on an iPod. You'll have to send the device back to Apple. The new battery will cost from $49 to $79 depending on the iPod model, plus shipping and tax.

If the iPod is truly dead, don't just throw it in the trash. The plastics and metals that make up the device can be recycled, if you take it to the right place.

The most obvious recycler is Apple itself. You can simply take the old iPod back to any Apple store, and you'll get a 10 percent discount off of a new iPod.

Or go to Apple's iPod recycling site, fill out a form, and request a prepaid mailing label. Then send in your old iPod. Apple also recycles cell phones of any make and model (not just iPhones).

Another way to recycle that dead 'pod is the site BuyMyTronics.com. This company buys used gadgets -- even non-working ones! -- and resells them. Broken electronics are scrapped for parts, so they're not wasted.

You get an immediate estimate for your device. I found that a totally dead first-generation iPod could earn about $4, while a working iPod Touch would garner nearly $100. BuyMyTronics also takes cell phones, PDAs, laptop computers, and game consoles.

So don't leave that old, sad iPod sitting in a drawer anymore. And definitely don't chuck it in the garbage. Give it back to Apple or recycle it for cash, and you can move on to the next song with a clear conscience.