what happens to used electronic gadgets that are disposed at collection outlets to save them from landfill?

good world gadgets image

goodinthec

When you take your old mobile phone, laptop ipod etc to a "green" collection point to avoid it going to landfill, what happens to it?

Do they get re-sold as secondhand equipment?
Do they get disassembled and their internal components re-sold to manufacturers or retailers?
Do the internal components get physically separated as scrap copper/steel/aluminium etc?
Do they end up as landfill?

Are these reputable businesses providing a genuine environmentally friendly service, providing an additional source of income or marketing themselves as "green" and still sending these gadgets to landfill?

Answer
probably sold to third world countries to be reverse engineered so they may gain technology

What is the computer/gadget equivalent of a "gearhead"?

Moore

A "gearhead" is a person with an inborn talent for cars and mechanical technology like motors. A UK variant is "Petrol head" which is is more specific to cars and driving.

So, what do you call someone who has an uncanny knack for computers and generally IT stuff like gadgets and phones, despite having no formal education in them? You probably know somebody likes this, who will just pick up your phone or laptop having never seen it before, and within 5 minutes can tell you exactly whats wrong with it or 10 things you didn't know it could do.

Answer
The Computer World equivelent is generally called a Tech or a Geek...

Or, occasionally, a TechnoGeek. If they are into the software more than the hardware, they are either Programmers or Hackers, depending on which way they lean.

Good Luck!

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