We all have one. That drawer, that box, that corner of the house full of cables you don't know what they're for but can't bring yourself to throw away "just in case." USB cables, old phone chargers, printer cables, HDMI, Ethernet, audio, video, adapters you don't recognize. Here's what to do with all of that in Panama.
The problem with electronic cables
Electronic cables are one of the most common and least recycled types of waste. In Panama, most end up in the regular trash. The problem is they contain copper, PVC, and other materials that contaminate soil and water when they break down in a landfill.
The copper alone in cables is valuable. Copper is one of the most recyclable metals in existence. It can be melted and reused infinitely without losing quality. A kilo of cables contains enough copper to make recovery worthwhile.
Step 1: Separate what's useful from what's not
Before thinking about donating, organize. Pull out all the cables and sort them:
Cables you probably still need:
- USB-C (the current standard for phones and laptops)
- HDMI (for monitors, TVs, projectors)
- Ethernet (for wired internet)
- Chargers for your current phone and laptop
- 3.5mm audio cable (headphones, speakers)
Cables you probably don't need anymore:
- VGA and DVI (old monitor connectors, blue and white)
- Parallel printer cables (that wide connector)
- Chargers for phones you no longer own
- Mini-USB cables (the standard before micro-USB)
- RCA audio cables (red, white, yellow)
- Optical audio cables (Toslink)
- Old PC power cables (the ones with 3 round pins)
Step 2: Donate them to Crezendo, regardless of their condition
At Crezendo, we value every cable. Whether they are in perfect condition, slightly used, damaged, or completely obsolete, your cables have a new purpose with us. We accept cables of all types and in any condition!
Why donate to Crezendo?
- Reuse in workshops: Functional cables and many damaged or old ones are essential for our educational workshops and repair projects. They allow our participants to learn about electronics, repair, and sustainability, giving these cables a second useful life.
- Responsible recycling: Cables that cannot be reused in our workshops are processed through specialized recycling channels, ensuring their components (like valuable copper) are recovered safely and in an environmentally responsible manner, preventing landfill contamination.
Cables Crezendo always needs: While we accept all cables, some are particularly useful for our projects and workshops:
- USB cables (especially USB-C, Micro-USB, Mini-USB)
- Phone and laptop chargers (even older models)
- HDMI, VGA, DVI cables
- Ethernet cables
- Audio and video cables (3.5mm, RCA, optical)
- PC and other device power cables
- Power adapters of all types
It doesn't matter if your cables are tangled, cut, or just very old. At Crezendo, we find a purpose for them!
Ready to free up your cable drawer?
Don't let your cables gather dust or end up polluting. Give them a new life and contribute to tech education and responsible recycling in Panama.
Donate your cables to Crezendo today! Visit our donation page for more information on how to drop off your cables: crezendo.org/donate
