Your old could be someone's new!
Not Your spouse!
Disclaimer - I have used AI assistance to create the bone structure of this post. It is not a copy-paste post and I encourage to keep reading. I have edited it heavily, deleted generic filler material and silly content.
Rapid advancement of technology and manufacturer greed means that many of our gadgets break down quickly, contributing to a growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste) which is a significant environmental concern. According to the United Nations, only 22% of global e-waste was formally recycled in 2022 - fact-check here. The rest ends up in landfills, causing soil and water pollution. By upgrading or modifying existing devices, we extend their lifetime and postpone the purchase of a new one.
DIY projects offer us an opportunity to learn new skills. Whether it's soldering, replacing rubber fuel lines or sawing blocks of wood, each project teaches us something new. These skills could come in handy later down the road. Completing a DIY project is satisfying. The sense of accomplishment that comes from building or fixing something with my own hands boosts self-confidence. This, in turn motivates us to take on more challenging projects.
Some example DIY upcycle projects
Turn an old laptop into something. If you have an old laptop gathering dust, consider turning it into a media center, a local server, or a controller. I know a guy who turned an old laptop into a local server. He is a professional photographer and he stores a backup of his work this way. Another guy I know is a 3D printer enthusiast. He has several printer builds going on and he stripped a motherboard from an old laptop to use it as a controller. I also have an old laptop that has Win10. As support will end soon for this, I guess it will be a perfect machine for me to dip my toes into the Linux world.
Create a smart home hub. With a few modifications, an old smartphone or tablet can be transformed into a smart home hub. You can use it to control smart lights, thermostats, and other IoT devices. I heat my home with electrical floor heating when I am lazy. I pay stock market price for electricity which is very volatile. My thermostat is very old and can be adjusted manually only. I have been thinking for a while to replace it with a smart one to save on electricity bills. I could use my old tablet as a control panel.
You can build your own retro gaming console using an old computer. Now I am not so sure about this one. I have an old Dell XPS 630 desktop in the attic. 20 years ago, it was a state-of-the-art machine. Dual SLI Nvidia cards, stainless steel chassis. It weighs 20kgs, runs Windows Vista and still works. I should find a new use for it. It is definitely not going into a land-fill!
DIY security camera system. Old webcams or smartphones can be repurposed. Unfortunately, I have no webcams or such as I am an introvert. But I have been thinking about setting up outside cameras on my premises. Another future project!
Upcycle old speakers. If you have old speakers lying around, you can upgrade them into a wireless audio system. This project is not only functional but also adds a modern touch to vintage equipment. This is something I am currently in the middle of and You can read more about it First part in our speaker upcycling posts here.
Finding inspiration and learning from experts
The internet is a treasure trove of information and inspiration for DIY projects. YouTube, Instructables, and Hackster are home to countless tutorials and project ideas shared by experienced builders. Following these creators can provide valuable insights and motivation to start your own projects. Online forums and communities like Reddit's r/DIY and r/electronics are great places to connect with like-minded individuals. These communities offer a supportive environment where you can ask questions, share your progress, and get feedback from experienced builders. I have joined very many Reddit communities. I have asked for help and advice many times and mostly folks are friendly.
Document Your builds and share knowledge
Sharing your knowledge with others is a great way to give back to the DIY community. Create tutorials or blog posts detailing your projects, including step-by-step instructions and photos. This is what I am striving for with this site - to document my journey and perhaps offer something to someone who could be looking for this info.
Time to revive these old dust-collecting devices!