I'll show you how to stay safe while working with sensitive electronics and circuitry.

You might be able to find the mini solar panels at a store that sells science or electronics equipment; otherwise you can order them online. Please note, you'll also be cutting the wire on the cell phone charger, so make sure it's not the only one you have! You can often find cheap chargers at discount stores like Big Lots -- it doesn't matter if it's AC or car compatible, since you'll only be using the end that plugs in your phone.

MATERIALS:

• 1 Altoids Tin case
• 2 Mini Solar Panels (3V 20mA each)
• 1 Solder (3")
• 1 Small Heat Shrink Tubing (4")
• 1 Large Heat Shrink Tubing (4")
• 1 Double Sided Tape (3")
• 1oz Flux
• 1 Solder Iron
• 1 Heat Gun
• 1 Wire Stripper
• 1 cell phone charger

Tossing old computers and electronics in the trash is bad for the planet. Techno-Guru Lloyd gives a smarter alternative.

Some helpful e-cycling links:

- Verizon Wireless Hopeline
Feel doubly good, as not only does this program recycle or refurbish your old wireless phones and equipment, it also uses the proceeds to support domestic violence prevention.

- Verizon Battery Recycling Program
Just drop your old cell phone battery off at any Verizon Wireless retail store, and keep all those heavy metals out of the landfill.

- Earth 911
This site has a bunch of informative articles on e-waste and e-cycling.

- How to Recycle Your Computer
Treehugger.com article.