Recycling routers

badger09

Having a clearout and have spare 2 routers - one never used. For security purposes, is it sufficient to just plug them into power supply & factory reset or is there something else I should do?

Neil_Jones

badger09 said:

Having a clearout and have spare 2 routers - one never used. For security purposes, is it sufficient to just plug them into power supply & factory reset or is there something else I should do?

If you've never used or even powered up the one router it'll never be configured, so either use it as a doorstop, sell it or throw it out.  The other router will only have an internet ID and password in it, if you're no long with that provider its moot anyway.  They don't hold any data.

Alternative uses are:

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/ways-reuse-old-router/

Rodders53

It might have your favourite WiFi network SSID and password stored?  But a factory reset will clear back to the defaults for the ISP at the time...

It's all I did before leaving the two ancient ones for or our recycling binmen (along with 4 11 year old smoke alarms).

J_B

When we were with Plusnet ages ago, they included a recycling bag with the new router - I managed to get about five into it to post back!! 🤣

badger09

Thanks all, and apologies for the delay. No idea what page this had slipped to, but only just got round to finding it via my profile.

In addition to the 2 I mentioned, I've come across at least another 2 from old provider BT. I'll just take them to the tip, where someone will recycle any useful bits.

JJ_Egan

BT ask for old routers back  via prepaid returns bag .

badger09

JJ_Egan said:

BT ask for old routers back  via prepaid returns bag .

They didn't ask when we left them, and one of them was at least 10 years old. Too late now.

Chino

badger09 said:

where someone will recycle any useful bits.

I doubt there will be any such "someone" at your local tip.

Neil_Jones

Chino said:

badger09 said:

where someone will recycle any useful bits.

I doubt there will be any such "someone" at your local tip.

All that happens at the tip with small electrical items is once the container is full the entire lot goes off to get shredded, so if it isn't useful now in its current state it never will be:

https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/how-is-it-recycled/electricals

forgotmyname

Keep the PSU, throw the innards away and keep the case. Nice for housing those little and not so little projects.

Power supplies tend to be decent also. Not super high amperage but designed to be on 24/7 for years.