In a move that surprised absolutely nobody, Apple recently announced that its new iPhone 15 will use the industry-standard USB-C connector rather than its proprietary Lightning connector. That connector debuted with the iPhone 5 way back in 2012, so if you’re an Apple fan you’ve had ample time to amass about 20 of them. That is, unless they’ve broken on you, as they very often do. Apple’s Lightning cables have always shipped with an absurdly thin cable that looks elegant but breaks easily.
But let’s say you’ve been careful and as a result, you have a dozen or so Lightning connectors. Your new phone doesn’t use them, so what should you do?
First of all, save a couple of them
It may not seem like it now, but you’ll run into a situation sometime in the next few years where you might need them. It might be an older relative visiting, or someone at work who hasn’t been lucky enough to upgrade. Take two or three that in the best shape and just stick them in a drawer. If a decade goes by and you haven’t used them, fine. But speaking from experience, I had someone who needed a 30-pin dock connector cable back in 2019, six years after the last one was made. I was happy to have one.
Second: don’t put them in the trash
There isn’t much copper in those cables, but there’s some. Copper is infinitely recyclable and it’s a waste just putting them in the landfill. Plus, the plastic sheath won’t degrade for hundreds of years if it’s buried. I have nightmares about every plastic thing I’ve put in the trash and how they’re all still out there somewhere. Don’t be that guy. You can go to most big box stores and they will take electronic waste for you. Goodwill dropoff points will generally also accept e-waste as long as it’s separated from the old plates and low-rise jeans you drop off there.
I wouldn’t bother getting an adapter
There are Lightning to USB-C adapters out there for purchase. Apple has an official one for about $30 which is ridiculous when a USB-C cable can be had for $5. The adapters will generally pass power but not data, meaning that you can’t really use them for everything you want. They’ll end up just being wasted, so don’t bother with them
Apple’s fears
Apple isn’t even trying to deny that they added USB-C to iPhones because they had to. The European Community requires all phones use a common charge port. Apple initially tried to convince the EC not to do that, claiming it would stifle innovation and cause mountains of unintended waste as Lightning cables would clog landfills.
I think that’s a bit dramatic, and even Apple has stopped saying it. I get that Apple is trying to become a sustainable company but rather than railing against the inevitable move to USB-C they could pay you a buck or whatever for old Lightning cables which they could then strip and recycle.
The truly goofy stuff
Don’t forget that old cables and other stuff like that can be used for art projects, as ways to tie things together, and all matter of silliness. Use an old Lightning cable instead of shoelaces in your kicks. Use them to tie holiday lights around trees. I’m talking about that sort of thing. There’s nothing stopping you from getting innovative when it comes to reusing old tech. I would never recommend sending them to politicians you don’t like, as that could potentially be seen as a crime. So, please, forget I said that.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for new cables for your phone or for anything else, shop at Solid Signal for the best selection!
