We live in a largely disposable world, where objects are not made with service in mind.

When your coffee grinder breaks, must people throw it out and get a new one for $15. For the most part, we buy our electronics - computer gadgets, phones, stereos - on the internet or from large corporations. But there is another way to acquire electronics.

Then, there are folks who take their electronics very seriously. Many of those folks live in Silicon Valley and they occasionally get together for a huge swap meet involving Russian batteries, light rays, and antennae.

The flea market aims to recycle electronic waste, including fluorescent bulbs, batteries, and items containing mercury. It is illegal to put these items in the trash in California - and there are many engineers out there who could use that coffee grinders motor that would otherwise be disposed of.

The flea market benefits not only the sellers but the Association of Silicon Valley Amateur Radio Organizations.

Update as of December 2022: The market is currently on hold due to location issues. Check the website for any changes.