(Photo: Samsung) Old smartphones are at best recycled and at worst left in a drawer or thrown in the trash. Samsung offers another option for its Galaxy handsets, though, by extending their life—but not as a smartphone. Rather than recycling, Samsung embraced "upcycling" in 2017 and suggested turning your old phone into an IoT hub, CCTV system, game console, or a desktop PC. Today, the Galaxy Upcycling program expanded to include the option to turn a handset into a smart home device using its light and sound sensors. "We created Galaxy Upcycling at Home to enable more people to repurpose their old devices into useful tools, allowing both Samsung and our users to be mindful of the impact we have on the environment," said Sung-Koo Kim, VP of the Sustainability Management Office, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. "We are rethinking how we use existing resources, and we believe the key to upcycling is to enable solutions that transform old technology into something new by adding value. We are committed to integrating sustainable practices into our day-to-day lives, and through Galaxy Upcycling at Home, users can join our journey toward a more sustainable future."