Recycling computers

Yeah, electronic waste is quite a big problem...back in college, I got to watch a few of the films on the subject from the Basel Action Network.  I definitely recommend checking them out.  It's not exactly light subject material...but it gives a great overview of e-waste dumping.

I also just found this video from GOOD Magazine that used some of BAN's footage:

Another option (at least for you, it doesn't solve the end of life problem) is to donate it to a local school.

Local schools can generally always find a use for computers - especially special education classrooms.

I try to retrofit my old computers into internet appliances that are secure and stable enough to give to people who don't need a computer except to browse the internet and email their family members. Of course, this just prolongs the computer's life and really doesn't help what happens at its 'death'.

I just try to recycle them when I can and hope for the best.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwi 

 

Another option (at least for you, it doesn't solve the end of life problem) is to donate it to a local school.

 

Local schools can generally always find a use for computers - especially special education classrooms.

Yes I agree with Kiwi that recycling computers can be donate to school

I love it that you found something to recycle your electronic waste..I have a suggestion as well try Houston Computer Recycle they do a good 

This green company does office clearance in the UK, I'm pretty sure they would be able to recycle the computers to.

If you want to recycle your computer you can take:
In the cities there is a place for electronic waste.
Some plants recycle the materials it is made the computer, shredding, separating and getting new material.
When you buy a new product equivalent to the old, the seller is responsible for collecting the used equipment.
Donate your PC to NGOs, local associations, schools, etc

Here in California recycling the CRT monitor or any TV is free (paid for by a fee on new ones) and in the city anyway it's easy to find a place to take them.  Besides the city's own recycling program we have Green Citizen http://www.greencitizen.com/ who will take most any kind of eWaste for a very small fee.

On re-using be careful, older computer use way more power than new ones and often don't have any concept of 'low power mode' or sleep.  So you're keeping some heavy metals out of the dump but causing more coal to be burned and mercury to be introduced into the ocean.  You can find a new computer would be able to do the job of several older ones and still uses less power than even one.

Also if you have confidential information on your computer (bank accounts, passwords, photos, love letters, email, ...) - it is still there even if it won't boot up.  You can remove the hard disk and smash it with a hammer* - put it back inside and then recycle it.  This would destroy your information.

*Lie the drive flat, they are rectangular often with a circular portion inside the rectangle.  Take a hard pointed object like a punch and drive it through the center of the rectangle.  You don't need to pulverize the entire drive just break the disks which is not hard.

I work for a company called All Green Electronics Recycling and we recycle computers, monitors, TVs, phones, and basically anything that plugs into the wall for free. There is a small fee for data destruction fee if you need that, but other than that ... We refurbish computers if possible, and if not, we break them apart for parts and materials. Anything that can't be reused is disposed of in an environmentally-safe way.

We currently have locations available all over California and we'll soon be open in New York as well.

Totally not trying to sound like an advertiser here, I saw this post and couldn't help but throw in yet another place.

Other than electronics recycling places, old computers can often be donated if they are in a good working condition. I know a lot of schools are tight on money.

I am from Spain and I need to say that people here doesn´t care at all about recycling. People even don´t have different trashes in their houses.

That's scary when you think about it, but I am aware of the fact that Mediterranean countries do not have the same awareness for pollution as some other countries, e.g. Skandinavians, etc. Scary, really, but not much we can do about it.

Yes, my sister is a special needs child and giving to special education programs will help with better development.

I love recycling my computers, well all of my electronics. I have my own business and I must say that when I recycle my electronics I know that I don't have to ever worry about what I'm going to do with them and have them build up at either my business or at my house. The one place that I go when I have to recycle electronics is a place called trade 2 save. It is simply amazing. They do such amazing work there and I wanted to share this with everyone. You have to check it out.

I seen some great suggestions when it comes to donating used computer equipment. I donate mine to the local community action program, if it is reusable someone that is in need for one will end up with it. Its a win-win situation :)

Also, please do not forget to recycle your remanufactured toner cartridges , it is estimated that 300 million empty cartridges end up in our landfills here in the US and around the world each year. It takes up to 1,000 years for just one of these to decompose.

Lindenbrooke

@swim4fun   You are right there are a lot of great resources here when it comes to recycling and reuse. It really could be a greener world if more people were aware of what was out there.

Remanufactured Toner Cartridges for a greener tomorrow.