Computer Recycling Sites

Advantages of Computer Recycling

The useful life of a computer is only about three to five years. The old computer is often replaced by a computer with a faster operating system, more memory or more features. Many people don't know what to do with their old computer. They may hold onto it as a "back-up" in case the new computer needs repair, give it to the kids to use or put it in the garage.

Computers can be recycled and given a second life. The computer can be given away for use by another individual or organization that may not have the funds to purchase a new computer. If the computer is not working it can be repaired or broken down for parts or raw materials such as precious metals, plastics and glass. These materials can be reused or disposed of using methods that minimize pollution and global warming.

The advantages of reusing or recycling computers are to:

• Reduce environmental risks by diverting computers and potential hazardous materials from land fills.
• Extend the useful life of the computer.
• Provide computers to individuals and organizations that decide not purchase new equipment.
• Provide parts and materials that can be used to refurbish old computers or produce new ones.

Preparing the Computer

As a computer ages, its value decreases and it might be less attractive as a donation. A computer over five years old will usually require too much time and resources to repair and upgrade in order to make it usable again.

There are several important things you should do before you donate a computer or hand it over for recycling:

• Analyze the equipment to determine if it is still working:
  • If it is still working – It may have been working when you transferred it from your desk to the garage, but that doesn't mean it is still working today.
  • If it is not working – Decide if the parts can be used to repair or upgrade other computer systems you have.
• Remove sensitive and personal information and files from the hard drives. Remember that deleted information and files will stay on the hard drive unless permanently erased by special drive-cleaning software programs that make your data unrecoverable.
• Decide how you want to recycle the computer:
  • Donate for Reuse
  • Recycle for Parts
  • Return to Manufacturer or Retailer
• Find a computer recycling site

Donate for Reuse

Donating a working computer extends the life of the computer and delays its trip to the land fill. It may be a great way for a school, nonprofit organization or lower-income family to receive a computer that they could not otherwise afford.

You can either:

• Donate the computer directly.
• Give the computer to an organization that will evaluate the computer, make necessary upgrades and repairs, add current software and locate a potential recipient of the computer. These might be nonprofit organizations, to which you may be asked to make a contribution. Or these might be private companies, called refurbishers, which will charge you a fee, but will pass the computer on at little or no cost to the school or organization.

Some schools and organizations may not accept direct donations since they don't have anyone on staff to analyze the incoming donations, diagnose problems, repair hardware and make upgrades when necessary. Other organizations have chosen to minimize the time required for upgrading by setting minimum computer requirements such as a Pentium II processor, a 14-inch monitor or Windows 98. They may not accept equipment that does not meet their requirements.

If the computer is not working, it can be given to organizations and companies that refurbish computers by repairing or replacing parts, upgrading memory and installing new software. You may be asked to pay a "recycling fee."

Recycle for Parts

You can send your used computer for recycling if repair or donation of the computer for reuse is not practical.

Your computer will be disassembled. The circuit boards and hard drive will be removed, and possibly resold as parts. The raw materials such as plastic, metal and glass will be removed and set aside for processing or recovery.

Return to Manufacturer or Retailer

Several manufacturers and retailers offer special programs where they will accept old computers for recycling. The computers can be returned to a local store in some programs. Other programs require the computer to be shipped to a specific address. There is usually no cost to return the computer, however the cost of shipping may not be reimbursed.

Finding Computer Recycling Sites

Over 1,000 municipalities offer computer and electronics collections as part of household hazardous waste collection programs. Public, private and charitable organizations also accept computers and arrange for donations, refurbishing and raw material recycling:

• Regional and state eCycling programs
• Local electronic recycling sites
• State-by-state listing of private and non-profit recyclers
• Charity-oriented computer recycling projects
• Recycles.org Non-profit recycling network
• Computer Recycling USA