| Computers can be a great asset while they are | | | | answer these questions, it is best to find another place |
| working, but once they are broken, they can be difficult | | | | to donate to. |
| to dispose of. Computers are filled with toxic | | | | Another great option is to check and see if your |
| chemicals, carcinogens, and heavy metals to make | | | | computer manufacturer has a recycling program. |
| them work. However, if they are disposed of | | | | Although these companies often charge fees and |
| improperly it can lead to problems. | | | | require you to pay and do the packing and shipping, it is |
| The recycling of computers is not a new trend, but it | | | | still a very safe option. The Silicon Valley Toxics |
| can be a bit difficult to do responsibly. For many years | | | | Coalition is a great guide for responsible recycling of |
| developed countries have sent tons of electronic | | | | electronic goods. They currently publish a report card |
| waste to China for cheap, labor-intensive recycling and | | | | on the environmental effectiveness of manufacturer |
| disposal. Since 2000, importing electronic waste to | | | | take-back programs.eBay hosts The Rethink Program, |
| China for improper recycling and dumping has been | | | | which has an excellent recycling FAQ section along |
| illegal. However, that has not stopped it from coming | | | | with many links to recyclers. Some other great |
| into the country. | | | | sources for e-cycling information are from |
| How to Get Clean Recycling | | | | CompuMentor's Tech Soup Site and the EPA's |
| The best way to obtain clean recycling of electronic | | | | eCycling website. However, it is important to keep in |
| goods is to ask questions. Any reputable recycler | | | | mind that the recyclers that are listed have not been |
| should be able to inform you as to where electronic | | | | checked out or approved by these organizations in |
| components are sent and if the company exports | | | | any way. The Basel Action Network houses a list of |
| these recyclables or uses prison labor. The recycler | | | | electronics recyclers that have all signed their |
| should also be able to inform you as to how they | | | | stewardship pledge. Under this pledge, recyclers agree |
| handle data destruction. If you are donating a | | | | to not export electronic waste, add it to landfills, use |
| computer, it is important to have the hard drive wiped | | | | prison labor, and to document where equipment is sent. |
| clean for you so that any personal information that | | | | If your electronics still work, then try to find a way to |
| may be contained on it can not be shared. | | | | reuse them. You can give it away to someone in need |
| If you have chosen to donate your old equipment to | | | | of that item. There are also companies like RetroBox |
| an organization that can reuse it, be sure to ask if the | | | | and FreeGeek that rebuild computers using salvaged |
| equipment is tested and if they only ship working | | | | parts. FreeGeek also has a list of similar organizations |
| equipment. You can also ask which organizations | | | | that can be a great place to start your electronic |
| receive the old equipment. If they are unable to | | | | recycling or the reuse of your machine. |