How to Dispose Your Old Computer Properly

Computers are handy during their lifetime but once they’ve chewed their last byte, disposing of them properly can be a burden. Computers contain toxic chemicals and carcinogens that are hazardous to everyone’s health. Computer recycling can be of great benefit to both the environment and the economy. Estimates show that nearly 75% of outdated electronics are being stored, and if all that can be recycled, the savings in resources and to the environment will be enormous.

Reuse or Donate

There’s a saying that goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Donate your old but still usable computer to public schools, charities, or low-income families that may need them. If your computer is less than five years old, there’s a good chance that someone else will find it useful still. It feels good to know that you are able to help your less-fortunate neighbor acquire a computer that they can’t afford. What’s more, you’ll be in for a tax break!

Recycle

If donation for reuse or repair is not a viable option, you can send your computer for recycling to recycling companies. You should pick the recycling company that would reuse the parts they can and manage waste responsibly. They should be able to show you that parts don’t go to countries with poor ecological track records, like China, and that items like circuit boards and leaded glass get exported to green-friendly sites in developed nations.

Before sending your computer for recycling or for donating, you want to make sure that the data on your hard drive won’t go elsewhere. If you plan to clean it yourself, use a reliable disk cleaning software to avoid getting your personal data in the wrong hands. Other recycling companies wipe out your hard drive’s data for you and provide a certification for the process. You have to verify first before sending your computer if they offer this option.

Tagged as: Computer, Dispose, Properly