With the advent of all the new computer technology, human kind is creating a mountain of electronic and plastic waste that is impinging on landfills. Recycling computers has become an issue that faces us on a global scale and fortunately there are many ways you can dispose of your old computer without just tossing it into the trash bin to become yet another piece of interesting electronic trash for some archeologist of the future to find and ponder. The following are some different ways in which computer recycling can be used for your home or office computers when you next update to the latest and greatest model.
Consider donating your computers to organizations that are non-profit based. Many non-profit companies rely on used computers to update their own staff computers. Since they do not budget in new computers, they will be happy to take your two year old desktop or laptop and will often give you a tax write off. This is a nice way to give back to your community instead of contributing to landfill waste.
Another place you can donate older computers is to public school districts or special education facilities. Sadly, this is another group that has a limited budget for any sort of technological equipment. Your computer may seem old and out of date to you, but it would bring a smile to school kids who desperately need technological training to compete in today’s world, but attend their education at school districts with a limited computer budget. To get a tax write-off, you can usually donate your old computer through the schools PTO or PTA. The parent teacher organizations and parent teacher associations are almost always registered as non-profits and qualify for tax deductible receipting procedures.
If you would rather donate directly to a child in need, you could consider contacting your local pediatric hospital. Although more hospitals are providing computer access to in patients, many do not have the funds. There are chronically ill children who do not have a means of keeping in touch with children during lengthy hospital stays or homebound schooling due to illness. Providing a family with your used laptop or desktop may help them to stay in touch throughout the isolation of their illness. You won’t get a tax deduction, but you may find that the smile you placed on the face and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped another human in need feel much better than that slip of paper in your hand.
If donation is not the thing for you, there are companies out there that will take apart old electronic equipment such as computers or printers and reuse the parts that are recyclable. In general if you contact your local waste management program the staff can tell you which individuals or business in your community will take computers off your hands in order to recycle them. Most municipalities also have an annual or biannual time where the local waste management company collects old computers and used electronic devices to recycle at no charge or for a minimal fee.