Guide to Recycling and Disposing of Old Computer Equipment

If your computer is working, pay it forward

Your working computers and monitors may still have life in them. You can give them away or sell them to someone or to an organization that can really use them. Some charities will even come and pick up your used computer equipment.

I recommend: To give away your computer, try Freecycle, a service that allows you to give items to your local community, or list it as a freebie on Craigslist.  Share the Technology and Techsoup have databases to link donors and nonprofit recipients. Ebay also has tools for selling and trading in computers.

Find a compliant local recycler

Although federal law mandates guidelines for e-waste, your state laws may differ. For example, California's landmark Electronic Waste Recycling Act made it illegal to dump computer monitors and computer equipment containing hazardous materials in public landfills and imposed a fee at the time of sale. Always ask the recycler if they are conforming to state and federal laws. Find out where your e-waste is going and how it is going to be handled. The value of your computer is in the heavy metals; unscrupulous recyclers may sell the computers to traders who ship them to third-world countries with no environmental laws to protect workers or the environment.

I recommend: Take your e-waste to Basel Action Network’s Responsible E-Stewards and E-cyclers. If you can’t find a local responsible recycler there, click on your state at the Consumer Education Initiative (CEI) Web site.  More information about your state environmental protection agency is available from the Environmental Protection Agency’s state listings.

Erase your data

U.S. corporations must comply with a variety of laws and regulations regarding the removal of data from computers they donate, recycle or dispose of. There are several software programs that will erase data from your hard drive. Note that some people believe that if hackers really want to get a hold of your data, they will be able to access it even if you use data-erasing software.

I recommend: Use a data eraser program such as Active@ Kill Disk, BCWipe, WipeDrive, Disk Wiper, Eraser Pro or Drive Scrubber.

Destroy hard drives that have top secret or sensitive data

Prevent confidential data from falling into the wrong hands by having your hard drives destroyed. Make sure you choose a data destruction service that’s certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) so you can be confident that all the data has been destroyed.

I recommend: Use the search engine at the NAID We site to find a Data Destruction Certified Operator near you.  Make sure that they provide clear data destruction policies such as E-Cycle Environmental.

Choose merchants who provide recycling programs

Facilitate removal of your old equipment by purchasing computer equipment from vendors who offer recycling services.

I recommend: When you buy a new Dell desktop or notebook and select the free recycling option at the time of purchase, Dell will recycle your old PC and monitor at no cost to you (even if it isn't a Dell-branded product.) Dell also recycles all Dell-Branded products for free. HP offers free and low-cost recycling programs. Apple offers a free recycling program of old computers and monitors with the purchase of a new Mac.  Best Buy offers recycling events.

Recycle printer supplies, too

Did you know that three to four quarts of oil are used to make a toner cartridge? And half a gallon is used to make an inkjet cartridge? Environmentally conscious companies can reduce waste by recycling printer supplies. Many manufacturers and office supply retailers offer recycling programs that make it easy for small businesses to recycle.

I recommend: HP and Dell both offer recycling programs for printer supplies. Office Depot collects printer cartridges and supports PTAs with free boxes and gift cards for collecting cartridges. Toner Cartridge Depot will send you a box for cartridges and either send you a check or donate the proceeds to the March of Dimes. If you have more than 10 cartridges, you can sell them for cash at Empty Solution. Sell your laser toner cartridges to Toner Buyer.