Where to Recycle & Donate

Computer recycling is an important step in ensuring that the technology we use every day doesn’t become obsolete. It also ensures that the resources used to make a single computer can be reused for something else instead of being wasted and causing harm to our environment. Computers and their parts contain a lot of valuable metals such as aluminum, copper, chromium, silicon, nickel, cadmium and mercury. When those metals are thrown away improperly, they can leach into the soil and water and poison our ecosystem.

In addition to the valuable metals in computers, there are other things that should be recycled as well. For example, the interior copper of electrical wiring, phone charger cables and audio cords are all recyclable. They’re not permitted in landfills, where they seep out and mix into the earth, but you can send them to a company that recycles these types of items and they will turn them into something new. They will even provide a label that lets you specify a charity to donate the proceeds to, making it a great way to support your local schools and other organizations.

Before the computer equipment can be repurposed for other uses, it has to be dismantled and separated. This is a process that requires trained professionals, because the computer hardware is usually full of micro parts that can be reused if they’re handled properly. Most recycling facilities have a team of information technology experts that can disassemble the device to make sure all the reusable parts are saved and not disposed of incorrectly.

Computer Recycling – Where to Recycle & Donate

Once the e-waste has been dismantled, it is then sent to a processing plant where it can be sorted for the different materials. Once the different parts have been categorized, they can be sold to different industries for manufacturing purposes. Some parts of a computer may not be reused, so those can go to a shredder or a landfill to be disposed of correctly.

Those looking to recycle their old computer towers can do so at many places in the country. Staples, for instance, has a program that will recycle most types of electronics and is free to use. They also have a trade-in program, which is a great way to get some extra cash for your outdated tech.

Another option is to contact companies that specialize in free computer recycling near me, such as All Green Electronics Recycling. They have a team of IT experts and state-of-the-art facilities that can disassemble a computer to save the micro parts for future use. They can also take care of wiping the data on a hard drive to prevent private or personal information from being exposed.

Those who want to give their nonworking computer to a good cause can do so through an organization called PCs for People, which will send them a tax donation receipt. They’re a 501c3 nonprofit that refurbishes donated equipment to be sent to low-income individuals and nonprofits. They accept donations on a case-by-case basis, so it’s best to submit an application online if you have equipment that you want to donate.