How to Recycle Computers and Electronics

Andrew Gehman

Nov 23 |11:28

Computers, gadgets, and other electronic toys are wonderful, but what to do with them when they've outlived there usefulness? Computers and other electronic equipment contain hazardous materials such as lead, lithium, cadmium, mercury, and beryllium. Over time, these hazardous materials can seep into the ground and contaminate the soil and ground water. Throwing these items into the trash, and inevitably into a landfill, is not the "green" solution and in many cases, is illegal. In some cases computers can be refurbished and serve other purposes, like as a backup server or media center. Others, such as CRT Monitors & VCRs, have gone the way of the the dinosaur and 56K modem. So, what can you do to get rid of your unwanted electronics?

Organizations such as Earth911 and MyGreenElectronics.org compile comprehensive databases of local recycling programs. Try searching your area for a local recycling center that handles computers and electronics.

Best Buy will take almost any electronics for recycling. They do charge a $10 fee for TVs under 32", monitors, and laptops, but they'll give you a $10 gift card in exchange. They won’t accept computers with the hard drive, so you’ll need to remove it first, or have Geek Squad do it for $19.99. You are limited to 2 items per household per day.

They also offer a trade-in program for select “gently used” electronics such as laptops and iPods that were purchased at Best Buy. You’ll need to be the original purchaser and have a valid ID and a receipt. They do mention that if you don’t have the receipt they will “make every effort to locate it for you.”

Best Buy also has kiosks in every store to collect batteries, cell phones, PDAs, and other small devices.

Office Depot offers Tech Recycling boxes at participating stores. The boxes come in three sizes and range in price from $5-$15. You can pick up a box at Office Depot, fill it with qualifying equipment, and return it to the store for recycling.

Reconnect is a joint venture between Dell and Goodwill Industries. This program allows you to drop off most computers and electronics equipment at select Goodwill locations for free. The areas and locations where the Reconnect program is currently available are a bit limited, so check the reconnectpartnership.com website for locations.

Staples’ EcoEasy program allows you to recycle computers, printers, monitors, faxes, and copiers. Dell branded items are free while other brands are recycled for $10 each. Smaller devices such as mice, keyboards, and speakers are recycled for free.

Handheld electronics and cell phones can be recycled for free at any Staples location.

Dell will recycle any computer and monitor for free with a purchase of a new Dell laptop or PC, and they'll recycle your Dell branded electronics at anytime for free. You may also choose to donate your computer. Dell has partnered with the National Cristina Foundation to provide used computers to disabled and economically disadvantaged children.

If you are a resident of Texas, Oklahoma, or Virginia, Apple will recycle your used computer for free. Apple will also recycle anyone's computer equipment of you buy a new Mac. Any residents of the U.S. and Canada can recycle their equipment without a new purchase for a $30 fee. This fee includes the shipping of the laptop to an Apple recycling partner.

HP will recycle HP and Compaq branded devices for free. They will accept other brand laptops for a fee (typically $10) and even pick the item up at your home for additional $10. They also offer a buyback program for qualified products.

Anytime you get rid of a computer, be sure to properly run a low level format tool or disk eraser utility on the hard drive first. Simply formatting a hard drive does not ensure that someone with the proper recovery tools couldn't still recover your files. Some good free applications for this include CBL Data Shredder, Active@Kill Disk, and Darik’s Boot and Nuke.

Do you know of any other groups or organizations that handle computer & electronics recycling?

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