Proper Disposal Of Computers

During the late 90’s, there was an explosion of affordable computers.  This breakthrough caused many old computers to be disposed of and dumped in landfills.  Since computers are made up of a range of different materials including some that are actually hazardous to the environment, these computers that were improperly disposed of have contributed to the poisoning of the environment. 

E-waste or electronic equipment and computers scrapped and thrown out pose an increasing danger to the environment.  Fortunately today, many governments and environmental organizations including some of the top electronic and computer manufacturers have agreed to implement in proper disposal of e-waste.  Gone are the days when old computers can just be dumped at a landfill.  Now there is a proper way to go about its disposal.

The first step is to plan the disposal.  It is important to make sure that all important data is backed up.  After this is done, all data should be erased from the computer just to make sure that should any of the components be reused, this information will not be accessible to other people.  This is just to make sure that personal data is protected.

Be sure the computer to be disposed is inspected for components that might still be resalable, reusable or recyclable.  There are websites, computer and electronic surplus stores that buy these components.  It would also be wise to check for recycling centers in the vicinity.  These centers know the proper way to dispose of old computers.  Normally, these are incinerated or donated to other countries that may still use them. 

Try and get in touch with a computer supplier.  Most suppliers would have the know how to dispose, donate, or recycle the computers but may charge a corresponding recycling fee for the service.  Check on the website of the computer store where the old computer was bought.  They may also provide important details on proper computer disposal.

Lastly, turn to foundations, agencies or groups that may take on the old computers.  The web can provide a hefty list of these organizations and where exactly the computers may be brought for disposal.  These organizations would have a network where working computers are brought for reuse.  They also have links to recycling shops that can dispose of non-working computers properly.

The Mitchell and Mugga Lane Resource Management Centers accept old computers that are for disposal.  They send these computers to shops for recycling where the extraction of plastics and other recyclable materials are done.  Indicative disposal fees would be $15 for the computer box and $22.50 for the monitor.  When the disposal is done in bulk however, computers including gear, go for about $30 per 10 kilos.

Charity Computers on the other hand is a non-profit organization that accepts donated computers regardless if they are in working or non-working states.   They do not accept donations in bulk except if all units can be reused a home environment.  The donated working computers are then repaired and reused.  They are typically sent to individuals who need them or to other non-profit organizations.  Disposal fees of $25 for Apple items including monitors and $5 for faulty printers and dot matrix printers, apply.

Dell computers also offer recycling regardless of computer brand.  They accept computer, mouse, keyboard, printer and monitor and can even arrange for the pick up of the computer at your address.  Dell charges a flat fee of $10 with an additional $13 per item in the metro and $15.50 if the location is more than 40 kilometers from the city.  For drop offs or computers brought directly to their stores, each PC is charged $8.50 per unit.