How To Recycle Your Old Computers

According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans have approximately 24 electronic products per household, and those items are being constantly replaced with newer models. So where does all that old stuff go when it is just outdated? Well, if you own a computer or computer equipment that you think is beyond fixing or is too old to be useable, check into recycling services which can dismantle the equipment properly to obtain all usable components and materials. If you have a functional good computer, you may wish to consider donating the computer rather than dismantling or recycling it.

The EPA is acting to educate consumers on why it is crucial to recycle and reuse electronics and what the alternatives are for safe reuse and recycling of these products. State and local governments, manufacturers, and retailers, who are already mindful of the pressing demand to better manage these materials, are supplying more opportunities to reuse and recycle this equipment. Numerous computer manufacturers, TV manufacturers, and electronics retailers extend some sort of bring back program or sponsor recycling events. Several states have passed some kind of legislation to oversee end-of-life electronics, and many more are predicted to follow suit.

Recycle Through Computer Manufacturers:

One of the simplest options is to use your computer manufacturer's recycling plan. Major manufacturers are acutely sensitive to the liabilities associated with not handling equipment properly and would prefer not to be the subject of a scandalous lawsuit. Nearly all U.S. manufacturers' take-back programs charge fees, and several require packing and shipping the equipment yourself. Below is a list of a few of the major manufactures that have their own recycling programs.

• Apple
• Dell
• Epson
• Gateway
• Hewlett Packard
• IBM / Lenovo
• Lexmark
• NEC

The Rethink Initiative, hosted by eBay, draws together industry, government and environmental organizations to provide a clean perspective and new solutions to the challenge of e-waste. On this site you are able to find information, tools and solutions that make it simple – and even lucrative – to find new users for inactive computers and electronics, and responsibly recycle undesirable products. eBay realizes that its member community of more than 157 million computer users can be a mighty force for good. eBay’s roots are also about bringing buyers and sellers together – making it well-situated for people with idle computers and electronics to find others who can put them to good use. Committing old products to new use stretches their useful life and detains their entrance into the waste stream.

When you're ready to move forward, have all of the information about your computer written down beforehand. This includes type of computer (PC or Mac) and model number and what other desktop items you want to recycle, such as a keyboard, mouse or printer. The Basel Action Network website posts a list of electronics recyclers that have signed BAN's stewardship pledge, under which recyclers agree not to export e-waste or add it to landfill, or use prison labor, and to document where equipment, components and materials go. Its list includes recyclers in all regions of the United States.

Companies That Offer Computer Recycling:

Below is a list of some of the major recycling companies capable of recycling computers.

Genesis Recycling (http://genesisrecycling.ca/)
Phone: (604) 533-2537
Note: Company who's capable of recycling all types of computers, printers, monitors, phones, and numerous other electronic components.

IBM PC Recycling Service (http://www.ibm.com/ibm/environment/products/)
Phone: (888) SHOP-IBM
Note: IBM can recycle any manufacturer's PCs, including system units, monitors, printers, and optional attachments for $29.99 which includes shipping.
Parts capable of recycling: any manufacturer's PC, monitors, printers, and optional attachments.

Back Thru The Future Microcomputers, Inc. (http://www.backthruthefuture.com/)
Phone: (408) 453-4511
Note: Back Thru The Future Microcomputers is one of the largest computer recyclers in the United States.

Envirocycle Inc. (http://www.enviroinc.com/)
Phone: (800) 711-6010
Note: In 1995 alone, Envirocycle dismantled over 465,000 monitors and 2,000,000 pounds of electronic equipment. Parts capable of recycling: All electrical components and Monitors.

Total Reclaim (http://www.totalreclaim.com/)
Phone: (206) 343-7443
Note: Total Reclaim provides environmentally responsible asset reclamation and disposition services to the electronics industry. Total Reclaim is the Pacific Northwest's largest electronics recycler, handling 9,000,000 lbs of monitors, televisions, and other electronics in 2004.

United Recycling Industries (http://www.unitedrecycling.com/)
Phone: (800) 323-1574
Note: United Recycling is the environmentally safe disposal and recycling of commercial, industrial, military, and consumer electronic material. Parts capable of recycling: Computers and peripherals, cell phones, office, and telecommunication equipment, laboratory/medical equipment, and many other electronic materials.

E-Tech Recycling (http://www.etechrecycling.com/)
Phone:(503) 693-8939
Note: Company capable of recycling computers, monitors, telephones, and related equipment, and various other electronic items.

Intercon Solutions (http://www.interconrecycling.com/)
Phone: (888) 452-5642
Parts capable of recycling: All types of electronic equipment and material, including computers, printers, fax machines, modems, bridges, hubs, copy machines, consumer electronics, components, and various other types of plastic and metal.

It’s oftentimes not easy to tell who is a responsible recycler and who is not. Many times among the best ways to select a recycler is to trust the recommendations of credible environmental groups. For example, a few recyclers have signed the Computer Take Back Campaign’s Electronics Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship and have officially committed to responsible electronics recycling. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency runs its Plug-In To eCycling program and participants in the program agree to uphold rigorous standards in recycling.

Another matter to bear in mind when selecting a recycler is that many are not setup to accept a single computer at a time. Therefore, it is suggested that you contact your potential recycler prior to visiting to ensure that they can take in your equipment. If they can’t, ask them if they know of another trustworthy recycler who can.

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