How do I safely and responsibly throw away computer equipment? I hear that it's not a good idea to throw away broken computer components in your dumpster because it harms the environment. I have some broken and some really old pieces of equipment that I'd just like to trash. What's the best way to do so?
How do I safely and responsibly throw away computer equipment?
- Thread starter krackato
- Start date
hmm, even the stuff that doesn't work? a lot of computer recyclers only accept working parts as they can be re-used or sold as second hand stuff in minimalistic systems for seniors.
this is a good question. how would you get rid of your old dead equipment? i felt pretty darn bad over throwing a broken lan card in the garbage, still holding onto dead motherboards until i find out the right way to get rid of it.
this is a good question. how would you get rid of your old dead equipment? i felt pretty darn bad over throwing a broken lan card in the garbage, still holding onto dead motherboards until i find out the right way to get rid of it.
Jeff7
Lifer
- Jan 4, 2001
- 41,596
- 19
- 81
Heck, those are nothing. Monitors are bad. A large vacuum chamber, lead, and who knows what else. As with most industries, first you just work on marketing the stuff as fast as you can, then you worry about the problems of disposal later, if at all. Be nice if they could just grind up PCB's into powder and use it in some composite building material. But I don't know if that'd be safe; just sort of a quick thought.
Speaking of monitors, I wonder how many of them are actually still good? For example, my recent monitor troubles boiled down to a single cracked solder connection. One monitor I know of was arcing somewhere in it; I read on some online monitor FAQ that even some arcing problems, where some component has actually been punctured by a spark, can be fixed. But it's usually just too time consuming; only someone with enough of it to spare can test and repair these things, and make it somewhat cost effective.
I've always taken my old stuff to Goodwill. I've never given them anything that was broken, but I've given them blurry monitors, monitors that are slightly discolored, etc... At least that way I don't have to worry about disposing of it, and maybe it will help someone out. I know they used to use a lot of old equipment for their training/adult education centers, but I don't know if they do that anymore. I know at one time they did (and may still do) take broken electronic components, but I'm not sure about PC parts.
Tom
Tom
Yes, it's expensive to properly dispose of computer stuff. Monitors are the worst. PC circuit boards and such are bad too.
Some "recycling centers" simply ship to 3rd world landfills though. So do some research first.
I try to strip down cases and stuff before I send them to the dumpster. I think maybe a steel case could be recycled with your cans and such, but you probably should cut it up first if possible otherwise the recycling guys may not take it.
Here's an article on the subject that I sent to my department at work: link
RussianSensation
Elite Member
- Sep 5, 2003
- 19,458
- 765
- 126
Yeah but chances are the users who frequently upgrade either sell their old stuff to recoup some of the costs of the new purchases or they have enough money not to care about $30 disposal shipping fee. Besides often components get sent down the pipeline to your parents, friends, etc. And some users use their old computers for distributed programming or setup a network over their house so they can have their friends come over and play games with them.
What truly should make a computer user think twice about upgrading is the money spent on often miniscule performance advantages. For example, switching from KT266 to Nforce 2 Platform and expecting great performance improvements - wrong. Going from 9700Pro to a 9800Pro - waste of time. A smart computer user shouldn't have a lot of components laying around. Upgrading for 20-30% improvement in my opinion is also a waste of money, unless your job depends on how fast your computer works.
Heck, you can even try to sell the broken ones on ebay! I remember many years back I sold a non-working 500MB hard drive for something like $15 on eBay. And yes, I did disclose that it was dead, and in a non-working state.
Tom
Megatomic
Lifer
- Nov 9, 2000
- 20,127
- 6
- 81
Hmm, I have so little in the way of PC parts that completely fail. If they do they're usually in warranty and I RMA them. Most times though I sell older parts while they're still working.
At work we excess older gear that hasn't failed and other departments can scavenge it. The broken stuff goes to some DOE specified site that disposes of hazardous materials. Darned if I know where it is though.
At work we excess older gear that hasn't failed and other departments can scavenge it. The broken stuff goes to some DOE specified site that disposes of hazardous materials. Darned if I know where it is though.
great. i'm gonna make a few calls tomorrow and hopefully find a place i can take my older working and non working parts to. recently after finding some good deals i bought a few things that meant more stray parts lying around in my room. time to get rid fo them.
Another option. If you have a large amount of possibly working stuff, you could post it in the FS/FT forum. Just say "I have this stuff, if you live near me, stop by and take some for free" ... something like that...
Here at the local garbage transfer station there is a covered platform called "The Country Store". You put your old stuff there and look through the rest to see what you want to take home yourself.
Picked a old monitor on a sidewalk once, then realized it was one of those very old monitors (green) weird looking jack.
The transfer station was going to charge me $15 to throw it so I said forget it and its still sitting in my garage.
I am tempted to put it in a garbage bag but scared it might explode and kill someone.
The transfer station was going to charge me $15 to throw it so I said forget it and its still sitting in my garage.
I am tempted to put it in a garbage bag but scared it might explode and kill someone.
Give to the school electronics class can use the broken stuff to pratice soldering on. Otherwise whatever else they want to do with it.
I've gotten monitors that way before when I was broke (my wallet and my monitor) in the past. So thanks!!!
Front porch, front door, and in front of the CS building at any college/Univ are all great places to put a box full of computer parts with a "FREE" sign.
I got rid of an old P1 that way, it had some issues which I didn't have the money to fix.
I got rid of an old P1 that way, it had some issues which I didn't have the money to fix.
I took a big truckload of old monitors and computer parts to a "recycling center" and they just picked the stuff up and threw it in a big pile... monitors exploding everywhere, plastic flying all over... It was interesting...
Another cool thing to do with old lan cards, chips, or any small component, is to put it in a business reply envelope that you frequently get credit card offers from...
Only if it's a private school. Public schools have so much red tape involved with any type of donation, it's a joke to work through. Makes one wonder why so many public schools are failing.
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