Wired Office – Don’t trash your Old PC
– Recycle it!
The rate of change in computer technology may prompt you to upgrade your
PC every few years. But what to do with those old, outdated computers once
you’re done with them? You could simply toss them in the weekly trash, but
computers contain toxins that can have a hazardous effect on the environment.
A study by Environment Canada states more than 140 tones of computer
equipment gets dumped in the landfills each year. In an effort to reduce the
amount of techno-trash out there, several companies are offering ways for
consumers to go green and recycle old computer materials. Companies like
IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Dell will take back their old PC’s for a fee. However,
the best and least costly way to avoid adding the landfill is to donate your old
computer to charity or to a group like reboot or simply give it to friends or
family members who may be able to use it.
ReBOOT Canada is a non profit organization that refurbishes old computers
and distributes them to charities and others with limited access to technology.
With offices in Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa and London, Ontario as well as
several others across Canada, reboot has found homes for more than 60,000
pieces of computer equipment since 1996. There are also many other organizations and charities that would be pleased to take your old computer
including Industry Canada’s Computers for Schools program or you can check your municipality for local computer recycling programs.
In most cases, recycling organizations will attempt to put your old computer
into the hands of someone who can use it. However, if your equipment is
beyond refurbishing, parts of it can still avoid the landfill. At reBOOT for
example, employees keep the useful parts and then send the rest to companies that recycle the plastic, metals and glass. Some municipalities also
offer special environment days during which residents can drop off old electronic equipment that will either be donated or recycled where possible.
Many recycling programs will also find homes for used printers, ink cartridges
and software. If ink cartridges still contain ink, reboot will distribute them. If
they’re out of ink, they send them to a company that refills and then resells
them. As well, many office supply retailers have programs for recycling ink
cartridges. Even old software if it is the original copy and comes with a
license that allows re-use, can be donated along with the computer.
Recycling or donating your old computer is definitely a greener way to get rid
of it. However, before you do, be sure to back up any files you want to keep
and then erase everything off your hard drive. For Windows XP and 2000 users, the easiest way to wipe your hard drive is to reinstall your operating
system. The installation CD will prompt you to reinstall with an option to clear
your hard drive. For Windows 98 and 95 users, the safest bet would be to
consult a computer technician at your nearest computer store to guide you
through the process. But don’t forget to back up your files first. Check out
the Wired Office column in our February 2007 issue for more about protecting
your identity and the identity of your personal and professional contacts when
you dispose of a PC.
Reprinted from the REALTOR EDGE April 07 by permission of the publisher.
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