Get rid of it. Now!
- About 72% of all retired electronic products are stored for an average of three years. Electronics equipment loses value in storage, while needlessly occupying valuable storage space.
- Try to purchase only upgradable equipment. The goal is to extend the life of the product as long as possible before it needs to be discarded.
- Consider buying refurbished computer equipment. It not only reduces purchase costs, but also helps ensure the existence of markets for end-of-life equipment.
Lease, don’t buy
When you lease a new computer, you know that when you’re done with it, it will have a home. The manufacturer will upgrade your returned system, or refurbish components for resale.
Reuse
Refurbish or upgrade electronic equipment and continue to use it or pass it to others in the same home or company when new equipment is purchased. Refurbishing and upgrading can include moving to a higher processing speed or cleaning and replacing worn parts. Not all software applications require the latest, fastest computer.
Sell
Selling used equipment is common and is an economically beneficial alternative to storing used electronic equipment.
Send it back
Some of the major computer manufacturers, such as IBM and Hewlett-Packard, have begun buy-back programs. For a fee, any brand of computer equipment can be shipped to them for responsible reuse or recycling.
For more information, search or call:
IBM
http://www.ibm.com/environment
Or, call 1-888-SHOP-IBM and ask for a PC recycling sales representative.
Hewlett-Packard
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/community/environment/recycle.htm
Or, call 1-888-485-1849
Donate
Used electronics can be donated to charities or schools, either directly or through an organization involved in refurbishing and replacing them. Many of these organizations accept computers for free, but there may be a fee in some cases. It may be possible to receive a tax deduction for your donation from some organizations. For more information on donating your electronic equipment.
Recycle
Non-profits and private businesses manually disassemble computers and use old components to assemble new working systems, separate working parts such as disk drives and memory chips for sale, or sell components such as plastics and aluminum for scrap.
By recycling you:
- Create jobs — studies have shown that recycling creates jobs and other economic opportunities.
- Prevent the accumulation of hazardous materials in landfills
- Reduce possible threats to groundwater quality.
- Prevent depletion of natural resources by getting the longest life possible from a product.
- Make computers available to others who may not be able to afford a new one.
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