Top 10 Ways to Recycle Your Old Computer

1. Recycle

   Recycling that old computer seems the most logical conclusion,
   but this process is fraught with complicated issues. How do you protect
   the material contained on that old hard drive? Where does that computer
   go once it's left your hands? Since ID theft and e-waste smuggling
   operations are rife, your computer may end up in the hands of the wrong
   person in the wrong country.

   You can eliminate the first problem by using a product like Eraser that
   eliminates all data on your hard drive. Your diligence in this effort
   will help you rest assured that you haven't passed on any readable
   private data. The second solution involves discovering where that
   recycling center sends your computer and its parts once they take
   charge. According to Treehugger,
   developed countries have been exporting tons of electronic waste to
   China for inexpensive, labor-intensive recycling and disposal for
   years. This activity was made illegal in 2000, but smuggling,
   corruption, and “China's appetite for scrap” opens doors for your old
   computer to take part in this nefarious cycle.

   Since manufacturers want to avoid any scandal, this recycling
   route would be the easiest one to take. Simply send that old Dell back
   to Dell
   and the old Gateway back to Gateway,
   etc. Some manufacturers may charge a fee for this process. Other
   manufacturers may not charge a fee, but you may have to purchase
   packing materials and postage to send that computer back to its source.
   Read the Treehugger article and another article by Salon,
   as both pieces offer sound advice on how you can handle the computer
   recycling process responsibly. You can search through E-cycling's database
   to find a reliable recycler near you.

2. Donate

   Based on the adage that one person's junk is another person's
   treasure, you might donate that old computer. As Techsoup
   states, it works best if you donate your equipment to a nonprofit or
   school-based refurbisher rather than directly to a charity or school,
   especially if you need to wipe your hard drive or if you're unsure
   about your equipment's condition. Responsible refurbishers pass your
   equipment along to nonprofits and schools after they ensure that it's
   been cleaned out and working properly. Additionally, they will dispose
   of e-waste after they cull through the equipment to salvage usable
   parts.

   Free
   Geek is, perhaps, becoming the most well-known organization
   to handle this process because they salvage what they can and dispose
   of the rest responsibly. Although this organization is located in
   Oregon, plans to expand
   nationwide are underway. But, if you can't wait for a Free
   Geek to open near you, you can find a local or regional refurbisher
   through Techsoup's
   list, which is searchable by Zip Code.

   Finally, if you cannot find a local refurbisher, you might go
   directly to those who need used computer equipment. Online resources
   like Share the
   Technology offer ways for you to connect directly with
   organizations that need specific equipment through matches. If you
   can't find a match, you can post an offer to donate and wait for
   someone to contact you.

3. Resell

   Yes, you can sell that idle or dead computer locally, but
   you'll find more buyers through an option like eBay. eBay is involved
   with the Rethink
   Initiative that makes it easy for you to deal with all your
   used electronic equipment. You can sell the items yourself through eBay
   (they provide you with a checklist before you sell that computer), or
   you can use three solutions: 1) Trade in
   your old technology for PayPal
   cash; 2) Find
   a drop-off or pickup location through Zip Code search where
   those folks will sell your equipment on eBay for a percentage; 3) Find
   a local trading
   assistant who can handle the selling process for you.

   The market value for used computers drops dramatically after
   two years, so don't expect to make a fortune when you go this route.
   You can search through places like the Used
   Computer Mall to make sure that you're asking and receiving
   fair market value. If your computer is more than three years old, your
   best bet is to recycle or donate – but the latter option might be
   limited for computers that are less than five-years-old.

4. Recycle, Donate, Resell (aka: Cannibalize)

   This option is for the person who wants to sell old equipment
   by parts, much like you would dissect an old automobile or motorcycle
   for parts sales. Some peripherals, for example, are perfect for reuse;
   computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can
   be used for a variety of computer models and makes. You could hold onto
   those items or resell them for a higher price than equipment that's
   outdated or damaged.

   Other materials, like ink cartridges or one-time-use CDs and
   disks, are more difficult to deal with. Earth911
   offers a Zip Code search engine that lists companies and organizations
   where you can take those items for recycle or donation. When you list
   items for sale on eBay or through other venues, be sure to include the
   name of the component, part and serial number, and any other pertinent
   information so that the buyer can find those parts easily and you won't
   waste time answering questions.

5. Return

   Companies like Gateway
   and HP
   have trade-in programs where you can deduct a certain amount from the
   cost of a new computer or receive a credit toward merchandise. You can
   also trade that laptop in for a TigerDirect
   gift certificate. Once again, you will receive fair market
   value, which may not be enough to purchase a keyboard. Be prepared for
   that possibility.

6. Keep it in the family

   A five-year-old system may contain too many bugs for useful
   service, but it may have potential as a learning tool for those kids or
   cousins who are potential electronics geeks. They can tear that system
   apart and rebuild something useful (offer them the ideas below). Make a
   deal where they will recycle or donate any parts they don't use in the
   process.

   If your computer remains functional, let the kids play with it
   after you remove all sensitive material and install instructional
   games. Once the kids have destroyed the computer beyond belief you can
   make a decision about where to go from there.

7. Dedicated Jukebox/Recording Box

   If you've accumulated so many digital music files that they
   would consume half the hard disk in your new computer, use the old
   system to play your MP3 files. You can transfer the files to CD and
   then connect your sound card's 1/8-inch stereo plug to a pair of RCA
   female plugs using a Y cable. Although this solution isn't portable,
   it's cheaper than any hand-held MP3 player.

   If you connect a keyboard to your computer's MIDI port (or –
   better yet – use a wireless keyboard/mouse combo), you can add your two
   cents to your music repertoire. You may want to replace your sound
   card, install some sequencing software, and add more memory if you
   think the computer will hold up for another year or so. These additions
   will add to the quality of your efforts.

8. Upgrades/Downgrades

   If your computer is less than five-years-old, why not replace
   a few items rather than purchase a new computer? Upgrade your memory,
   add a larger hard disk, or replace that CRT monitor with an LCD. For
   less than one-third the price of a new computer (in most cases) you can
   eek out a few more years on that computer. This option can help you
   save your bucks for next-generation systems that will arrive in another
   two years or so.

   On the other hand, you can quench that yen for a new computer,
   but continue to milk the old one for all that it's worth if you save it
   for use as a simple word processor. Remove all extraneous software and
   documents including images and music, and defrag the disk so that
   you have plenty of space and speed for new documents. You can use the
   new machine for all your high-tech options and use the older system for
   all the grunt work. If you feel that the older computer may die on you
   without notice, just back up documents to CDs as you create them.

9. New Servers/Home Automation

   Thiravudh Khoman offers some uses for old 486 computers,
   but his ideas can be utilized in newer machines as well. Use the old
   computer as servers for your printer or other apps, as a space to save
   files, as a backup and/or as a Windows server station. If you're
   capable of adding X10
   devices, you can use that old system to automate your home
   (make your coffee, regulate your thermostat, etc.). Scour Automated
   Home for some of their most popular ideas.

10. Get Creative

    Laptop
    carries a few of the most innovative ideas on how to reuse computer
    parts, no matter if they belong to your laptop or your desktop. Turn an
    old keyboard
    into a walletlaptop
    into a weather/news station with Yahoo! widgets.
    You can also recycle parts and use the remaining cabinets as pet
    houses, or paint them and use them for bookshelf or knick-knack units.
    If you hand these empty units over to the kids to build a playhouse,
    make sure that you wrap any sharp edges with foam and/or layers of duct
    tape. or turn an old

You can always simplify your life and leave the computers on
the front lawn with a sign, “FreeGigoit.com
or at Freecycle.
Just remember to erase or overwrite that hard drive and realize that
personal information can be stored on flash memory cards, floppy discs,
tapes, DVDs and CDs as well. But, it's worth the effort to take
responsibility for that old computer when you're ready to let go. The
earth and its six
+ billion inhabitants (not including animals) will thank you