That new 1.4 GHz, Pentium 4 PC looks mighty tempting. Some more RAM would make things run much quicker. And not to mention, I am tired of running out of space on that hard drive. The prices keep dropping. That's it - time to update that computer!
The average computer user buys a new system every three or four years. What do you do with that old PC? I can envision either basement closets or city landfills being overloaded with outdated electronic equipment.
The National Safety Council estimates that 63.3 million desktop computers in use today will be replaced with new systems in 2002.
Why not do something good with that old PC? You can donate it, recycle it, or trade it in on that new model. Below you will find some options that are both good for people in need and good for our environment.
DONATIONS
www.cristina.org: The National Cristina Foundation will put you in touch with a nonprofit organization in your area.
www.pcsforschools.org: Computers for Schools Association refurbishes PC's and passes them on to schools.
www.kidsource.org: KidSource Online maintains a database of schools looking for PC's.
www.giftsinkind.org: Gifts In Kind International works with corporations to place primarily new equipment in the United States and around the world.
www.lazarus.org: The Lazarus Foundation refurbishes old systems for educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.
You can always call schools in your area to see if they are interested. Even Goodwill Industries are being inundated with outdated, broken, or unwanted PC's.
RECYCLING
find.pcworld.com/12102: The National Safety Council Electronic Equipment Recyclers List is a state-by-state list of companies who recycle these items.
www.elae.org: The Electronic Industries Alliance Recycling and Reuse Program also maintains a list of recyclers.
www.iaer.org: The International Association of Electronic Recyclers has a database of companies who recycle.
VENDOR PROGRAMS
IBM, Gateway, and Hewlett-Packard all have ways to reuse old equipment. Visit their web sites to for details.
Before shipping out that old computer:
1)Test the equipment and make sure it is all working properly. Some organizations only want machine that are in good working order.
2) Label everything so that the people receiving your donation know what makes and models they are dealing with. Most organizations appreciate cables to accompany the machines.
3) Remove all data. You must overwrite data instead of deleting. Deleted files can sometimes be retrieved. Some security professionals recommend overwriting data seven times to make sure the hard drive has been totally cleaned out.
4) Some organizations want the operating system and applications deleted. They may ask for your boot-disk floppy.
5) Be sure to ask for a receipt for your donation. To determine the write-off value, visit www.bluebook.com or www.ebay.com.
Hopefully you will find these solutions a little better than what you have been doing in the past. Don't turn that CPU into a doorstop. Pass it along to someone who will appreciate it and use it. You might even get a tax write-off for it.
