Disposing of Old Computer Equipment

in

Choices: Sell, Donate, Recycle — or Re-use?

There are three basic options for disposing of old computers — sell, donate, or recycle — and one that is slightly more involved: re-use.

Rules of Thumb

  • If it's under 3 years old, consider selling;
  • If it's up to 5 years old, consider donating;
  • For older equipment, recycling is probably your most realistic option.

Computers do contain toxic material (e.g., see Electronic Waste), so please, don't just dump them!

Delete your Data!

Before doing anything, though, make sure to erase all your data. It's ironic — not to mention annoying — that hard drives are fragile enough to have spawned a whole back up industry (see our Backup ABC's), and yet it's virtually impossible to be sure your data is beyond recovery (see, for example, How to Recover Almost Anything from PC Magazine, or Computer First Aid by Cedric Shock). In reality, it all boils down to money. It's cheaper to back up than to recover data. And unless you're guarding state secrets or a thief might have reason to think your data is very valuable, almost any effort to delete data makes it more trouble than it's worth to recover.

For a computer or hard drive that no longer works: Remove the hard drive and physically destroy it. Hammers, drills and blow torches are just a few of the creative ways people have gone about this task. Popular Mechanics offers some amusing as well as useful tips in How to Absolutely, Positively Destroy Your Data (Feb. 2007); Network World adds a military angle in How to destroy a hard drive in five seconds (Jun. 2006).

For a computer that's still working: If you're planning to recycle the computer, you can either destroy the hard drive (see above) or wipe the whole disk clean using one of several free tools — Darik's Boot And Nuke is a popular and fairly easy option. If you're going to sell or donate it, though, your goal is to delete all of your personal data while leaving the operating system intact. There are many free tools available to help: while all promise to delete files beyond recovery, some newer programs also offer help in tracking down hidden personal data. For example, File Shredder and Eraser are long-standing file deletion programs; Wipe is a newer program that promises to help root out hidden data, too.

Re-use

For anyone with a little time and interest, it's not hard to turn an old PC into something useful; for example, we explain how to create a “kitchen computer” in Give An Old Computer a New Life. For more ideas, try Things to do with an old computer from MAKE magazine.

Sell

There's a lively market in used computer equipment; eBay and Craigslist are the best known options

Donate (listed alphabetically)

  • Computers for Schools — “Computers for Schools is dedicated to providing a low cost alternative for achieving technology in the classroom.”
  • Cristina Foundation — “The National Cristina Foundation provides computer technology and solutions to give people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons the opportunity, through training, to lead more independent and productive lives.”
  • E-Cycling Central — “[I]t is important to remember that older electronics units and devices may not have reached the end of their useful life...many televisions, computers, computer monitors, mobile phones and other electronics ... can be recycled, refurbished or donated to schools and charities. Numerous EIA member companies have created and are participating in programs ... [to] help place your electronics products into the recycling stream by refurbishing the device or giving it back to the community, either to schools, charities, economically disadvantaged or disabled citizens of your community.”
  • myGreenElectronics (Consumer Electronics Association) —“Through responsible use, reuse and recycling of electronics, the consumer electronics industry and consumers can protect and preserve the environment—together.”
  • Share the Technology — “Since 1996 we have helped prevent the premature disposal of useful computer equipment by providing a way for computer donors to connect with nonprofit groups seeking donations throughout the United States. Over the years we have provided free online donation request listings to schools, church groups, nonprofit organizations and individuals with disabilities. We continue to offer free listings today to help promote computer reuse.”
  • TechSoup Computer Recycling and Reuse — “Since 1997, TechSoup has been helping develop the electronics reuse field. Our vision is twofold: divert significantly greater amounts of discarded material from landfills to reduce toxic computer waste, and create positive social change by making discarded computers available to schools, nonprofits, and low-income families.” See also Tech Soup'sTen Tips for Donating a Computer.
  • World Computer Exchange — “World Computer Exchange is a global education & environment nonprofit that helps connect youth in 67 developing countries to the skills, opportunities & understanding of the Internet while keeping working computers out of landfills.”

Trade-in/Recycle

In Massachusetts

Nationwide