Deciding what to do with your old personal computer or other non-disposable electronics devices? Consider recycling!! Lot's of companies sponsor recycling efforts these days!!

Why is this important?

According to ARC International, "The constant increasing demand for more advanced technology and introduction of newer electronic products in the marketplace are accelerating the creation of both ‘new and retired’ electronic products. As the result, it has created an enormous build-up and growth in electronic waste.

Electronic waste (E-waste) is becoming one of America’s fastest growing problems. A study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that e-waste constitutes for 4% of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream and is growing at a tremendously accelerated speed at 2-3 times faster than any other waste streams. And, the most frightening fact is that only 10% of American households are currently recycling their unwanted electronics or e-waste".

Leaving E-Waste in the trash is against the law, The EPA has laws that regulate E-Waste recycling by enforcing fines of up to $25,000.  There are over 3 billion devices in use today, with ony an estimated 15% of devices being recycled. Over 2 million tons of electronic parts are disposed of each year.

What can you do?

If you're located in the Baltimore/Washington region and have unwanted computers taking up valuable space, find them a good home!  The Lazarus Foundation is a community-based non-profit computer recycling organization located in Columbia, Maryland who accepts donations of used computer equipment. Their volunteers test and restore them to working condition, and then provide the refurbished/upgraded computers to other charitable organizations and educational institutions.

The Foundation is currently accepting Pentium III class (1 GHz) and faster computers. See their web site for additional information at: http://www.lazarus.org/

What if I don't live in the Baltimore/Washington area?  There are other options available nationwide:

PC Disposal offers a nationwide service. Let THEM manage the removal and recycling of obsolete computers and equipment.

For businesses: PC Disposal can "recycle outdated hardware, donate computers to charity, refurbish and upgrade computer systems for redeployment and facilitate employee purchase programs". They also offer FREE freight and pick up on 10 units or more anywhere in the continental U.S. and you can view all the requirements at the following link: http://pcdisposal.com/nationwide.htm

For consumers and small business: PC Disposal charges a reasonable amount for those who want to recycle and protect our environment! Visit their Small Business and Consumer Computer Retirement Center at: http://pcdisposal.com/consumer_pcdisposal.htm for all the details.

Computer Recycling USA is another company that accepts recycle equipment nationwide. They also charge a fee for small business and consumer removal, so you should see their web site for full details.

PC Disposal and Computer Recycling USA both offer secure data removal from hard drives! So there should be no worries about data security.

Bottom line is: Recycling and/or proper disposal of used computers and other electronics is not only necessary, IT'S THE LAW!!

Do the right thing and dispose of your computers and electronic gear in a responsible manner!!

If you would like to know more about computer recycling, here is a link to an excellent article about the importance of computer recycling. It also presents a list of some recycling programs and information from various computer hardware manufacturers!!

Disposing of Older Computers and Parts