07 May 09 Properly Disposing Of Your Computer Components

In this current age of electronics, the new computer you buy is bound to be obsolete in pretty much no time at all, meaning if you want to keep up to date with the newest technology, you’d have to buy a new PC every few years.  The problem therein being the massive amount of electronics and technology that you will be scrapping.  In most cases computer and electronics parts contain heavy metals and other chemicals that are notoriously bad for the environment, which means throwing these away outright, is a very bad thing.  Which is why you should try and recycle your old computer parts as much as possible, and there are more than a few ways in which you can accomplish this.

In most cases, like if you own a Dell or Gateway computer, the manufacturer will accept your old PC to be recycled when you upgrade to a new one through the company.  Although before you recycle that old computer you’ll obviously want to make sure that you wipe your hard drive, so that you can ensure you don’t suffer any problems arising from the personal data you stored on your PC.

Another common way to responsibly depose of those old computers, is to donate them to a charity organization.  These can be easily found all over the United States, take Earth 911 or My Green Electronics for example.  They will make use of your old PC and give it a good home, which keeps that PC from sitting in a landfill leaking harmful chemicals into our environment.

Otherwise I would suggest storing your computer, after all it’s never bad to have a backup, in case that shiny new PC falters or get’s infested with a few Trojans.  You can also contact the Poison Control center in your area and ask what the regulations regarding computer disposal are where you live.  In most cases you will be able to give the PC to them for proper disposal, as Poison Control is designed to handle the disposal of any hazardous waste, even computers.

Tags: 911, Cases Computer, Charity Organization, Computer Components, Computer Disposal, Computer Parts, Dell Computer, Gateway Computer, Green, Green Electronics, Hard Drive, Harmful Chemicals, Hazardous Waste, Heavy Metals, Landfill, New Computer, Newest Technology, Old Computer, Old Computers, Personal Data, Poison Control Center, Trojans