S/O trash- What do you do with old computers?

[Scuff]

We have one we need to get rid of. I'm sure it probably has personal info on it. But it hasn't been set up for years. I also have a laptop that the screen went kaputz. So I wouldn't be able to see to delete info. How do you safely get rid of this trash?

[milovany]

We have one we need to get rid of. I'm sure it probably has personal info on it. But it hasn't been set up for years. I also have a laptop that the screen went kaputz. So I wouldn't be able to see to delete info. How do you safely get rid of this trash?

 

I take it to our waste management company -- they take care of them for free. I'm pretty trusting, though -- I trust that as a county "official" organization, they'll dispose of them properly (or hire groups that will). I've also been known to take sledge hammers to them. :lol:

[Jean in Newcastle]

People give them to my ds13. He fixes them or uses them for parts. He now has 5 computers!!!! Actually 4 - he just finished packing up one that he sold on Ebay today. (He wants me to make sure I tell you that it was for $112.50.)

[5LittleMonkeys]

I give them to a friend of mine that has 5 boys. They take them apart and use the parts to line their spaceship cockpit. (Tree house) :D My dd has used a few parts in art collages too.

[5wolfcubs]

In Arizona there is a group called AZStRUT (Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology) -- the high school students rebuild/refurbish computers and donate them to local charities. We donated all our old computers to them after dh removed the hard drives (which he gave to ds to take apart).

 

A local computer repair place might be able to remove the hard drive (and give it to you) and then recycle the computer.

[Perry]

I give them to a friend of mine that has 5 boys. They take them apart and use the parts to line their spaceship cockpit. (Tree house) :D My dd has used a few parts in art collages too.

 

:eek:

 

Toxic Computer

[mommylawyer]

A local sanitation pick-up company has an electronics dump drive twice a year. They take everything from kitchen appliances to computers. My husband removes the hard drives before we "donate."

[mereminerals]

My son gets ours and takes them to his computer class to rebuild. I have been told though that if you want to dispose of your computer, to remove the hard drive first so that your personal information doesn't go with your computer.

[Dawn in OH]

As everyone has already stated, just remove the hard drive, then dispose of it however you choose: sell it, donate it, etc.

 

As far as a laptop goes, if the screen is shot, it's probably going to be too expensive to repair for a charity to want it, but you can always ask.

 

 

 

Jean in Newcastle, I'm married to the adult version of your son. We have more computers in this house than people, and there are 6 of us. I've told him if he brings home another computer he needs to find a new place to live.

[jewellsmommy]

In our house it would be stacked on top of the other 6 or 7 old/non-working computers. It would wait its turn to be fixed or it's organs will be put on the transplant list and will one day give the gift of life to another computer. And so goes the circle of life in our garage :tongue_smilie:.

[cathmom]

:eek:

 

Toxic Computer

 

That's what I was thinking. I just read a book that talked about a place in China where they were taking apart old computers and the whole area got polluted. Off to read your link!

[Tap]

Electronically destroy the hard drive then physically destroy it. Then donate the carcass to an up an coming techie, a refurb shop or freecycle/free on Craigslist

[Perry]

That's what I was thinking. I just read a book that talked about a place in China where they were taking apart old computers and the whole area got polluted. Off to read your link!

There isn't that much information there.

 

Here's a list of the some of the toxins:

[Journey]

You can get the screen on the laptop replaced. My older daughter just had her replaced and she paid $140 for the screen and the labor to get it fixed. Much less expensive than buying a whole new computer.

[ChrissySC]

Give them to nonprofits - like my Y. You would be surprised how many need them. Any computer within the last five years is a great resource to give to a nonprofit like the Y in return for a tax deduction. I wipe personal info and backup pictures for people who do this all the time.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Give them to nonprofits - like my Y. You would be surprised how many need them. Any computer within the last five years is a great resource to give to a nonprofit like the Y in return for a tax deduction. I wipe personal info and backup pictures for people who do this all the time.

 

Yea, ds does wipes the hard drive and then does a "clean install" for the new owner.