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Don’t Curb Those Old Computers, Recycle and Reboot Them

Release Date: 1/26/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Purchased a new computer over the holidays? Don’t know what to do with the one you had? You aren’t alone. As the computer age grows up, computer recycling has arrived.

Where do old computers go when they have outlived their usefulness?

“If you don’t want to use your outdated computer anymore, donate it to a non-profit organization, which can refurbish it.” said Thomas C. Voltaggio, acting EPA regional administrator.

Just like old clothes, old computers have a place to go. Placing these computers in a good home where students or community organizations can benefit from them is a worthwhile option.

There are places that recycle older computers and put them in the hands of people with low incomes. Some rebuild them using spare parts, and others strip them and haul the metals and other parts to dealers, who recycle everything but the plastic.

A lot of people just throw computers in the trash, and EPA is concerned about this. The agency recently paid for a study conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials, which reported that about 45 million computers in the United States will go into landfills by 2005, along with approximately 500 million televisions. That’s a lot of new trash.

Not only do computers and televisions take up a lot of landfill space with materials that could be recycled or reused, but they contain cathode ray tubes or CRTs which contain lead that protects viewers from radiation. Because lead is a toxic element, it should be treated with caution.

That’s why the EPA promotes programs that reuse electronics of all types. EPA is practicing what it preaches. Since 1996, EPA has donated more than 800 computers to school districts and worthy organizations throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

“Everyone wins in this situation, the students and community organizations get access to the information superhighway. EPA benefits by setting a good example. And the environment wins because we keep these materials out of the landfills,” said Voltaggio.

If you’re interested in donating your computer equipment for reuse or recycling, start by checking directories on the Internet which arrange computer donations to schools, colleges and and nonprofit organizations or contact you local library, church or a charitable group.

There are also several companies that will buy your old computers for recycling. Type “computer recycling” into your favorite web search engine to locate scrap dealers and recyclers. Or contact your local county recycling coordinator to see if your county sponsors computer recycling dropoffs.

For more information about recycling computers, see the attached reference list, or call Mike Giuranna, EPA recycling coordinator, at (215) 814-3298.

1. The International Association of Electronic Recyclers site ( ww.iaer.org) has a great search tool to find the nearest computer recycler near you, the search page is at http://www.iaer.org/search/iaersearch.cfm

2. The Electronics Industry Alliance has an excellent web site which will point consumers to outlets for their end of life electronic equipment( including computers) on the web at http://www.eia.org/index3.cfm?front_info_key=2

3. Also check out the PEP National Directory of Computer Recycling Programs PEP: Resources for Parents, Educators & Publishers. A State, National and International Directory of agencies that facilitate donations of used computer hardware for schools and community groups: the site for Maryland is at http://www.microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/Maryland.html

4. If you have no luck with these try The PC Donate & Retrofit Clearinghouse on the web at http://www.dataanalysis.com/PCDAR.htm or the Computer and Electronics portion of the Prevention, Recycling & Solid Waste Bookmarks File at http://epainotes1.rtpnc.epa.gov:7777/r10/owcm.nsf/recycle/recbooks#computers

5. You may also want to look at the following web sites which have computer recycling information.

Share the Technology - P.O. Box 548 - Rancocas, NJ 08073 NEW AREA CODE - (856) 234-6156

http://www.libertynet.org/share/

The Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials (MACREDO)

http://www.libertynet.org/macredo/elecapc.htm

The federal donation program for computers web site: www.computers.fed.gov

6. Industry Programs for returned computers

Compaq Computer Asset Recovery Services (CARS)

http://www.digital.com/das039hm.html

Compaq Computer Asset Recovery Services (CARS) offers a comprehensive program that incorporates resale, refurbishment, parts recovery, and recycling for any brand of computer-related equipment. Advantages of the Compaq program include transportation coordination, Superfund/RCRA indemnification, and detailed reporting. For large contracts, Compaq offers a net revenue sharing arrangement. To learn more about Compaq = s program, call 1 (800) 580-7370.

Dell Asset Recovery Programs

http://www.dell.com/us/en/hied/services/asset_000.htm

Dell Financial Services offers two asset recovery programs. The Value Recovery Services (VRS) program, which includes data cleansing and equipment disposition reporting, is designed for functional equipment that has economic value. By contrast, the PC Recycling Services program is for non-functional or outdated equipment.

Gateway Trade In Programs

http://www.goodwill.org/NEWS/2000/gateway.html

Gateway, in conjunction with Goodwill Industries, recently began a program that gives consumers a $100 discount on a new PC for donating a functioning 386 or better computer (any manufacturer) to their local Goodwill. The donated computers will be used primarily in Goodwill = s job training and computer centers. In addition, Gateway also has a Trade In Program for businesses that allows companies to sell old computer equipment and receive credit for new Gateway products. For more information, call 1 (800) 779-2000.

IBM Product End-of-Life Management (PELM) Program

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/healthycomputing/envreport/end.html

For a fee, IBM = s U.S. customers can dispose of IBM and non-IBM equipment through the Product End-of-Life Management (PELM) Program. IBM operates a worldwide network of material recovery centers for collecting used IT equipment. In 1996 alone, IBM reutilization centers processed over 88 million pounds of equipment; over 85 percent of the equipment was either reused or recycled.

Micron Green Recycling Program

http://www.micronpc.com/programs/mpower/ind_recycle.html

Under Micron = s Green Recycling Program, companies can trade in there old or non-functioning computers for a rebate on new Micron computers. Micron bears the cost of shipping and will dispose the computers A through environmentally-friendly, EPA- approved methods. @ Companies, however, are expected to purchase at least as many PC as was returned, and there is a $75 per system fee for trade-ins of fewer than five computers.

7. West Virginia does have a central computer donation organization after all! Mission West Virginia is a non-profit organization that was created at the direction of Governor Cecil Underwood in 1997. It has a mission of linking faith communities (WV Council of Churches and other groups) to improve the quality of life in the state.

I had heard about it in connection with donations of computer equipment to senior centers but until now was unable to find out about the group. I spoke with them and found out that they have distributed about 500 computers to date to various organizations and have become a major source for Federal and State computer donations.

Here is their webpage - http://missionwv.org with a description of their activities and organization. Interesting reading. I will be receiving more information and will forward it. -Bill Willis, 8/21/00

8. Computer Donations

Want to donate a computer to an educational or community group? Here are some places that can use your used machine:

The Children's Project, a group based in King of Prussia, has developed Project 2000, which collects, repairs and distributes used computers to disadvantaged families. For more information: 610-337-4434.

National Cristina Foundation of Stamford, Conn., accepts old computers, refurbishes and donates them to nonprofit organizations. For details, call 1-800-274-7846.

Non-Profit Computing Inc. of New York accepts donations of used computers, fax machines, telephone systems and other telecommunications equipment and places machines with nonprofit, educational and government organizations around the world. Call 212-759-2368.

Ogontz Avenue Art Co. of Philadelphia accepts computers from corporations and individuals. The donated machines are used to teach inner-city children. Once the children learn the skills, they get to keep the computers. For more information: 215-886-4933.

Urban Technology Project, a School District of Philadelphia initiative in Hunting Park, is a student-run refurbishing and recycling program that distributes donated computers to schools and community agencies, primarily in North Philadelphia. For more information: 215-227-0600 or toll-free, 877-294-2310.

Nonprofit Technology Resources of Philadelphia accepts 486 or later computers, VGA monitors and dot-matrix printers for low-income families after use in hardware maintenance classes. For more information: 215-564-6686.

EPR2 Project Electronic Equipment Recyclers Contact List http://www.nsc.org/ehc/epr2/cntctlst.htm#PA

The National Recycling Coalition = s (NRC) National Database of Electronics Recyclers, Reuse Organizations, and Municipal Programs is on the web at http://www.nrc-recycle.org/programs/electronics/search/getlisting.asp