How to Recycle a Computer Back to the Manufacturer

Recycling computer hardware has never been easier, thanks to environmentally friendly manufacturers. Most offer some sort of recycling programs for their products. Some manufacturers charge a small fee for the service, then offer discounts on new equipment, some are free and some even pay shipping. Follow these steps to recycle a computer back to the manufacturer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Labels and packing slips
• Suitable box
• Cushioning material
• Shipping tape

1. Contact the computer manufacturer through their website to view policies and procedures. Get authorization and pay any fees required online or mail them separately. Print out needed labels and packing slips.

2. Get your old hardware ready to recycle. Wipe the hard drive clean if it hasn't already crashed. Go to the command prompt in the Accessories file and give it a "format C" command or use software specifically designed to do this.

3. Use the original box and packing in which your computer equipment came, get a clean sturdy used box, go to a box store and buy a suitable box or take the equipment to a wrap and ship service, along with the labels and paperwork you printed in Step 1.

4. Pack the equipment in the box, surrounded by ample cushioning. When shipping a monitor, place it on packing with the glass facing the side of the box and surround it with packing to avoid breakage. There are special rules pertaining to uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and other batteries, so pay special attention to those.

5. Tape the box shut, placing strong tape over all seams. Apply the shipping labels you printed out in Step 1, then use clear tape to secure them to the box.

6. Place an arrow on the box indicating the side that should be up during shipping and add any other warnings required. Labeling requirements vary by state. Check your state labeling regulations by going to the Environmental Protection Agency website for your state.

7. Call for pickup by the service prescribed by the computer manufacturer, or deliver the box to a shipping terminal.

Tips & Warnings

• Your computer hardware should fit in a 2-foot-wide by 2-foot-tall by 2-foot-deep box and not weigh more than 150 pounds.
• Strip any old labels off a used box and black out any old bar codes and addresses.
• If you have a large quantity to recycle, place it on a pallet and shrink-wrap it, then use special shipping instructions for large quantities.
• Manufacturers don't accept computer monitors with broken screens.
• Keep UPS and other batteries in an upright position to avoid leakage.
• California and Maine have stringent requirements for recycling electronic waste. Be sure to check shipping and labeling requirements.