How to Donate Old Macs

You can donate your old Macintosh computer to Goodwill or Salvation Army like any other PC, but savvy Mac users know there's a much greener approach. iResQ, formerly known as MacResQ, recycles old Macintosh computers for spare parts and disposes of broken components in an eco-friendly manner. No matter what kind of Mac you'd like to donate, iResQ will put it to good use.

Things You'll Need

• Original operating system disc(s) that came with your Macintosh
• Box and shipping materials to safely pad your shipment
• Packing tape

Instructions

Preparation and Packaging

1. Use the your original operating system disc(s) to completely erase the hard drive and reinstall the default operating system (OS) that came with your computer. This will protect your personal data.

2. Pack your old Macintosh and any other accessories you no longer need in a large box with plenty of foam padding. Fill in any loose spaces in the box with padding to insure the Mac arrives undamaged.

3. Tape the box up carefully around all four sides with packing tape. Cover all the seams of the box.

4. Email [e-mail] or call [phone] to ask for shipping instructions on donating your old Macintosh for reuse and recycling.

5. Address the package with the shipping information they provide and ship it using your preferred shipper.

Tips & Warnings

• iResQ has a "Request an Offer" buyback form on their website you can fill out to help defray your shipping costs.

• If your Macintosh is not functioning, iResQ will still take it for recycling, but it's a good idea to remove your Mac's hard drive(s) before you ship it out if you're concerned about who has access to your personal data.

Resources

• iResQ Recycling Program