How to Dispose of an Old Mac Computer
Old electronics devices can wreak havoc on the environment when they are thrown in the trash. Macs and other computers contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium that are dangerous in landfills, according to Macworld. There are several safe, responsible options for disposing of your old Mac computer, and some of them come with compensation to you.
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Instructions
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Use the Apple Recycling Program to recycle your old Mac. When you purchase a new Mac, Apple gives you free shipping and recycling for your old one. You can also pay a fee to ship and recycle your old Mac, if you have not made a purchase.
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Dispose of your old Mac and get compensated for it by shipping your computer for reuse. In addition to basic recycling, you can determine from Apple if your computer qualifies for reuse. If it is reusable, you can receive the monetary value of the computer in the form of an Apple Gift Card, after you ship the computer using a prepaid label.
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Donate your old Mac to a nonprofit organization or school. The Telecommunications Industry Association and TechSoup both offer search tools that allow you to identify donation programs in your area. (See Resources)
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Sell your old Mac computer using an online auction site like eBay, or an online classified service like Craigslist. Even when a Mac is outdated or not functioning, it may still have some value. Check online auction sites for recent sales of similar models to get an idea of the value of your old Mac.
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Recycle an old Mac locally. Many city recycling programs offer drop-off electronics recycling. Contact your local recycling service to find out if this is an option for you.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you delete all personal files before selling or donating your Mac, or sending it back to them for reuse.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Toxic hazard flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
