How to Recycle Used Computers

Only one out of five computers on average is being recycled today. This means the rest are going into landfills. Before you decide to throw yours out, contact (800) CLEANUP, which will provide you with a list of resources to contact in your state for more information on recycling.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Used Computers

1. Have all the information about your computer written down ahead of time. This includes type of computer (PC or Mac) and model number and what other desktop items you wish to recycle, such as a keyboard, mouse or printer.
2. Check out the PEP National Directory of Computer Recycling Program's Web site for a list of national recycling programs. The PEP will provide you with names of organizations in your area that will take old computers.
3. Try contacting Back Thru The Future Micro Computers Inc. at [phone], which recycles computers, monitors, printers, scanners and other desktop equipment for corporations, educational institutions, the government and individuals.
4. Call the East West Foundation at [phone] to see about donating your used computer and software. It will fix them and send them to nonprofit organizations worldwide.
5. Get in touch with the National Cristina Foundation at [phone] if you are interested in donating your computer to a nonprofit organization that works with people with disabilities.
6. Donate your outdated computers to Voice of the Children for its work in its Christian orphanages and soup kitchens for street children in Russia and Mexico. Call [phone] or contact VOTC through its Web site, www.votc.org.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are interested in purchasing a used computer, contact Computers for Learning, a federally operated program that donates government computers to schools, educational and nonprofit programs. For more information, send e-mail to [e-mail] or call [phone].