First off let me say that if your PC or laptop does everything you want it to do, why replace it? If it is a matter of hard drive space for more applications or files, upgrade you technology with a larger hard drive. I have had my laptop since 2004 and it was used when I got it. It still does everything I need it to do. I have increased RAM over the years. I purchased an external hard drive to back up important files, and make some room on my drive. This is a lot cheaper than a new laptop.
That said, if you are getting rid of a PC, consider what may be on the PC that you can utilize. If you are getting a new desktop, you may be able to take the old hard drive from your current PC and install it in the new one. This is true of the memory (or RAM) as well. But there are different versions of RAM and some are not compatible. For the most part, RAM is not mix and match.
If you are getting a new laptop, similarities may be RAM, power cord and battery. The last two only if it is the same make; a Sony cord and battery won't fit a Dell laptop.
Don't forget when you get your new machine you may have many files you will want to transfer to it. If you can burn a CD, that may be one way to perform the task, and a thumb drive or external drive would be another.
Once you have the new machine and you are done with the old one, you have a couple options. If the PC worked before you stripped it or still works because you didn't strip it, consider giving it to a younger family member (this includes cousins, not just other kids in the family). If no one is interested or you have none to offer it to you may consider neighborhood families or friends of the family that may benefit from it. The Goodwill and Salvation Army are also an option, as well as the Boys and Girls Club or possibly even your church.
If the items are truly ancient and/or trash, you can try a local technical school or university that offers A+ classes. The instructor may be interested in the items for instructional purposes. Technicians need to learn the old as well as the new.
There are also aspects of the computer that are recyclable but few people know the what or the how to of the process. Ask around and you may find someone that does.
Lastly consider donating printers and scanners as well as other accessories. If you do throw away a PC, know that the monitor must be processed a special way because of the gasses it contains. Call around and see if you can find someone that can dispose of it properly. This does not include laptop monitors or flat screens.
Source: Used to run a non-profit recycling computers.
By Suntydt from Tazewell, TN
This page contains the following solutions.
ALWAYS remove your hard drive when getting rid of your PC. Even if you erase the hard drive, it will have data on it that still can be retrieved by a savvy computer tech.
Staples will help you recycle your old computer(s) for cheap if you live in Washington or Oregon. It appears that the program is just in those two states.
Goodwill has a 'Green' partnership with Dell Computers; In most areas of the Country you can get rid of your old PC or Laptop at a Local Goodwill Store!
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Hello Frugal Friends, I've got a question for you. I bought a new computer last year, and now I want to know what to do with my old one.
It's become a eye sore in my computer room. How do I go about disposing it properly? Thanks for all the help.Hi, I googled Richlands, VA computer recycling and I found some great links.
The first is for a place that you can donate your old computer.
www.computerswithcauses.org/
If, for some reason, that doesn't work out, here is Virginia's DEQ page on recycling computers and other electronics.
I'm so glad that you are trying to find a way to responsibly dispose of it. I'm located near several Intel campuses and they do a computer recycling event every year for the community. You have reminded me to look up when it is this year. Good luck!
There are countless people out there that need to be "Computer Literate" to find a job. They also need a computer to search the Net for job listings. I know because this happened to my daughter. Here are 2 suggestions where you can HELP someone, & not add your old computer to a landfill.
1) Post an add on Craig's list in the "Free" section listing your computer.
2) Call up you local DSHS (the welfare people) and ask to speak to a "Councilor"
3) Call your local "Unemployment" office & have someone post your computer on the bulletin board, there.
4) Call several churches & ask them if they know someone who really needs a computer.
5) Most Thrift Stores do not take use computers, but if it still works, call the local "charity" Thrift Shops (like the Cancer society or Children's hospital) They are more likely to take used computers. (If they work!) Plus, you get a tax write-off when donating to these guys.
6) Call your local "Food Bank" & ask them if they or someone they know needs a computer for job hunting.
7) Call your local library & ask them if they have a "regular" who comes in to use their computers that could use one.
* There needs to be an organization where we can give our old computers to the poor (who need them to find jobs). This could also be a Tax write-off... & could help countless people who don't need the "Newest" computer, they just need something simple, so they can look for a job & be able to say on their job applications that they know how to use a computer.
* Call you local DSHS office & ask them if there's a place like this near you.
*REMEMBER: Your "old, outdated" computer, would be "New" to someone else & could change somebody's life!
---> Be sure to CAREFULLY ERASE EVERYTHING FROM YOUR HARDRIVE before giving your computer to someone else.... Even family!
BE WARNED - In the uk we had a charity that recycled old computers - they were sent to the third world - mainly Nigeria - where computer experts got into the hard drives of the computers and stole all the previous owners details and it was a multi million pound financial scam!
Be careful!
Kindest regards - Borasic Lint
We always remove our hard drives from old computers before getting rid of them just a safety precaution and for peace of mind.
This just came out in the Costco magazine. Go to costco.com, click on electronics, and then on trade-in and recycle. If it has a cash value, they will buy it. If not, they will still send you a prepaid shipping label and you can send it to them. They will recycle everything that isn't currently usable, so it won't go to waste.
Check with your local library or school. They sometimes take donations for afterschool projects. You may even try the YMCA or Local Boys and Girls Club. Hope this helps. Some computer repair stores may even buy it for parts.
If the hard drive is safely cleaned off, I would Freecycle it.
The Freecycle in our area is all the time needing computers, they get grabbed up quick. You can look on Freecycle.com to find the link in your area to join. You may have other things also you would like to freecycle. It's a great way to clean out....
Hi,
I live in Canada in a small town and we take any computers, televisions and electronics to our local dump for free. It is recycled from there.
Freecycle.org - people want those computer parts or all of it desperately! Theyll come and get them whenever you want!
There's a new book out called "Show me How" (www.showmenow.com) which shows you how to make a fishbowl out of an old computer! What's great too is it gives you step-by-step illustration.
Do you have any tips disposing of or recycling computers? Post them below.
Check out the site (as seen on Oprah) www.earth911.org. There are tips for all kind of recycling.
I would love to know how to reuse them. My dad sells computers and is constantly "throwing out" old computers, monitors and other accessories. I did see on this site(thriftyfun): magnets made from keyboard keys. Thats a great one.
When we have any computer parts that we don't want or they don't work, we just set out at the curb and they disappear fast!
When you buy a new one from Dell, I know they have a recycling program. I imagine other computer companies would also.
Here in Austin, the Goodwill Industries will accept all donations of old computer or computer parts. They fix them and then sell them at their stores.
check with local church's or agencies in your community there is a pastor in our area that collects old computers and refurbishes them for kids who cannot afford to buy them he gives them to those kids.
WE DONATED ONE TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN
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