Old Obsolete Hardware Disposal/Recycling

Location/location/location It is illegal in some areas to throw these items out and check your yellow pages in your area under computer recyclers. Any picture tube needs recycling besides which I've read the monitor can hold a charge strong enough to kill someone for up to 1 year when unplugged. These are things which should not just be laid oput like landmines for someone to stumble upon. Thats not even mentioning the gas in the tube itself and the glass is often reusable. But the only way to know is to check locally.

You're right, it could be environmentally damaging to simply throw the stuff away. In addition, it's probably illegal.

I found a list of several dozen companies/organizations in my state by simply going to my State Web Site, and running a search for "computer recycling" (or something similar).

As an example (not knowing where you are), here are the links I went to/followed:

1. My state's official Web site:

http://www.colorado.gov/

2. Clicked on Search:

http://www.state.co.us:8765/

Entered: "Computer Recycling"

http://www.state.co.us:8765/query.html?col=schp&ht=0&qp=&qt=computer+recycling&qs=&qc=&pw=100%25&ws=0&la=&qm=0&st=1&nh=25&lk=1&rf=0&oq=&rq=0&si=0

That gave me a list of many possibilities, including:

Clicked on: OEMC - Electronic Recycling
Computer Recycling Collection Events Addressing the Disposal of Computers in Colorado Program Description The Challenge: Computers and electronic components are becoming obsolete at a rapidly increasing.

Hereis the list It took me to:

http://www.state.co.us/oemc/programs/electronic_options.pdf

REMOVE SPACES from the pasted URL.

I found a company that will pick the stuff up, and they will even PAY for some usable equipment. Worst case, they pickit up, pay nothing, charge nothing.

I'm sure your state may have a similar list on their Web site.

I've give old computers and computer hardware to The Salvation Army. [I live in Los Angeles and they have their own Computer outlet store]. When I asked them what they did with stuff they didn't sell, they told me a recycler comes by and picks up their junk [good for the environment for those who are concerned]. It's a charitable donation for us, and provides jobs for the disabled [who sort, catalog, test, disassemble, clean and so on].

Computers are made up of parts that are often dangerous to landfills. This includes heavy metals (lead, cadmium, silver) and batteries with mercury. The disposal challenge and damaging effects, especially to children, of lead are particularly well documented by the National Lead Information Center. In addition, lead stabilizers are used in some computer casings. Organizations across the nation are taking the lead in setting up programs for this, reducing the impact this potentially hazardouswaste.

Computers can not and should not be disposed in landfills. Instead, there are resources to dispose of your equipment in a way that does not harm the environment. You can donate your computer to a local non-profit organization or clearinghouse first, since they often have needs for used computers. If this is not an option for you, there are tech recycling agencies that will remove the equipment and deal with it in a responsible manner.

This article has great links and informationabout places that will be more than happy to remove or receive your old hardware...and you may even get a nice tax deduction in the process:

http://www.aarp.org/computers-features/Articles/a2002-07-02-donatecomputers

Delete any spaces in the URL.

Good luck...hope this helps!

The other answers are correct, I just have to mention, there is no gas in a vacum tube. Sorry, just one of those things I cant help but notice.

In my area, we have 2 orginazations working in junjunction to properly recycle and dispose of old electronics, and small electrical items.

Goodwill Industries

and www.comprenew.com

Comprenew is also a good source for older hardware should you need to keep an old system running.

Chas

it is very illegal one monitor has on average about 9 pounds of lead in it not to mention capacitors and diodes on boards there is lots of local companies that strip down and reclaim materials silicon also doesnt decompose and capacitors and diodes have some very nasty and toxic chemicals in them

a monitor holds up to arround 45,000 volts unplugged-(very deadly)

One place you may check is your county landfill(dump). I was dropping off a TV this past weekend. There, in a special lot, was a place for TVs, computers, monitors, printers, etc. Most of the stuff was VERY old, IBM ATs, green screens.
Check with your county or city/town and see if any recycling is done, or what they recommend.

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