Just because you've outgrown your computer doesn't mean the machine can't be put to good use. Instead of hauling it out to the curb or dropping it in a dumpster, consider donating your unwanted CPU, monitor or peripherals to an organization that will put them in the hands of students and other people who would otherwise have no access to the technology. Even if the computer cannot be used as-is, it may contain valuable parts that can be re-used.
Chicagoan Paul Roberts works with the Computers For Schools Program (CFSP), a non-profit group that refurbishes used computers for use in schools. Here he explains how old computer are fixed up and donated to organizations that need them:
- Keep it out of a landfill.
By donating your old computer to a group like CFSP, you'll insure that it gets put to good use instead of ending up in a landfill. Instead it will be refurbished and donated given to a school or non-for-profit organization.
- Hard drives are wiped.
When a computer comes in, the first thing that CFSP volunteers do is wipe the hard drive, thus insuring that the previous owner's data is gone.
- Systems are upgraded.
Then they install all the necessary drivers, and sometimes upgrade the memory, upgrade the hard drive, or add a CD Rom drive.
- Donate 133mhz or faster.
Currently , the organization is accepting computers with a 133mhz Pentium processor or better. Monitors must be 15 inches or larger.
- Get a tax write-off.
CFSP is a 501C3, non-for-profit organization, so donations are tax deductible with a deduction receipt that they provide. For donors offering ten or more systems, the group will arrange free pickup of the computers.
- Look for local programs.
If you want to keep your old technology working instead of taking up landfill space, search the Internet for computer donation programs in your city or state.
For more about donating or recycling old computers, check out the following websites:
Computers For Schools
www.pcsforschools.org
Computers For Learning
www.computers.fed.gov
National Safety Council: How to Donate, Reuse, or Recycle Your Old Computer
www.nsc.org
World Computer Exchange
www.worldcomputerexchange.org
IT Technophere.net: Places to Donate and Recycle Computer Equipment
www.technosphere.net
Additional Resource:
Choosing Recycled Goods
www.ecologue.com
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