RECYCLE, REUSE, OR DONATE!

Reprinted from Renfrew-Collingwood News,
December 2001/January 2002 Edition. Updated May 2005.

Today, with computer technology advancing exponentially, most computer users and businesses are doing more upgrades and replacements of older machines. So, once we have done all of our upgrades and replacements, what do we do about the old parts or computers that no longer meet our needs? How do we get rid of them? Many individuals would choose to take the easy way out by throwing it out with their weekly garbage. Others would go one step further and take it to the city dump. According to Environment Canada, by 2005, the amount of disposed computers and peripherals will double to more than 67,000 tonnes in Canada. Each year, more than 158,000 tonnes of e-waste (i.e. dead computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, mobile phones, etc.) are incinerated, or buried in landfills. Currently, the City of Vancouver does not prohibit dumping of old computers and monitors in the city landfill. This does not mean that dumping of old computer equipment and electronics are encouraged. Patrons should dispose of their used electornics and vintage computers properly to avoid any potential environmental problems that will eventually come back to haunt us. Computers and their internals are toxic.

A typical computer including monitor, may contain chromium, cadmium, mercury, lead, and other hazardous materials, if leaked into our water systems, could create future health hazards. The silicon chip brain (CPU) of a typical computer contains Chromium, which can damage the DNA of living cells. Mercury, found in computer circuits, can cause both liver and kidney damage. More than 1.1 million tonnes of mecury are discarded by Canadians every year. Computer screens or monitors also contain up to 8 pounds of lead. The lead, used primarily to shield us from excess radiation, can leak into the ground and into our ground water which can cause developmental disorders in young children. Each year, an estimated 4740 tonnes of lead from old computer monitors and televisions are discarded. Tremendous care and caution should be taken, when disposing your old computer and electronic gadgets.

The easiest way of getting rid of the old box is to simply give it away. After all, this is the season to be giving, right? Since most working computers that we have can be quite adequate in doing simple tasks like typing, computer programming, or managing family finance, giving the old family computer, provided that it still works, to a friend, brother, sister, colleague, or other immediate family members is a good idea.

Alternatively, you can donate the computer to “Computer for Schools” program. This volunteer-run program is supported by the federal government and is in every province and territory across the country. The program takes in old computers, Pentium Class or PowerPC Class or better, cleans, refurbishes and distributes them throughout their corresponding province or territory. Since 1993, the volunteer-run program has clean, refurbished and distributed more than 250,000 computers to schools and libraries across the country. The computer offers donors tax receipts for working computers, hard drives, monitors, memory chips, printers, scanners, and other peripherals. For more information about this program, check out their website at: http://www.schoolnet.ca/cfs-ope

Reboot Canada is another non-profit organization that accepts old computer equipment. Reboot Canada will refurbish and donate the equipment or recycle it for a small administrative fee. The only stipulation is that they will only accept computers that are faster than 233 Mhz (i.e. Pentium and up). For further information about this program, you check out their website at: http://www.tradeworks.bc.ca/reboot/

Since, this article first published in December 2001, many manufacturers have realized what a huge problem e-waste has become and many have begun their own recycling programs to mitigate this ever-growing problem. PC manufacturers such as: Dell Canada, Hewlett Packard Canada (HP), and IBM have all started their own recycling programs.

• Dell Canada -Tax receipts is available for qualified donated computers. Accepts both notebook and desktop computers. CPU must be a Pentium II/Celeron or higher. Donors will also receive 10% off any software and peripherals on Dell Canada’s website. Free recycling service, up to 3 boxes, for all customers who have purchased a Dell printer or computer system.
• Hewlett Packard Canada – Customer’s can recycle any brand and type of computer for a small fee between $20 – $52 per box. Exact cost is determined by quantity of boxes and type of hardware. Corporation and large orders are accepted. In addition to computers, customers can recycle, free of charge, their used HP Laser toners and Inkjet cartridges, click here for more information.
• IBM Canada – Individuals and small businesses can any manufacturer’s PC (includes: peripherals, monitors, printers, etc.) for $49.95 CDN, including shipping. IBM will also provide program participants with up to 8% discount on new IBM products. For further information, customers should call: 1-888-SHOP-IBM, Select Option 1, Enter 27615 or you can sent an e-mail to: dispose@ca.ibm.com.

That is just fine and dandy you say…but what about the my old Commodore 64, Apple II, or 386, or 486 or grandma’s black and white monitor, or any other prehistoric computer door-stops you may have kept? Where should you bring those?

You can continue to use it as a good door-stop or you can call various computer retailers around town to see if they will take your used equipment for resell or take it to a recycler for you. Strider Computers, Cal’s Computer Warehouse, and PC Galore are local computer stores you can try that may do recycling, refurbishing, and resell of old computers. You should also check various municipality websites to see if they have recycling programs, specifically, for electronic goods. For further information on e-waste, you can also consult the Recycling Council of BC, Electronics Product Stewardship Canada (EPSC), or Earth 911.

Finally, if your equipment is deemed “too old” to be recycled, refurbished, or donated, you can still try, as a last resort, the following museums for “relic” computer equipment:

• Computer History Museum
• Obsolete Computer Museum
• Old Computers – Rare, Vintage, and Obsolete
• Old Computers – Online Museum – Museum and collector’s market
• Sand Diego Computer Museum

So, whether you are planning to buy a new computer, personal digital assistant, or just a television set this Christmas, make sure that you properly dispose of all your old electronic gadgets and parts.

Before giving away your computer, you should do the following:

1. Make sure your computer is in good working order. Check the keyboard and mouse to make sure that it works and the keys are not missing. The monitor, when turned on, actually displays an image.
2. Label your cables, components and computer model number if you are planning on shipping the machine to someone or an organization. If you are sending more than one machine, make a checklist recording everything you have sent them, so that the receiver of your kind gift can quickly make sure everything is there.
3. Make sure you remove all the critical data on your machine, personal contacts lists, old e-mails, and programs and applications. You can readily find free online software that will , permanently, erase all data from your hard drive. Organizations, like “Computers for School” will actually format your hard drive and reinstall a new copy of the operating system before they actually ship the machine to a recipient school or library.
4. Some charitable organizations will offer tax receipts, so make sure you remember to ask them for one if you need one.

Well, until next time…

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

~ Geekboy

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please e-mail me at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com.

P.S. Don’t forget to recycle those expended rechargeable batteries.