If your computer system is completely non-functioning you can save your pocket book and the environment by recycling. Computers are full of hazardous chemicals and dangerous parts. Throwing it out with the garbage is dangerous and can cost you money. However there are many organizations that recycle old computers safely. This is a website full of resources for recycling electronicsEPA eCycling. Post your ideas and links for recycling in the comments.

It is great how much cheaper computers are getting, when you are getting a new one. The problem is that at the same time it makes your old computer worth much less, so what do you do? You do not want to keep storing it in your home, also all the hazardous chemicals and parts make it very bad for the environment as well as expensive to dispose of. The best solution to get the most value for yourself, while helping the environment and a good cause is to donate your computer to a local charity.

Does Your Computer Qualify to be Donated?

The double benefit is you get a tax right off for your donation and schools, library’s,and non-profits get the equipment they need to help others. However even though they are taking your free gift they still need to meet some requirements usually depending on who you are donating to.

• 1. The computer needs to be operational.
• 2. It needs to be modern enough to run at least some current software.

It does not need to be a speedy system or run the latest software, just usable. What to do with inoperable computers and how to correctly dispose of e-waste will be in my next post.

So how do you find these charities that will take these old computer off your hands? A little legwork on the internet should help I have tried to do a little of that for you. Try one of the resources I have listed in this blog post.

Get the most value out of your old computer as well as a charity and the planet, donate your used computer!

Computer Donation Resources

• U.S. EPA Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer
• TechSoup.org Donate Hardware“the technology place for nonprofits” offers comprehensive listings of places to donate computer hardware or find recycled computer hardware for your nonprofit organization.
• Computers For Schoolsis a non-profit dedicated to providing a low cost alternative for achieving technology in the classroom. Computer for Schools offers certified refurbished computers to schools and non-profits at about 1/3 of the cost of new.
• The National Cristina Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the support of training through donated technology. For more than two decades we have encouraged companies and individuals to donate computers and other technology, which is then matched to charities, schools and public agencies in all 50 states, Canada, and in many countries around the world.
• A list of Many More