How Do You Safely Dispose An Old Computer?
You’ve decided to upgrade. But how do you safely get rid of your old computer? Computers and other electronic devices are now considered hazardous “e-waste” and need to be properly disposed of. If it’s still in good working condition, you could donate your old computer to a non-profit agency or training institution. You’d even wind up getting a tax credit for the donation. With US landfills containing as much as 6 percent toxic waste, many states have outlawed dumping of electronic waste, which includes PC’s and monitors. That’s because they contain toxic chemicals like lead and mercury, as well as flame retardants that are possible carcinogens. There’s a growing demand for recycling computers. While it’s important to recycle your computer, you need to be sure that your recycler isn’t dumping it someplace else. Up to 80 percent of U.S. electronic waste collected for recycling is dumped in China and Africa. Those countries have few environmental or safety regulations and no data securit
