Computer Recycling

Do you know that many toxins live in your computer, monitor, and printer? These toxic substances should never be introduced into your local landfill. When you are finished with your computer it is imperative that you find a way to dispose of it which will not harm the environment. You can dispose of your unwanted computer in many different ways to keep it out of the landfill. Whatever you choose computer recycling is a very important thing for you to do.

You have a few options open to you when it comes to your home computer recycling needs. Computer recycling is often done at your local landfill, recycling center or through your local electronics recyclers. At any of these locations you can take them your old computer, monitor, and printers and they will recycle them for you. However, they will generally charge you a nominal fee for the service. The fee can range from about $5 up to about $20 in most areas, depending on the items you want to dispose of; computer recycling will be the most expensive while printer recycling will be less expensive.

Many areas now offer you a special day once or twice per year where you can take all of your electronics to be recycled for free. They will allow you to bring your unwanted computer and printer equipment. You will generally find announcements for computer recycling events in your local newspaper.

Recycling computer monitors is very important. Computer monitors contain both toxic substances as well as a toxic gas, similar to the ones in your home television set. Because of this, monitor disposal requires that you take it somewhere to allow for the toxic gas to be removed in a safe way where the gas will not be released into the earth's atmosphere.

Printer recycling is another consideration. Recycling printers themselves is important as is recycling ink cartridges and laser supplies. You can refill your own ink cartridges at home with a simple kit purchased at your local computer supply store or retailer such as Wal*Mart or Target. If you are not up to the task of trying to refill your ink cartridges yourself you can donate them to organizations that make money by sending the ink cartridges off to be refilled and then resold to consumers. Often local schools and church groups have collection baskets for your used ink cartridges.

Laser printer cartridges generally come with a postage-paid label in their box which allows you to mail back the spent cartridge to the manufacture for recycling.

PC disposal is a big problem for both individuals and corporations. IT asset disposal regulations require that companies dispose of their unwanted technology items in a way which is friendly to the environment. Because of the costs associated with PC disposal many corporations rid themselves of unwanted technology by using computer donating services. These services match up non-profit organizations looking for computers with the corporations looking to dispose of their unwanted computers. It ends up being a win-win situation for both sides and keeps the computers out of the landfills as well.

Regardless of which option you choose, it is very important to recycle your old computer and keep it out of the landfill. Computer recycling is one of the best things you can do to help the environment.