recycling things around the office
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recycling things around the office

What do you do with all of those ink toner cartridges that your office uses each day? How about all of the paper that is tossed out after being looked at for just a few seconds? Now, what do you do with all of the dead batteries from different gadgets around the office? I created this blog to help other businesses find methods of recycling the many recyclable materials that come in and out of the office in a day. It is my hope that knowing what can be done with these things will help keep them out of the landfill.

recycling things around the office

How To Get Rid Of Your Old Computers

Micheal Wagner

If you've bought several new computers over the years, you may have the old ones pushed to the back of the closet because you don't know how to get rid of them. Your state or city may prohibit throwing a personal computer and monitor in the trash, so recycling and donating are two possible options. Here are some suggestions on how to get rid of your old computers.

Decide If You Want to Donate Them

If your computers are still fairly new, they might be useful enough to donate. Computers that are several years old may be too slow and outdated to be suitable for anyone to use, so keep that in mind before you find a place to take your donations. If you plan to donate a computer, it should be in good working order and have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse that work, too.

Call your local thrift shops to see if they take donations or if they know of other places that do. You can even place ads online stating that you're giving away a free computer, and someone may pick up your donation for free. Keep in mind that you must erase your hard drive before you give your computer away. This protects your identity and passwords from falling into the wrong hands.

Find a Place to Recycle Old Computers

If your computer is old, or if you're too uncomfortable with someone else using it because of privacy concerns, then you should recycle it instead. You can solve the worry over your privacy by removing the hard drive before you get rid of a computer. You can destroy it or just keep it at home. This ensures no one will get your personal information.

There are usually several places you can recycle a computer. Try an electronics store or your local recycling center. Your city's waste-management department may have a drop-off place for computers, too. Your city might even hold a drive once or twice a year where they collect computers and other electronics.

You can recycle monitors and computers, as well as accessories, but you may want to hold onto an extra keyboard and mouse. If the one you're using goes out, you'll have a spare you can use until you buy a new one. However, you'll want to follow the instructions of the place where you plan to take your computer. If you recycle them with your city, it may be necessary to turn in a complete computer system rather than parts.

Even if your computer is broken or so old that it's useless, it contains valuable metals inside that can be removed and recycled. Some are heavy metals, which are dangerous to the environment, and that's one reason computer equipment is not welcome in landfills. Recycling a computer is as easy as dropping it off at a local electronic waste–collection center. You'll be doing a good deed for the environment, and you'll reclaim space in your closet, too.

To learn more, talk to companies like Ranch Town Recycling Center Inc.


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