Computers are a staple of everyday life. A regular computer user is reliant on them for work, school, Zoom meetings, and access to email and the internet. Eventually, your computer will slow down or even stop working.
Your screen may crack, or you may realize you need more memory than your current device has available. If it’s time to get a new computer, then you’ll need to know how to dispose of old computers and devices.
There are many ways to safely dispose of computers and old hardware. This can range from physical destruction of old hard drives to computer recycling programs. One thing is clear; trashing old computers entirely should be a last resort.
Desktop computers, laptops, and tablets are considered electronic waste, often referred to as e-waste. Other types of e-waste include televisions, cell phones, computer monitors, microwaves, lighting devices, and stereo equipment.
There is almost 7 million tons of e-waste generated each year in the United States. Unfortunately, only 15% of old devices are recycled.
Recycling your old laptop, tablet, or desktop computer can have a significant impact on the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling one million laptops could power more than 3,600 U.S. homes with electricity for a year.
Recycling electronics helps cut down on manufacturing pollution, conserves natural resources, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that result from raw material mining, extraction, and processing.
Computers and computer equipment are manufactured using several precious and valuable metals. There are various components in an old computer that can be recycled. These include copper, gold, iron, palladium, and aluminum.
Your computer also contains glass and plastic that can be removed and recycled. It is better to recover these materials rather than disposing of them in a landfill.
The reclamation of valuable metals reduces the need for future mining and extraction of these precious resources. These metals are non-renewable and require significant energy and financial resources to obtain. Melting down and reusing the metal components from your old computer saves these resources for future use.
There are also some parts of a computer that contain environmentally toxic materials, such as lead, lithium-ion, chromium, and mercury. It is important to keep these hazardous materials out of our landfills.
Electronics are considered environmentally toxic waste. In fact, in most areas of the country, tossing electronics into your trash or taking them to a landfill is illegal.
There are EPA and local regulations that are in place to keep e-waste out of our landfills. When dumped into a landfill, over time, the toxic metals will degrade and leak out, contaminating the nearby soil and water with toxic runoff.
If you already have your new replacement computer, you can do a direct transfer of data from your old computer to the new one. This is the easiest way to transfer all your data off of your old device in preparation for a factory reset. Personal data in the wrong hands can be disastrous.
If not, then you will need to save your files to a storage location off of your computer before deleting them. You can accomplish this in several ways:
Take special care to remove sensitive data from all the folders and storage on your computer. This includes sensitive information like bank statements, tax returns, anything with your Social Security number on it, and other financial data. You will also want to transfer off your photos and personal files you want to save.
When deleting sensitive files, it is not enough to just move files to the recycle or trash bin on your computer. This does not permanently delete these files from your device. They could still be retrieved by an identity thief. Only factory settings wipe the hard drive clean.
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends that you use a disk cleaning software program. This will permanently remove the data stored on your computer’s hard drive. This type of software does not just delete the files.
Instead, it overwrites them, which completely eliminates the original data. This process can take several hours, so give yourself enough time to complete the process before you get rid of your computer.
You should also check any software installed on your computer to see if it can be transferred to a new device. Some software programs allow for installation on multiple computers. If yours doesn’t, you will have to uninstall it from your old computer and then reinstall it on your new one.
Finally, be sure to delete your browsing history and any password information. You can then uninstall any programs that may store your personal information. Finish with a factory reset of your computer to delete any setup or sensitive information.
For extra security, you can also remove your hard drive. You can save or physically destroy the hard drive if you don’t want to keep it.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of managing all this data transfer and deleting, there are some commercial backup services that will save all your files and information. Then, wipe the memory of your old laptop or computer to factory settings.
You should never dispose of old computer technology with your regular trash. This also goes for old hardware from other used electronics. It also should not be placed in with your curbside recycling. Instead, use one of these ways to donate or recycle it:
If it is still in working order, you can donate it. Check with charitable organizations, schools, or families in need in your community.
If you want to donate it to a thrift/resale store, make sure they will accept old electronics first. Goodwill accepts all types of electronics through a partnership with Dell, providing recycling for computers and related accessories.
Resell your computer device if it is in good condition. Some computer repair shops will take previously-owned computers on consignment. You can also offer it for sale or free on Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay.
Recycle it through a manufacturer’s program. Many companies offer a recycling program, including Dell, Apple, HP, and Lenovo. You may qualify for trade-in credits or even cash for your old computer device.
Take your old computer to a household hazardous waste (HHW) facility near you. Look on your city’s website to get information on community recycling facilities in your neighborhood.
Or, you can wait for a community recycling event. Check to make sure they accept e-waste before heading out with your old computer. These services are often free for residents.
Computer retailers offer trade-in or buy-back programs. The computers turned in are sent to the manufacturer for recycling or to an electronics recycling facility. BestBuy, Office Depot, and Staples offer free recycling for your old electronics.
You may qualify for a gift card or discount off the purchase of a new device. The EPA offers a guide to retailers who offer recycling service.
Use Amazon’s electronics recycling service. This lets you send in your old laptop or tablet at your nearest UPS location and offers an Amazon gift card in exchange for eligible items, even those that are non-working.
You can also use free recycling bins at select drop-off locations with Amazon Lockers and return drop-off points. Amazon will securely destroy any data left on your laptop or tablet before recycling.
Use a professional computer disposal service. They will reuse computer parts that are still in good condition and recycle the rest. These computers are then resold or donated to charitable organizations.
As with most consumer goods, you can make an environmental difference with smart purchasing from the start. While it’s always nice to upgrade to a new electronic device, you might be surprised at how much you can improve your existing computer without needing to purchase a whole new one.
If your computer is running slow, you can save money and reduce your impact on the environment by repairing or upgrading your device instead of replacing it completely. Swapping out some hardware components or installing new software may make all the difference, allowing you to keep your computer longer instead of disposing of it.
When purchasing a new computer or laptop, look for one that will last for years. About 80% of the energy that a laptop uses over its lifetime is not during use by consumers, but is from the manufacturing process.
To reduce the number of laptops you’ll buy in your lifetime, be sure to get enough memory to provide for the amount of storage you’ll need over the whole life of your computer. Purchase a device with good reviews for durability and reliability.
Spending just a bit more money when making your purchase may mean the difference between a device you keep for just a year or two and one that can last you much longer.
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