We’ve got old computers, laptops, and monitors sitting the garage collecting dust. Most of them don’t work anymore and we can’t just throw them out because they have parts that could potentially lead to environmental hazards. This eHow article provides steps, tips, and warnings for safely disposing computers.
The Dallas Morning News printed a story that covered not only electronics, but also items like furniture, lumber materials, and more. Here’s a list of places and ways to recycle stuff, some from the The Dallas Morning News and others from research.
Many schools including my kids’ elementary and middle schools participate in the Cartridges for Kids program. If you don’t have a school, we’d be glad to take your stuff. If you’re outside of the Dallas area, you may not want to ship it to us and one of these may have more convenient options.
Computers and Electronics
CollectiveGood collects mobile phones, pagers, and PDAs.
The County of Sacramento has many links to cell phone recycling sources.
DonateIT wipes drives clean and provides info on how wipe drives.
Freecycle consists of 4,132 groups with 3,913,000 members across the globe. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.
Free Geekery lists 10 ways to recycle old computers.
Guide to Computer Recycling and Reuse
Palm Recycling Program is a free service for recycling old and unused cellphones and handhelds.
ReCellular recycles and resells used wireless phones and accessories. It wipes the phone’s memory clean to eliminate all personal information.
Staples accepts computers and tech hardware. Charges $10 for large equipment.
Clothes and Shoes
Dress for Success donates work clothes to low-income women so they can wear them to job interviews.
Books
Most libraries accept book donations. If they don’t add it to their collection, they might save them for a book sale. Your area might have an organization that collects books for book sales or donating.
American Library Association info on book donations.
Books for Prisoners and Prisoners’ Reading Encouragement Project
Drop your book somewhere and it could join BookCrossing.
Baby Gear
Newborns in Need is a charity organized to take care of sick and needy babies and their families.
Glasses and Hearing Aids
Lions Clubs for glasses
LensCrafters for glasses
Unite for Site for glasses
Lions Clubs for hearing aids
About.com Hearing Aids Recycling info
Hear Now for hearing aids
House Materials and Furniture
Dallas Habitat for Humanity accept specific building materials. Check your local organization to see if it accepts such items.
Others
Write Direct Marketing Association to opt out of junk mail for $1 check or money order. Do it online at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist or send it to Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. You must renew every five years.
E-cycling Central lets you find recycling centers by location (U.S. only)
General Recycling and Reuse information
Green Dimes Junk Mail Reduction Kit promises to reduce junk mail by 90 percents and plant 10 trees in your honor for $15.
HUG Internationally is a Dallas area organization that works with orphanages and hospitals in Romania. HUG also addresses the problems of housing these babies, including repairs and renovation of buildings.
International Consumer Recycling Guide
Updated: October 15, 2007
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