When it's time to upgrade your computer, it's important to take a little effort to find a good computer disposal and recycling service.
Many areas will have a national computer recyling day, sometimes also called an E-day, where people can drop off old computers and peripehrals for recycling. The old computers are then picked up by a local computer recycler and disposed of appropriately.
The computers can be taken apart and many parts can be used in other systems, or sent on to a specialized computer recyling service center to be broken down and reconstitued.
Computers contain a myriad of chemicals and toxins, which, if not recycled, generally end up in landfill. Once in landfill, these chemicals leach into the soil and have the potential to contaminate nearby land, vegetation, and waterways.
Some of the common toxic chemicals found in computers and computer parts include high levels of heavy metals such as lead (mainly in CRT monitor glass), mercury, phosphorus, and beryllium.
You'll need to check with your local computer recycling service, but below is a list of equipment that most will accept and dispose of appropriately.
The easiest way to go is to keep your ears open for local computer disposal events where you can bring your e-waste to a certain location and a recycling service will take it off your hands.
If you're concerned about just how eco friendly or trustworthy the recycler is, do a little due dilligence:
Got some old electronic equipment I'd like to get rid of including a computer, monitor, printer, cell phones, radios, TV, scanner, etc.