Ten Tips for Donating a Computer

Make sure your old PC doesn't end up as landfill -- Source: Techsoup.org

As more companies, organizations, and individuals find reasons to upgrade their computer equipment, the problem of disposing of old equipment grows.

There are three reasons why finding the appropriate way to discard old computer equipment is important:

• According to the U.S. EPA, nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years. In 2001, only 11 percent of personal computers retired in the U.S. were recycled.
• Each computer dumped in a landfill is a missed opportunity to provide Information Age tools to people across the digital divide.
• Out-of-date computer systems can be more of a burden than a blessing to schools and nonprofits, as it can cost them up to $400 to bring a pre-Pentium computer up to today's standards. Donate computers to a recycler or refurbisher, rather than directly to these other groups.

Today, CompuMentor, a provider of technology assistance to other nonprofits and the home of TechSoup, is working with Microsoft Corporation to help consumers properly donate or recycle computer equipment to benefit both society and the environment.

1. Determine if your old computer can be reused: If you have a computer that is less then five years old, chances are that it can be put to good use by someone else. It works best for everyone involved if you can donate your equipment to a nonprofit or school-based refurbisher rather than directly to a charity or school, especially if you need to wipe your hard drive or are not sure of the condition of your equipment. Refurbishers will ensure that equipment passed on to nonprofits and schools is working well and runs legal copies of software. They also know how to properly dispose of non-usable parts, so-called "e-waste." Refurbishers work with newer equipment, usually Pentium-level computers or newer that can run current Internet programs. If your computer is more than five years old, it will be best to send it to a commercial recycler. For listings of refurbishers, see the TechSoup Recycling and Reuse section .
   
   
2. Recycle old and broken PC equipment: Any equipment that is not working or that is below Pentium- or Mac Power PC-level should be tagged for recycling. Recyclers are businesses or organizations that remove useful parts and then break down the rest of the materials, as we do with bottles and cans. They also safely remove hazardous materials. Note: Some of these organizations may charge a fee to accept old PC's and equipment for recycling -- especially computer monitors.
   
   For listings of recyclers, see:
   
   • TechSoup Recycling and Reuse section
   • ElectronicsRecycling.com
     
3. Contact the refurbisher or recycler before donating: Call the organization or check for details on its Web site to ensure that it accepts the type of computer you plan to give away. Some refurbishing organizations, for example, do not accept anything older than a Pentium or Pentium II. While you may be inclined to donate equipment directly to a favorite local school or charity, refurbishers are generally better equipped to repair and upgrade computers. They then pass on ready-to-use equipment to nonprofits, schools and the low-income population at a low cost or for free.
   
4. Remember the accessories: If you can, include the keyboard, mouse, printer, modem, packaged software, or any other accessories. Schools and charitable organizations can almost always put them to good use. Most organizations only accept complete systems.
   
5. If possible, keep the operating system intact: If you are donating hardware with a pre-installed Microsoft operating system, keep in mind that the license is only valid when used on the original OEM machine on which it was first installed. Since charitable organizations usually cannot afford to purchase and license new operating systems, a legal transfer (keeping the machine and operating system together) can be very helpful. Linux and Mac operating systems have different requirements, but we urge that whenever possible, please pass on the operating system software with all donated computers.
   
6. Provide the original media and documentation: It's helpful to have the original disks, media, and documentation that came with the PC when it was purchased. Include the proof of license, which will help facilitate the legal transfer of the operating system.
   
7. If you clean your computer of personal information yourself: it's best to use some disk cleaning software to delete your Internet browser's cache, cookies, history, your e-mail contacts and messages, your documents, your recycle or trash folder, and non-transferable software. The best thing to do is to use a disk cleaning utility that overwrites data so that is unrecoverable.
   
   Here are some examples of disk cleaning utilities:
   
   Commercial Windows Disk Cleaning Software
   Wipe info feature of SystemWorks by Symantec
   Paragon Disk Wiper
   Window Washer by Webroot
   Tracks Eraser  by Acesoft
   WipeDrive by WhiteCanyon
   
   Freeware Windows Disk Cleaning Software (all available at Shareware.com )
   Eraser
   Active@ Kill Disk: Hard Drive Eraser
   Disk Cleaner
   Sure Delete
   BCWipe (shareware)
   
   Macintosh Disk Cleaning Software
   Wipe info feature of SystemWorks by Symantec (using this, you can delete single documents and files)
   iClean by Allume
   SuperScrubber by Jiiva
   
   If the PC is still under a manufacturer's warranty, you can call the company's technical services and ask for specifics on how to delete personal files.
   
8. Follow PC delivery instructions: Many recycling and refurbishing organizations have specific locations where a PC can be donated, while others have delivery instructions they expect donors to follow.
   
9. Keep a list of what you donated for your records: Remember that tax season will be coming up. You are very likely eligible for a tax donation if you donate to a nonprofit refurbisher. Most school or nonprofit refurbishers can provide a tax receipt upon request. The tax laws pertaining to this are Section 170 of the Federal Income Tax Code, the New Millennium Classrooms Act, and the 21st Century Classrooms Act. Business donors can deduct the un-depreciated value of the computer, and individuals can deduct the current market value of a computer. To determine the fair market value of a computer, go to The Used Computer Evaluator .
   
10. Plan for future donations: Save a box from the recycling bin and use it to store the documents that came with your new PC. When the time comes around to donate that PC, everything will be in one place. For more information see TechSoup's Computer Recycling and Reuse FAQ  or post a question to TechSoup's Hardware Forum .

Additional Resources

Refurbishers

We estimate that there are approximately 400 nonprofit and school-based refurbishers in the U.S. It's important to know that most Goodwill and Salvation Army locations around the country are no longer able to accept computer donations due to the cost of disposing of electronic waste.

• The Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Donation Program has largest listing of non-commercial refurbishers in the country
• The National Cristina Foundation lists a network of refurbishers online and at 203-863-9100.
• Computers for Schools  also operates a network of non-commercial refurbishers online and at 800-939-6000.

Recyclers

Several commercial computer recyclers, such as Metech, Envirocycle, and Earth Protection Services  accept donations in various locations around the country and make sure equipment is disposed of properly. Find additional listings for commercial recyclers at:

• ElectronicsRecycling.com
• National Safety Council Electronic Equipment Recyclers Listings
• Electronic Industries Alliance

Article date: November 3, 2003