Disposing of an old computer

[imported_RobJ]

I have an old Dell, but all that is in it is the motherboard, processor, ram, and floppy. Everything else is gone. I don't have a monitor that i'm throwing out either.

Can this stuff just be thrown in a dumpster, or do i have to call Dell for that pick-up program? I know that CRT's require special disposal, but i'm not sure about mobo/proc/ram and a bunch of steel.

thanks!

 

[Jeff7]

Two responsible ways:
Option #1
Option #2

 

[imported_RobJ]

Thanks for that info. I happened completely by chance to find this article on Extreme Tech just now: Computer/CRT Recycling

I wasn't even looking for it -- it was just on the margin where they post news articles.

 

[PremiumG]

what are the specs of it? maybe u can give it away for price of shipping...

 

[AU Tiger]

I believe Office Depot will take one old computer from you.

Hot deal thread on recycling

 

[imported_RobJ]

It's just a CPU, motherboard and Ram. It's a P4 Willamette 1.8 GHz with 512 mb of RD ram. I would have salvaged the components into a new case, but i took a look at it, and the HSF, power supply, and mobo are all proprieatary designs. And I'd also have to buy a hard drive for it, and installing things in that case is hell cuz it's all sharp steel edges in there. And the case weighs a TON.

So i just want to get rid of it. But I don't want to have to drive it to UPS and pay 25 dollars. That's a ripoff. If I have to, I'll just remove the populated mobo and throw the case out, which is legal. And once i find a free way of doing it, i'll get rid of the mobo.

 

[imported_RobJ]

Originally posted by: AU Tiger
I believe Office Depot will take one old computer from you.

Hot deal thread on recycling

I checked that out already, but apparently the deal only ran through labor day.

 

[SickBeast]

I think the government needs to seriously step up and introduce computer recycling and disposal programs. I'm sure most people just throw their stuff in the trash.

 

[amdskip]

Put an ad up on a board at work or wherever or put an ad in the paper for a barebones $50 dell computer and surely someone will pick it up.

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Good thread!

I have a Pentium 200 with a SB16, 64MB RAM, an old modem, and a Matrox Millenium video card to get rid of.

I think the best bet is to contact the local dump and find out what their disposal policies are. Usually they try to make if very easy to dispose of toxic substances so that people don't just dump them somewhere.

They may also know of local recycling programs.

-D'oh!

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Put an ad up on a board at work or wherever or put an ad in the paper for a barebones $50 dell computer and surely someone will pick it up.

I have a 486 dx266 system and monitor that will only do 640x480. I can't sell this crap for $5 or give it away. I wish there was a way to get rid of it responsibly.

 

[Marsumane]

I'd buy it off u for the price of shipping. My gf needs an upgrade from her 400mhz p2 system. pm me and we can talk this out if u want.

 

[lavagirl669]

Donate it to a Computer class at a local school.

The instructor can probably fix it up and get it running and make
it a learning experience for the kids at the same time.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: RobJ
It's just a CPU, motherboard and Ram. It's a P4 Willamette 1.8 GHz with 512 mb of RD ram. I would have salvaged the components into a new case, but i took a look at it, and the HSF, power supply, and mobo are all proprieatary designs. And I'd also have to buy a hard drive for it, and installing things in that case is hell cuz it's all sharp steel edges in there. And the case weighs a TON.

So i just want to get rid of it. But I don't want to have to drive it to UPS and pay 25 dollars. That's a ripoff. If I have to, I'll just remove the populated mobo and throw the case out, which is legal. And once i find a free way of doing it, i'll get rid of the mobo.

You can take the case (the metal part anyway) to a recycling center that takes steel.
As for the CPU and RAM, they're still worth something.

Maybe give Envirocycle a call - I wonder if they let you ship things to them yourself? That $25 shipping label is for a 26" cube, and up to 69 pounds, so you can ship a lot of computer to them for $25. I've accumulated a lot of components over the years, and I've got close to maybe 30 pounds, so I'm getting that label. It sucks that they don't take bare CRT tubes though. I've got a monitor here that I'd like to convert into an iMac type thing - buy an LCD, and build a computer inside it. I'd need to get rid of just the CRT itself, and the accompanying circuitry, but I don't know how to do that yet.

 

[Nickel020]

I don't know if you guys have something like that in the US but over here in Germany we've got these government-run places where you can drive the stuff that shouldn't be dumped in the regular waste and they'll see that it is properly disposed.

That PC is allright though. I am sure just about any school will be happy to take it.

 

[Ioo]

Where do you live?

I work in the hazardous materials disposal indsutry, and would be more than happy to tell you where you can drop your electronics off for free to be recycled or re-used.

Most metropolitan areas have programs called "Household Hazardous Waste" collection programs, usually run by the local municipal waste agency or contracted out to a company like mine. They will usually take things like old paint, pesticides, fertilizers, batteries, electronics and pretty much anything else that should not be landfilled.

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/hhw.htm

Just give me a general city, or if your in a rural area, the nearest large city, and ill try and find you a link.

 

[stevty2889]

You could sell the ram and CPU on ebay. You can still make a decent amount for 512MB of RDRAM.

 

[LifeStealer]

Originally posted by: RobJ
I have an old Dell, but all that is in it is the motherboard, processor, ram, and floppy. Everything else is gone. I don't have a monitor that i'm throwing out either.

Can this stuff just be thrown in a dumpster, or do i have to call Dell for that pick-up program? I know that CRT's require special disposal, but i'm not sure about mobo/proc/ram and a bunch of steel.

thanks!

Fix it

 

[IPLaw]

Add a cheap video card and run a Knoppix Linux Seti or Folding cruncher. Knoppix can turn your old pc components into a real workstation.

 

[imported_RobJ]

Originally posted by: IPLaw
Add a cheap video card and run a Knoppix Linux Seti or Folding cruncher. Knoppix can turn your old pc components into a real workstation.

I have a videocard, but i don't have any extra hard drives.

And the thing is, i refuse to work with that case. I installed some hard drives last summer in it, and i literally had cuts all over my hands and my nails were ripping off my skin. I just built my first rig in a thermaltake tsunami, and i didn't even get a scratch. Except when i accidentally jammed my thumb in the spinning fan -- that caused blood to seep out from under my nail -- ouch!

The only solution that seems to make sense is to sell the proc and ram online, and get rid of the case. I'd sell them for ultra cheap -- any ideas of a price for a P4 Willamette 1.8 + 2x256 RD ram?

To Ioo, I live in LA. I see poeple throw computers and monitors out all ovre the place because I'm on in a large residential area that is mostly UCLA students. Do you know if LA will allow me to throw the steel case away, or do i have to drive is somewhere?