- HOW TO RECYCLE MAC COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE
- HOW TO RECYCLE MAC COMPUTER UPGRADE
- HOW TO RECYCLE MAC COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Most computer manufacturers are now offering take-back recycling, either by partnering with retailers like Best Buy, Goodwill, or Staples, or through a mail-in program. Will the computer manufacturer offer a take-back recycling program? In many cases, the recycler will pick up your electronics at no charge if enough people participate. You can call an e-waste recycler to send a truck, promote the event to your neighboring businesses, and recycle all sorts of electronics at once. But if you have numerous machines, you should ask your office if it can plan a recycling drive. When you have one computer to recycle, a retailer or mail-back program may be most ideal. What should I do if I have a large number of computers to recycle? You’ll likely find your city or county offers computer recycling events at least once a year (usually around Earth Day on April 22). While in many cases the laws cover only computer monitors (including laptops), the good news is that every time a new law is passed, recycling becomes that much easier for residents in that state. Of those, 17 have banned them from landfills. states require you to recycle some forms of electronics. Is throwing away my computer against the law?Īs of 2017, 25 (or half) of U.S. It’s usually cheaper to buy a new computer and recycle the old one. This means you either need to recycle the old computer, or visit a computer repair business and ask for your motherboard to be upgraded so you can run the newest software.
HOW TO RECYCLE MAC COMPUTER SOFTWARE
If you have a PC running Windows Vista (or earlier), you will have a difficult time upgrading to the newer software, and your old software is no longer supported. Upgrading or repairing your technology is definitely an eco-friendly option, but it’s not always available.
HOW TO RECYCLE MAC COMPUTER UPGRADE
Should I try to upgrade my computer instead of recycle? The recycler may need to use a separate process to recycle these. For laptops, you should also remove the battery (if it can be removed) prior to recycling because there are special transportation requirements for lithium-ion batteries. You definitely want to remove any personal data from your computers before recycling. What should I do before recycling computers? Both stores accept desktops and laptops, as well as components like keyboards, mice and speakers. Staples has been recycling computers since 2007, and Best Buy followed suit in 2008. Do any retailers offer computer recycling? R2 (originally R2 Solutions) has been around since 2008, and focuses more on certifying the recycling process and data destruction. There are hundreds of computer recyclers that aren’t e-Stewards or R2 certified, but if you’re wanting to recycle with one of these certified companies, you can find a directory of them at and. The two most common computer recycling certifications for North American recyclers are the Basel Action Network’s (BAN) e-Stewards and Sustainable Electronics Recycling International’s (SERI) R2 Standard. BAN has been certifying recyclers since 2006 to ensure that no electronics are exported overseas. What are the computer recycling certifications I should be asking about? If your area offers bulky waste recycling, computers may be accepted, but it’s a good idea to verify that they’ll be responsibly recycled. It’s highly unlikely that your curbside recycling program accepts computers, even if it collects “scrap metal.” Computers are bulky and made up of multiple materials, so you’ll definitely want to check before putting them in the recycling bin.
Many laptops use lithium-ion batteries, which require special transportation for recycling, so this is especially important if using a manufacturer mail-back program.įind Recycling Guides for Other Materialsįrequent Computer Recycling Questions Can I recycle computers in my curbside recycling program? For a laptop, flip it over and see if you can remove the battery.
HOW TO RECYCLE MAC COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPGRADE
You can likely recycle these parts as well using the same company where you take the machine, but consider reusing them or donating them since they won’t need a software upgrade to work on a new computer. Unplug the computer peripherals (keyboard, speakers, etc.) from your desktop or laptop.You may want to back up important files on an external hard drive. Remove all data from your computer to prevent identity theft.To find one near you, check out our Recycling Locator at the bottom of this page. Before recycling your computer, here are a few preparation steps: The easiest way to make sure your computer is properly recycled is to take it to a local retailer with a computer recycling program. Plus, the inside of your computer contains valuable metals like gold, silver, and platinum that can be recovered and reused. homes for an entire year, according to the EPA. When it comes to recycling laptops, even one makes a big difference - recycling one million laptops saves enough energy to power 3,500 U.S.