Computer Studios

If you have recently invested in a new laptop or tower computer, you may be looking for a way to offload your old one. Be sure to clean off your personal information or you may be handing out your company or personal information to thieves.

Startling facts about e-waste.

Consumer Reports reveals that 3 in 10 consumers replaced their computer in 2007. Nearly 2 in 10 consumers that disposed of a desktop computer or monitor threw them in the trash. According to the New York Times, approximately 1.8 million tons of discarded computers, printers, cell phones and other electronics wound up in landfills in 2007. That is a lot of e-waste!

So, if you have unwanted electronics or e-waste, please consider donating it to a good cause, selling it to someone who can reuse it, or recycle your e-waste.

Donate, sell or recycle your old computer, but keep your data and identity safe.
Deleting files and information just isn’t enough these days. Your computer holds on to deleted data so it can be recovered if necessary. So, how can you be sure your information is properly removed from your computer before you get rid of it? Use a program that is designed to overwrite the hard drive on your computer to wipe it clean.

Removing the files yourself using disk-cleaning software is not too difficult. Many free cleaning utilities are available to download online for free such as Active Kill Disk, Disk Cleaner, or even Sure Delete. If this is just too much work, you can always send your used computer or other devices to a refurbishing company that will wipe the devices clean and donate them to a worthy cause for you.

Beware… printers can also hold critical data that criminals love!  Did you know that many printers save data on a hard drive, and that data can be reused when plugged into a computer? Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if the printer even works. The hard drive may be unharmed and useful in the hands of a criminal. Just like a computer, your printer can be used for identity theft. There are software programs that can overwrite the data if you feel strongly about donating or selling your printer. However, destroying the hard drive is the only 100% guaranteed way of keeping your data safe.

Prepare your cell phone before handing it off…  If you are selling, donating or recycling your cell phone, don’t forget to delete your personal and company data first. A cellular device is much like a printer it holds traces of the information so it can be restored if necessary even if the phone is broken.

If you are planning to upgrade to a new phone or just have an old one taking up space in your desk drawer, see your cell phone manual or wireless provider’s website for details regarding permanent information deletion. Don’t forget to remove your SIM and memory cards too before donating a cellular device.

Ready to donate? Determine if your device can be reused.  A good rule of thumb to follow is, if you have a computer or device that is less than five years old it can usually be repurposed. The chances are very good that a non-profit or charitable agency could reuse your unwanted electronics to train individuals who are new users or even use your device within the organization.

Tips for donating unwanted electronics to a good cause.  Donating your devices to a local charity or a community group can have a great impact on others. Be sure to call the group you have in mind first to be sure they have a need for the equipment you intend to donate.

If you cannot find a local organization, try searching for an agency that fits your interests online. Remember to check the agency’s policy regarding data on the devices to ensure proper handling of your critical information. Here are a few safe non-profit organizations to consider:

Christina
Accepts computer donations to reuse the technology to support training and greater independence for disabled individuals and other people in need.

PC For Schools
A non-profit organization that refurbishes donated Pentium PC’s and late model Macintoshes, then distributes them to needy schools.

World Computer Exchange
A global education and environmental non-profit that helps connect youth in 67 developing countries to the skills, opportunities, and understanding of the Internet while keeping working computers out of landfills.

Selling unwanted electronics can be a win-win too!  Not only can you clear out devices that have been cluttering your home or workspace, but you can make a few bucks in the process. A great way to sell unwanted electronics is to include them in a garage sale or post them on your favorite classifieds website like CraigsList.org or ClassifiedAds.com.

If you have a little extra money to invest, look into upgrading your device before putting it up for sale. You may be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your devices will sell with current software or programs and how much more you can earn with such a minimal investment.

Recycling locations in your area are easy to find!  Now you can find e-waste recycling locations quickly with Earth911.com. This website holds information for over 117,000 locations and programs for more than 240 materials, and that is just the beginning of their service. Earth911 is also geared toward education, teaching visitors why they should recycle, on top of how and where. If you’re short on time, call for information and locations near you:

Earth911  •  1-800-CLEANUP

Or visit Earth911.com and download their FREE iRecycle application for your iPhone and start recycling today!

Recycling improves the health of our planet.  So, let’s work together to keep our planet green! It is up to us to reduce the amount of waste piling up in our landfills. Take a look at the Recycling 101 section on Earth 911.com today to learn more. You will be amazed at how many items can be recycled. You just have to learn how and where. Go GREEN!