E-waste has become somewhat of a buzzword, linked with both the technology industry and the conversation around sustainability. With so much noise around what e-waste really is and the damage it can cause to the environment when channelled into harmful landfill sites, it can be difficult for consumers to know the right course of action when it comes to computer disposal.
Both recycling and donating are considered positive actions to take when looking to rid yourself or your business of unused technology and computers. But is one better than the other?
Keep reading for a breakdown on what both options involve, the benefits, and our thoughts on choosing the right method for you.
The benefits of recycling an unwanted computer
When you upgrade devices, what should you do with the unwanted older models?
Recycling is an alternative solution which first and foremost ensures that unwanted and unused devices do not get sent to landfill sites as e-waste. When a computer ends up in landfill, it slowly breaks down and releases harmful and toxic chemicals into the surrounding ground and waterways – causing irreversible damage to habitats and ecosystems, as well as our own food chain.
Recycling involves the stripping of computers and devices into reusable parts – using as much of the device as possible, while sustainably and safely disposing of any components which cannot be reused. Just as you would recycle plastic or an empty can, recycling an unwanted computer ensures that it is handled correctly and by those who can ensure that as much of the device as possible can be reused.
The process of donating a computer and its benefits
When you donate a computer, you can rest assured that your unwanted device is having a positive impact somewhere else. The first step in our donation process sees devices sent to us for processing, data wiping, and any necessary refurbishment, ready for our charitable partnerships located across the UK and overseas.
From there, we match devices up with the charitable organisations and ground workers that we work alongside, bridging the digital divide by providing computers where they are needed most. Sometimes this means sending them to local schools to fill a gap in resources and learning; sometimes they are used to create digital hubs overseas in communities that previously had no access to technology.
Wherever these donated devices go, the benefits include helping to bridge the digital divide, while also breathing new life into a working computer – redirecting it away from landfill and extending its lifespan.
Is one option better than the other?
If you’re a corporation or business looking for a sustainable solution to unwanted computers and devices, then donating your computer boasts more than one benefit. Not only will you ensure that your devices are handled sensitively and sustainably, but you will also receive reports which highlight the positive impact of your donation. This reporting is designed to help corporate donors meet their CSR and ESG goals, as well as communicate their charitable partnerships with customers and clients.
In addition, when you donate your unwanted computers to a program like Computer Aid, we aim to recycle any devices which cannot be donated or reused for whatever reason. What this means is that the two options are often interchangeable, ensuring that no device that we are given ends up in landfill or is treated as e-waste.
Find out more about donating your computer to us, and how we recycle and/or donate devices to partnerships both locally and overseas, by getting in touch directly.