For many people out there, it’s not a lack of support for environmental initiatives and charitable organisations that drives them to simply throw away old and unwanted computers, but rather a lack of access to clear information around exactly what they need to do to dispose of such technology both safely and responsibly.
To bridge the gap between what needs to happen and what people are currently doing in terms of computer disposal, we’ve created this informative blog which answers all of the most commonly asked questions around computer donation, refurbishment, and safe recycling and disposal.
What is the correct way to dispose of old computers?
The first and most important question that our clients and customers ask is about the proper method for computer disposal – and that’s where we come in. Here at Computer Aid, we offer a service which makes disposal on your end as simple as sending an unwanted device to us and letting us do the rest. Whether your old computer is suitable for refurbishment and reuse, or destined to be wiped and disposed of, as soon as your device arrives with us you can be sure that it will be dealt with in the most effective way possible.
The optimum solution is to turn your unwanted computer into a donation which will help and serve those in need – with donations making their way to marginalised communities around the world, to schools across the UK, and even to local community groups who need an injection of technology to better their resources and access to support. Whether as part of a corporate partnership or via individual donations, our job is to take unwanted computers from our customers and clients and funnel them into charitable donations – safely disposing of those that don’t make the cut.
What happens to a computer which is thrown away with other waste?
The problems which arise when a computer or tech device is thrown away as waste may start on the landfill site, but the impact is far more widespread. E-waste is one of the growing problems facing our environment, with reports in 2022 stating that only around 17.4% of e-waste is being recycled effectively. What this means is that almost 84% of e-waste is still going into landfill sites, where it breaks down and leaks its hazardous chemicals into the surrounding environment, damaging the surrounding ground and natural habitats.
And that’s not all. As this hazardous waste leaks into the soil, it runs down into waterways where it eventually make their way back into the food chain – bringing the issues of e-waste straight back into our homes and everyday lives.
How can hazardous chemicals be safely removed from devices and computers?
This isn’t something that you can do at home, with specialist equipment required to safely and effectively strip old computers down into their various parts, before disposing of each component in the proper way.
It’s also important to note that safe disposal or recycling of devices isn’t just about the physical components but about what is stored and contained on those devices. While you may think that you’ve wiped a device of all its data and personal information, it is only through a professional service that you can be sure every particle of data has been properly wiped.
How much does it cost to have my old computer recycled effectively?
For you, absolutely nothing! When you partner with an organisation like Computer Aid, your unwanted laptops and computers are treated as a donation, with any devices that are funnelled back into the system for reuse brought back to you in the form of impact reports and statements about the difference they are making to others.
This means that the benefits of donating your device to us don’t end when you hand over your device free of charge – they continue to drive your corporate and social responsibility initiatives.
For more information on how this works, how to safely dispose of your computer with Computer Aid, and how best to benefit from our end-to-end service, get in touch directly.