With modern technology progressing at such incredible speed, it is easy to acquire boxes of outdated equipment in just a few short years. However expensive these computers, wires, phones etc. may have been at the time, they have become near worthless. So after a few years of stock-piling this junk, how are you to rid yourself of it? You can’t simply throw it out because some components contain lead, mercury, or other toxic chemicals, that, when exposed to the environment, endanger the health and safety of the world and all of its denizens. Instead, Recycle, Reuse, or Donate them!

If you plan to recycle your old computer parts, manufacturers such as Apple, Dell, Epson, and Sony provide recycling programs where your machine is processed, reused or donated. For the most part these companies will process their own products for free but charge for machinery from elsewhere. The parameters for these programs are online, and should be thoroughly researched before commitment. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, offers another recycling program called “Plug-In To eCycling” that works with manufacturers to ensure healthy recycling of outdated technology. Visit www.earth911.com , the EPAs website, for details of this program.

If your computer is still recent (say no more than 5 years old) it could still be useful, and should be donated to those who cannot afford the luxury of a computer. There are a number of donation programs as well: TechSoup ( www.techsoup.org ), and the National Cristina Foundation ( www.cristina.org ) to name a few. Also, some products may still have useful parts, such as batteries and wires that are still compatible with current machines. An example of this is a mouse that is plugged into a USB port.

Just a reminder, before undertaking the disposal of your components, especially hard drives, you should consider deleting all of the personal data on them. You wouldn’t want any sensitive information to end up in the wrong hands.

Regardless of which of the above methods you use to dispose of your piles of technological junk, remember that it is important to not throw away any of these items. It is both harmful and wasteful. Instead, dispose of the old computer parts in an environmentally healthy way, and help those less fortunate than yourself. As the old proverb goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.