Recycling old laptops

[geoff_hartwell]

Hey Gang,

I have three elderly PC laptops, two old IBM think pads and a Dell, they need to go away.

I'd rather not toss them in a land fill if I can avoid it.

Are there other considerations? For example, should I remove any removable parts and drop the remaining bulk at a recycling location?

Does the Apple store accept stuff like that for recycling?

Many Thanks!

[scottcald]

6 minutes ago, geoff_hartwell said:

Hey Gang,

I have three elderly PC laptops, two old IBM think pads and a Dell, they need to go away.

I'd rather not toss them in a land fill if I can avoid it.

Are there other considerations? For example, should I remove any removable parts and drop the remaining bulk at a recycling location?

Does the Apple store accept stuff like that for recycling?

Many Thanks!

Apple offers recycling but not in-store.  They have a third party handle it.  http://www.apple.com/recycling/

I would remove and destroy the hard drives for the safety of any data that may be lurking.  I think Staples may take full units in store.  

[Carl.B]

Bestbuy offers free recycling too. I think for computers you can drop them off at the Geek squad located in the store.

Bestbuy Recycling

Carl B

[scottcald]

39 minutes ago, Carl.B said:

Bestbuy offers free recycling too. I think for computers you can drop them off at the Geek squad located in the store.

Bestbuy Recycling

Carl B

Cool.  Good to know!  

[tbonesullivan]

Make sure you use DBAN or another program to fully wipe the hard drives before having them recycled.

In my area there are recycling days run by the county, as well as a non-profit that recycles electronics as a way to teach developmentally disabled people useful skills. I usually take my computer waste there.

[prototype-fan]

3 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

Make sure you use DBAN or another program to fully wipe the hard drives before having them recycled.

Would a hammer work?

[tbonesullivan]

20 hours ago, prototype-fan said:

Would a hammer work?

yes, that's known as a "physical hard drive wipe". Fire also works.

[scottcald]

11 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

yes, that's known as a "physical hard drive wipe". Fire also works.

Occasionally I'll give them to folks I know to use for target practice.  No recovery method there.  

[Ting Ho Dung]

On 11/19/2016 at 10:07 AM, tbonesullivan said:

yes, that's known as a "physical hard drive wipe". Fire also works.

A friend of mine uses the ocean.