Setting up a computer recycling program can be very complicated. Schools, low income families, and public benefit corporations need computers, but if the machine is too old or underpowered it may be more trouble than it is worth. But don't throw that old computer, printer, fax machine in the trash! It's toxic. Here is a collection of links to help you find information on recycling and reuse programs, and potential partners.

Local recyclers may be able to help you dispose of your computer properly. Please contact the computer recyclers listed below. Make sure you ask about fees.

It's not just a case of taking your computer to the local municipal recycling centre though. Disposal of your used Computer hardware should be thought through very carefully. It may be that you need to remove the hard drive and destroy it, destroy disks that you have or even smash up memory sticks, all with a view to ensuring that your data is safe from prying eyes.

Getting the job done right also means ensuring that your conputer ends up being dis-mantled (if it's too old) or re-used if it's still got some life left in it. Simply taking it to a recycling centre, only for the nominated/ supposed specialist to take it away and export it isn't very environmentally friendly. Africa, India and China are rife with computer waste that we've discarded. Not only can data from many of these machines be accessed, but the waste usually ends up in landfill simply becuase theres too much of it and it's too old!

With the current price of metals, your recycler should be able to dismantle the old hardware and sell it on as scrap for a nice profit. If he or she is running a business that can't do this, then it's being done the wrong way.