Old computers should not be put in the trash. Computers contain lead and other potentially hazardous materials which may harm our environment or pose a risk to public health. They also contain metal, plastic, and other components which can be recycled.
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.
The Texas House and Senate have both passed an identical version of a bill that would require computer companies doing business in the state to provide free recycling services for those machines. The bill might sounds like bad news for business, but it was actually backed by both Dell and HP. This bill does not come into force unit 2008. We wonder how it affects businesses recycling computers.
As part of any computer recycling service, your chosen partner should offer the following services:
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Compliance with relevant local/ state and central government/ congressional requirements and legislation
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Data Destruction for hard drives to US government/ Canadian/ Australian standards
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Asset tracking for all obsolete/ faulty computer hardware. You need to know where your computers end up.
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Non export of your used computer equipment. Recycling should not mean illegal dumping or export to developing countries. (in compliance with the Basel Action Network)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has embraced an Extended Product Responsibility approach to the environmentally friendly disposition of these products. The EPA instituted the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) in 1994 to seek "...cleaner, cheaper, and smarter" solutions to the environmental issues concerning used computers and electronics.
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