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Don't let this happen!
Where to donate and recycle old computer equipment
Disposal of electronic equipment such as older computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, etc., is becoming a larger problem every day. It is increasingly common that you may have to pay to properly dispose of many types of older equipment. The non profit organizations listed below are primarily interested in receiving equipment that they can either use or resell, and are not interested in receiving equipment that they themselves will just have to pay to dispose of.
Many states have passed laws that prohibit the dumping of items such as monitors, computers and printers, and are requiring that these items be properly disposed of. If you cannot find a non profit organization that will accept your equipment at no charge, we encourage you to contact a recycling center, such as the ones listed at the bottom of this page, to properly dispose of your equipment.
Also, watch your local news for special electronics recycling days that are now being held in many cites, where you can dispose of smaller amounts of equipment at no charge.
Have a used cell phone to sell or donate? Take a look at UsedPhone.com.
Valuing your donation
If you want to get an idea of the value of your old equipment for tax purposes, you can search eBay or other auction sites for the model of the equipment you are donating, and be sure to look at closed auctions, too.
If you want to document the value of your donation for the IRS or other authorities, you can get an instant online appraisal from the industry standard Computer Blue Book for $3.99. If you need to appraise more than a few models of equipment, call 619 850-8343 for quantity pricing for online appraisals.
Non profit organizations accepting donations
The following non profit organizations are dedicated to recycling computers, office equipment, and other technology related items. Each organization has a different emphasis and process of donation, so look at these listings to see which one is most appropriate for the equipment you would like to donate or recycle.
National Cristina Foundation
The National Cristina Foundation (NCF) maintains a database of pre-screened charitable organizations that can use certain types of computer and other business equipment for training and educational purposes.
When you contact NCF with equipment you want to donate, they will check their database to see who can use it. When they find a match, they will tell you where to ship the equipment.
Donors do have to pay shipping, but NCF is qualified with the IRS to give
you special tax deductions for the equipment you donate. These tax
deductions may total more than the cost of your equipment. NCF will attempt
to place equipment that is up to 10 years old. Equipment older than that
will generally be directed to recycling facilities.
NCF can accept large and small donations, down to a single piece of
equipment, and requires that you fill out a form describing the equipment you would
like to donate, and then return the form to them.
NCF was founded by D. Bruce McMahan, Ph.D. and Yvette Marin, Ph.D. after
Dr. McMahan donated a computer to his daughter Cristina's special education
class. Cristina, who has cerebral palsy, has motor and learning
difficulties. The computer made such a difference to Cristina and other
students in her class that Dr. McMahan and Dr. Marrin decided to bring this
technology to the people who need it on a much wider scale.
Here is how you can contact the National Cristina Foundation:
Call 800-CRISTINA (1-800-274-7846)
Call directly to (203) 967-8000, or fax to (203) 406-9725.
Web site: www.cristina.org
Mail: National Cristina Foundation, 181 Harbor Drive, Stamford, CT 06902-7474.
Gifts In Kind America
Gifts In Kind America (GIKA) is very similar to the National Cristina Foundation (see above), except that GIKA
accepts all types of commodities, and does not restrict itself to just
computer and office equipment. It offers the same tax benefits, and can
accept large and small quantites.
Here is how you can contact the Gifts In Kind America:
Call directly to (703) 836-2121, or fax to (703) 549-1481.
Email: ProductDonations@GiftsInKind.org.
Web site: www.GiftsInKind.org
Mail: 333 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314.
Return to UsedComputer.com,
the online marketplace for used computer equipment.
Educational Assistance Ltd.
Educational Assistance Ltd. (EAL) only accepts donations of newer computers and excess inventory from corporations nationwide. Their priority is to exchange these goods for scholarships within a national network of accredited colleges and universities. All scholarships are designated for students with severe financial need. Founded in 1982, EAL is a tax exempt [IRS 501 (c) (3)] nonprofit organization that is qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions.
There are no fees for EAL's services, and EAL coordinates the entire donation process. You can free warehouse space quickly and easily, and EAL provides a donation receipt for tax purposes. You get a single shipping address for your entire donation, EAL will follow your guidelines when determining where your donation will be placed, and scholarships can be awarded in your company name.
Here is how you can contact EAL:
Call directly to (630) 690-0010, or fax to (630) 690-0565.
Send email to info@ealworks.org.
Web site: Educational Assistance Ltd..
Mail to PO Box 3021, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60138.
Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Industries is about people working. The organization is one of the world's largest nonprofit providers of employment and training services for people with disabilities and other disadvantaging conditions such as welfare dependency, illiteracy, criminal history and homelessness.
To fund its programs, Goodwill collects donated clothing and household goods and then sells these items in more than 1,500 retail stores throughout North America and beyond. Goodwill also raises money by providing contract services to community-based businesses. Nearly 83% of revenues are channeled into job training/placement programs and other critical community services.
The Goodwill network extends to virtually every corner of the U.S. and Canada, with 187 autonomous member organizations in North America. It also has 54 international associate members in 37 countries.
In addition, Goodwill Industries of Southern California has established its Computer Recycling Services, which specializes in collecting, refurbishing, and selling used computer equipment. They can work with smaller companies, as well as organizations that are upgrading and need to get rid of larger quantities of older computers. So far, this is only offered in the Los Angeles area, but check with your local Goodwill to see how they can help you when you upgrade computer equipment.
The Goodwill Industries web site at www.goodwill.org will give you more information.
Computers for Schools
This Chicago based non-profit organization has affiliates in 34 states that refurbish donated Pentium PC's and late model Macintoshes, then distribute them to needy schools.
To find out whether your equipment qualifies and how to make a tax deductible donation, or to receive more information on how the program works, visit www.pcsforschools.org, or call 800 939-6000.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
This organization will accept many types of computer equipment in working condition. Go to www.salvationarmyusa.org to find the location nearest you, and to see if they can accept the type of equipment you would like to donate.
World Computer Exchange
World Computer Exchange (WCE) is a non-profit dedicated to helping the world's poorest youth bridge the disturbing global divides in information, technology and understanding. WCE does this by keeping donated PC, Mac, and Laptop computers out of landfills and giving them new life connecting youth in developing countries to the Internet. The computers and networking gear connect schools in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to tech-savvy sister-schools for cultural exchanges to deepen understanding of technology and of their cultures and histories.
From companies, we seek to leverage in-kind donations of computer and networking gear, other in-kind services, and volunteers. From universities and high schools, we seek students from their community service programs to help in our work and to visit and train local youth in technology in exchange for learning about local history and culture. We also seek tech-savvy K-12 sister-schools for these schools that are so new to technology
For more information, visit www.worldcomputerexchange.org.
How to Donate, Reuse, or Recycle Your Old Computer Equipment
The National Safety Council has assembled a good resource for finding out the best way donate, recycle, or re-use computer and electronic equipment that is no longer needed.
Return to UsedComputer.com,
the online marketplace for used computer equipment.
Where to recycle old electronic equipment
UsedPhone.com - UsedPhone.com lists organizations and businesses that buy, take trade-ins, or accept donations of used cell phones, and use the equipment for charitable or recycling purposes. Some of organizations will organize donation events for fund raising purposes.
Electronic Industries Alliance - The Consumer Education Initiative (CEI) is a program developed by the Environmental Issues Council of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Its purpose is to inform consumers about nationwide recycling and reuse opportunities for used electronics.
ElectronicsRecycling.net - This web site offers a wealth of electronics recycling information representing nationwide industry work groups (e.g., collection, demanufacturing, refurbishment/resell, research, recycling). It also provides guidance to households and organizations for promoting recycling efforts.
San Fransciso Bay Area Computer Recycling & Reuse Directory - At this site, you can find organizations in the San Francicso Bay Area which recycle old equipment, sorted by city, zip code, and types of equipment accepted.
Computer Recycling Center™ - Computers & Education "Computer Recycling Center" (CRC) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Founded in 1991 it is the largest in California, and the oldest in the USA, continuously operating full-service collection, reuse, and refurbishment program. Working with businesses and municipalities, CRC's participation in collection and drop-off programs diverted over 6 million pounds of computer equipment from landfills last year. Reuse of entire units is given highest priority, followed by disassembly for reuse of parts, and finally recycling for the elements of unusable remaining items.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board - Well indexed list of organizations throughout California that recycle all types of electronic products, including computers, office equipment, phones, televisions, stereos and other electronic equipment.
Per Scholas provides recycling pickup services within a 100-mile radius of New York City. Their competitive cost structure combined with Per Scholas' policy to accept all units regardless of condition provides New York with a one-vendor turnkey disposal channel.
GreenDisk - Diskette, CD, Media Recycling - Green Disk will recycle diskettes, CD Roms, and videotapes. You will receive a certificate of destruction that guarantees that your media has been destroyed in an environmentally sound and secure manner, and that the intellectual property contained on the disks, CDs or tapes has been destroyed. The cost is 10 cents per pound, plus shipping costs to Oregon. 100% of these proceeds go to non profit institutions that help disabled adults, veterans, and others who need help. Use their convenient shipping form to send your media from anywhere is the United States.
Earth's 911 - Earth's 911 is great resource for nationwide information on recycling all type of items, including computers, cell phones, and other electronic waste. You can also call 1-800-CLEANUP (800 253-2687) to find a recycling location near you.
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