How to recycle computers, TVs and other electronics

I’m no expert on garbage — just ask my wife. I have trouble remembering the days to set out the regular trash, the recycling bin or the lawn leavings. But I do know when a high-tech garbage crisis is about to hit.

Many of you got a Christmas computer and will be looking to get rid of an old one without any value. With the coming of the digital TV conversion, you may also be considering adding a television to the electronics trash heap.

TECHNOBUDDY

E-mail Bill Husted

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Getting rid of outdated high-tech gear isn’t as simple as putting it out for the trash pickup. Old TVs, monitors and computers are loaded with Earth-unfriendly metals and chemicals. In many cases, trash pickup firms refuse to take such items. Even if you could get away with leaving items like this at the curb, it’s not a good idea. They’ll end up in dumps and could poison the Earth.

So what to do? Let’s run down some easy and sane ways to take out the trash.

Computers

Start by deciding whether you can still use the old computer. I’ve used old PCs for simple tasks that extend their lifetime: Maybe you need a way to look up menus in the kitchen or could use an extra for the kids to do homework. If the old machine has a decent-size hard disk, it can become a digital closet to store backup copies of music, photos and the like.

One reader recently e-mailed to say he uses old computers as a no-worries way to learn PC repair. This is a great use; just be careful to disconnect the power before poking around the innards. (By the way, never do any surgery on a monitor or television. Dangerous and possibly even deadly current often still remains even when they are disconnected.)

No use for the old computer? Consider giving it to a friend or family member, or donate it to a charity. At the end of this column I’ll include links for various outfits that accept old computers. I’ll also give a link to programs that will wipe your hard disk clean. Erasing files or even formatting the hard disk isn’t enough to protect your old e-mails and financial information from prying eyes.

If your computer is headed for a recycler, I recommend you remove the disk and keep it in a desk drawer instead of wiping the disk clean or destroying it with a hammer. It can serve as an emergency backup if something unfortunate should happen to the data on the new machine. Your computer manual — or a downloaded copy — will show you how to find the hard disk. Removal involves undoing a few screws and disconnecting two cables. No soldering or heavy lifting is involved.

Whatever you decide, you must either remove the disk, physically destroy it or use a program to reliably remove all your personal data before the computer leaves your home.

TVs and monitors

Your old analog television may still be useful even after the switch to digital. If you get your programming from cable or satellite, your programming provider will provide a signal the old TV can use for at least another three years. So you can move the old TV to a new location and keep using it at least until then.

Even if you use an antenna or rabbit ears, a simple converter can allow the TV to work past the switchover. The converter is just a small receiver that picks up the new digital signal and converts it to an analog signal your old TV can use. You’ll find a government Web site that offers information about that in the helpful links section.

Old computer monitors can also be used in an emergency. Truth is, if the old monitor is a good one, the only real drawback is size, weight and lack of widescreen. But some aren’t worth keeping, and many of the recycling and disposal outlets I list accept monitors and TVs.

Recycling concerns

Many recycling outlets charge a small fee. Call ahead to check on that, confirm that they accept your items and to make sure they are still operating. It’s no fun to load up the car and then drive to a shuttered business. Also, some environmental groups voice concern about where old gear goes from there. Some donations are sold to countries where the circuitboards and other material are salvaged in ways that creates pollution. You’ll find a link to an article that discusses the issue, and you can ask your recycler directly what will happen to the goods you bring in.

Helpful links

To find a recycling or donation place for electronics in Georgia: http://tinyurl.com/92397z

• Links to national groups: www.recycle.net/computer/cable/index.html

• Environmental worries about some recyclers: tinyurl.com/8ycseh

• Programs that wipe a hard disk clean: www.dban.org/; www.summitcn.com/hdscrub.html

• Government rebate for TV converter boxes: www.dtv2009.gov