Getting rid of your computer

Don’t let your unwanted computer equipment go to waste

Don’t know what to do with your unwanted computer equipment? It’s too good to waste. Rather than leave it sitting at home taking up space, why not try finding it a new use, or having it recycled?

What is the problem with unwanted computers?

Unwanted computers are adding up. Between 1994 and 2007, more than five million computers were sold . Computer equipment contains valuable resources, such as copper, platinum and gold. If old computers end up in the landfill these resources go to waste. Computer equipment also contains heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury that can pose a serious risk to the environment and to people if they are not disposed of properly. The good news is that between 70 and 90 per cent of the material in a computer (by weight) is potentially recyclable or reuseable.

If your computer equipment still works

If your computer equipment still works and you want to get rid of it, you have the following options:

• Donate it. For example, the Computer Access New Zealand Trust organises the collection, refurbishment and donation of surplus computer equipment to schools and community groups.
• Give it away to someone else to use. There are Freecycle groups operating around New Zealand. You can list unwanted goods to give away – no money changes hands.
• Sell it. Trade Me sells over 200,000 used computers and related components each year. You can also try second-hand shops or Resource Recovery Centres run by your local council.

As a general rule, computer equipment that is more than three to four years old can be difficult to sell. So it’s best to make the decision to sell or donate sooner rather than later, as the equipment will become less useful and less valuable over time.

If your computer equipment no longer works

If your computer equipment no longer works, you have the following options to have it recycled:

• Give it back to the manufacturer. Some computer manufacturers take back computer equipment for recycling, including Dell, Hewlett Packard, Lenovo, Toshiba and IBM. Each company is different – some charge for the service, others only provide the service to corporate customers. Check with the manufacturer of your computer for details.
• Take it to the national eDay for recycling.
• Take it to a recycling and refurbishment company. There are a number of companies that offer this service, some charge for the service, others don’t. You can find a link to a list of companies below. The list is not exhaustive, you may also want to check the Yellow Pages for companies in your area. If there are no drop-off points where you live, some companies offer a pick up service.

Data security and privacy

The security of the data on your computer is very important. Check with your recycler. They may take care of removing the data from your machine for you. You can do this yourself but you will need to buy special software. The Government Communications Security Bureau recommends Blancco products.

How do I know my equipment will be recycled properly?

Due to the lack of full recycling facilities currently available in New Zealand, some components of electronic waste must be sent overseas for recycling and disposal. Other countries often do not have the same environmental or health and safety regulations as New Zealand. So how do you know your equipment is being recycled properly?

New Zealand is a signatory to the Basel Convention, an international agreement that controls the movement of hazardous waste between countries. This includes computer equipment and mobile phones. Companies must have Basel consent to ship electronic waste out of New Zealand. The Basel consent provides assurance that the facilities the waste is being shipped to are able to process the waste in an environmentally sound manner that does not harm human health, or the environment. The Basel consent is issued by the Ministry of Economic Development. Check that your recycling company has Basel consent and ask where your waste will go and how it will be recycled.

If you want to know more about the Basel Convention see:

• The Ministry of Economic Development’s website
• The Basel Convention website

Want to know more about electronic waste and recycling?

• Check out the Ministry for the Environment’s information sheet on computer equipment.
• For more information on the disposal of unwanted electronic and electrical equipment, including batteries, mobile phones and household lamps (light bulbs) check out the Ministry for the Environment’s website.

The following articles from National Geographic also give an overview of the issues:

• Why recycle?
• High Tech Trash

Related links

• What to look for when buying a new computer