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New Life for Old PCs

Don't turn your aging machine into a doorstop--pass it along to someone who really needs it. You might even get a tax write-off.

Judy Heim

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Resources: Attic Alternatives

Instead of storing your old PC in the attic, donate it, recycle it, or trade it in through one of these organizations.

Donations

National Cristina Foundation: Will put you in touch with a nonprofit in your area.

Computers for Schools Association: Refurbishes PCs and passes them on to schools.

KidSource OnLine: Maintains a database of schools that are looking for PCs.

Gifts in Kind International: Works with corporations to place primarily new equipment in the United States and other countries.

Recycling

National Safety Council Electronic Equipment Recyclers List: State-by-state list of recycling companies.

Electronic Industries Alliance Recycling and Reuse Programs: State-by-state list of recyclers and reuse organizations.

International Association of Electronics Recyclers: Database of companies that recycle electronic equipment.

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation: PC recycling is important, but don't forget about all of those rechargeable batteries from your cell phone, PDA, laptop, and other portable devices. This site will tell you how to recycle all of these.

Vendor Programs

IBM Product Take-Back Program: For $30 IBM will recycle or refurbish whatever equipment you send it--whether from IBM or from other manufacturers. Call 888/746-7426 and ask for product number 06P7513.

Gateway Trade-In Program: Turn in your Gateway system or donate it to charity and get up to $50 off of a new Gateway PC.

Hewlett-Packard Recycling: HP asks for $9 to $30 per component, plus a $4 service charge, to accept your old system--of any brand name--at an HP recycling center.

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