Myriad options exist to re-make, re-use, recycle, or dispose of computers, monitors, printers, keyboards, mice, etc. After exhausting family, friends, schools, and your favorite non-profit organizations for donation possibilities, searching the internet provides a staggering array of choices and recycling programs.

Preparing the Computer for Recycling

Before disposing of any computer, remove all personal information from the hard drive. It is NOT safe enough to merely delete the files — a knowledgeable computer user can retrieve deleted information. A file shredder program is the safest option for electronically "shredding" the personal information. Hiring a professional (The Computor Tutor - shameless plug) is the most secure method to properly prepare a computer for donation or disposal.

Another option is to remove the hard drive (the unit inside the computer that stores all information) and dismantle it, rendering it useless.

Re-make and Re-use

The Computor Tutor can "re-make" some computers for re-use (adoption). The re-made computer is then donated to a new home. Between 2008 - 2010, the Computor Tutor re-made and donated fourteen computers, both laptops and desktops. The computer is useful, the adoptive people happy, and the landfill has one less item to contend with.