Reader Robin Schafer would like to do the right thing with her old computers. She writes:
Isn’t there a recycling program for old Macs that are no longer in donate-able shape?
Increasingly, community recycling programs are making allowances for computers and peripheral devices—recycling the materials within computers, printers, and monitors that can be reused and safely disposing of toxic components such as batteries that can’t be recycled.
To locate a local facility for recycling your old stuff, I suggest that you visit earth911.org. Just enter your zip code in the field provided on the resulting page to view a list of facilities that recycle computer components.
To learn more about what companies and governments are doing to promote recycling of electronic components, check out the Rethink Initiative site. This is a group supported by eBay, Apple, Dell, Gateway, HP, IBM, Ingram Micro, UPS, and the US Postal Service that is exploring ways to safely deal with the world’s mounting e-waste.