Recycling and/or Disposing Of Old Computer Equipment

Article ID = 67
Article Title = Recycling and/or Disposing Of Old Computer Equipment
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 12 January 2012
Article Last Updated = 24 October 2012 14:29
Article URL = http://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?67

Article Brief Description:
A guide to recycling and/or disposing of your old computer equipment including Apple Macs, iPhones, iPods, iPads

Recycling and/or Disposing Of Old Computer Equipment

Types of IT product that you can recycle in the United Kingdom:

Paper
Optical discs including CDs and DVDs
Computer equipment including Apple Macs/iPods/iPads/iPhones
Batteries
Mobile Phones including Apple iPhones

Paper

Pretty much all paper and cardboard is now collected at the doorstep in the UK or at local/community recycling centres. Check exactly what can be recycled. You might want to consider shredding (sensitive) documents before recycling them.
Find your nearest recycling location

Optical discs

There is only one primary company in the UK (Polymer Recycling Ltd) that will recycle optical discs. They are happy to accept postal/courier deliveries of unwanted CDs (CDRs), DVDs (DVDRs), whole or cut/shredded, from organisations and members of the public for recycling, provided that postage/delivery is paid by the sender. The address to send them to is:

Polymer Recycling Ltd
Peninsula Business Park
Reeds Lane
Moreton
Wirral
CH46 1DW

Opening hours: Monday - Thursday, 7.00am - 5.00pm.

Computer equipment

Electrical goods for recycling are known as WEEE and there are strict rules for the recycling of WEEE in the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK). Below are some ways of disposing of computer equipment.
NOTE: In all cases you should prepare the equipment before disposing of it:

Computers should have software and/or services de-authorised/deactivated.
Computers should also have any internal storage devices/hard disks securely erased.
iPhones, iPads and iPod touches can be easily factory reset using the Erase All Content and Settings option on the device itself.
iPods can be easily factory reset using iTunes.
Apple Airport Express/Base Stations/Time Capsules can be (factory) reset.
Other computing equipment like routers and printers can be (factory) reset - check the manual for the device for more information.

Authorised/Activated Software and/or Services

Apple iTunes related services
Adobe Creative Suite and other products
Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac but not Office 2004 or 2008
Microsoft Windows and other products
QuarkXPress
Enfocus Pitstop Pro
Mathworks MATLAB and Simulink Student Version
Unity Technologies Unity 3D
OnOne Software Perfect Photo Suite and other products

NOTE: If you know of any other Macintosh software that requires activation please contact us.

Passing a Mac computer on

Why not pass on the old equipment to a family member or friend? Just remember to:

First backup some/all of the data or clone the hard disk as required.
De-authorise/deactivate any software/services on the computer.
Securely erase the hard disk.
Install the Mac OS X version of choice.

Passing an iPhone/iPad/iPod touch on

Why not pass on the old equipment to a family member or friend? Just remember to:

First backup some/all of the data on the device either to iTunes or iCloud.
Factory reset the device using the Erase All Content and Settings option.

Reuse and repurpose

You may be able to reuse/repurpose an old Mac computer as a

Donate it

Charities and local educational institutions may be able to make use of your equipment.
IT For Charities - resource guide for UK charities and not-for-profit organisations
IT Schools For Africa
Computers For Africa
CITC Wales - Welsh recycling programme for IT equipment
Donate A PC - free 'matchmaking' service for individuals and organisations to donate un-needed hardware

Recycle it

Dispose of it properly and using some schemes like Apple's "Reuse and Recycle" you may even get some money for it!
Apple's Recycling Programmes
Find your nearest recycling location

Batteries

All types of batteries can usually be recycled and where possible you should always recycle batteries rather than throw them in the bin as they all contain highly toxic chemicals! However, different types of batteries may require different recycling so always check where you are recycling them.
You can recycle Apple laptop batteries at any official Apple retail store.
Find your nearest recycling location

Mobile Phones including Apple iPhones

All mobile phones can easily be recycled and some will even get you money back or money off a future purchase. iPhones can be easily factory reset using the Erase All Content and Settings option on the device itself.
Apple's Recycling Programmes
O2 UK's recycling programme
Orange UK's recycling programme
UK mobile phone recycling comparison site
Find your nearest recycling location

Useful Web Sites for Recycling in the United Kingdom

Recycle Now
Recycle More
Find your nearest recycling location
Freecycle
Apple's Recycling Programmes

Article Keywords: recycle recycling how to where united kingdom uk dispose disposal disposing Macintosh

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