Lifecycle Of The Ubiquitous Business Partner- the Computer

Erica Jong — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:35:00 GMT

Any of you out there conducting business without a computer? I would imagine there are not too many out there. Computers have become vital instruments for businesses and are usually the first purchase made. Google helps us research, email helps us communicate, accounting software helps us keep track of our precious dollars, and most industries have online presense via websites. My computer is my business partner, my friend, and I do what I can to take good care of her.

As an aspiring sustainable business, the plan is to use her as long as I can. Sure there is the urge to buy the latest and greatest technology out there, but that may not be the best for my business financially and it doesn't comply with my goal to minimize waste. Of course computers do get old and stop working, and of course there are situations where it just doesn't do what you want it to do to be efficient with your time, which for business is money.

So what do you do with your old computer? Throw it away? No....you can actually recycle it, completely!

Here are some ideas:

(1) If it is still functioning, consider donating it to a local charity. There are always folks out there that can refurbish and re-use any old computers. Think schools, community centers, retirement homes, shelters. You can check your local listings.

(2) Give it away for free on www.freecycle.com. List your item(s) for free for local pick-up.

(3) Sell it to help cover the cost of a new computer. You can advertise for free on www.craisglist.org.

(4) Recycle it! Virtually every component of your computer can be recycled. Take it to a recycler that specializes in technology recycling. This is super important!!!! Computers and most electronics contain toxic waste, also known as e-waste. When disposed of improperly, e-waste can leech harmful toxins into our air and ground water. These come from the harsh metals and chemicals found in batteries and CRT monitors (cathode ray tubing which emits electromagnetic fields), for example. There are companies that exist in USA that can re-use and recycle every component, even grind up circuit boards into a re-usable powder. The problem is they are few and far between, leaving many well-intentioned recycling businesses with loads of collected e-waste. So do your part and obtain certification that whoever is taking your electronics for recycling is actually recycling the components safely and properly. Also, advocate for more comprehensive recycling programs locally and nationally.

FYI- because comprehensive e-waste recycling is so limited here in the states, some recycling businesses are shipping our waste to be dumped overseas, sometimes in rural poor communities in China. This is an outrageous practice, so I do urge all you small businesses out there to be active and support recycling our own waste here in the states.

For other creative ideas to give life to your old computer, check out www.verdantcomputing.com. The founder Carl Foner sells eco-friendly computing equipment and shares how you can re-use your computer, like turning it into a DVR!!!

Happy business and take care of your computer!

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Lifecycle Of The Ubiquitous Business Partner- the Computer