Disposing of Your Computer for Joy and Profit
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 04.19.07
There may come a time where you will have an extra computer or two lying around. In fact, that time is probably now, as about 75 percent of used computers are currently stockpiled in storage (read, your basement). What to do, what to do - you don't want to turn them into eWaste. Well, here are two methods that produce good results, let's call them the 'Joy' method and the 'Profit' method.
With the 'Joy' method, you give a gift (which is fun), someone receives one (which is also fun), and you both share the joy of giving the computer an extended life (more fun). One way is to use the 'free' section of Craigslist - just post your equipment, and folks will email you if they want it. The gift getter usually picks up the equipment; it will usually be gone within minutes, no matter what it is. You can also try freecycle as well; their motto is 'changing the world one gift at a time'. Make sure you use your local group, there are a lot of them.
The second method is the 'Profit' method. Reselling used gear is not something people (or companies) often think about, but it can be very lucrative - this guy made 300 thousand dollars selling 10 used Cisco cards. For starters, you can try eBay's rethink program, which specializes in computer equipment, or you can try and sell it yourself on eBay or Craigslist. Reselling used equipment can take more work than you think - you need to take pictures, have a good write up, process the payments, etc. - and is better suited for expensive high-end gear, very new equipment, lighter items (because of shipping), and parts (surprisingly valuable). Since there's probably a few computers hidden in your basement, why not give the planet, others, and yourself a little treat today?
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- How to Go Green: Gadgets
- Better Green Labels Needed to Clear Up Consumer Confusion
- Thanksgiving: So Much to be Thankful For
- Techy Jewlery from Repurposed Computer Gear
One version/vision I like a LOT is www.babeldisc.com. Their use of online resources/storage means computers as slow as windows 95 machines can receive a second life; no hard disk required!
Very cool, albeit niche, concept. Would be a great thing for libraries and schools to use for internet terminals: greatly reduces equipment costs (take donated old crap), administration costs (none).