December 3rd, 2008 · No Comments

The office

The world picks up speed. We buy a new computer. We know we should do something with the old one, but that seems complicated. So it gets moved off the desk and put in a box or a corner somewhere to collect dust, USB cords hanging every which way.

This does not have to be its fate. That computer could help teach a child, write a foundation grant or allow a disabled person to connect with the world.

Share the Technology is a 13-year old organization devoted to keeping computers out of landfills and in the hands of people who can use them. Their web site lists half a dozen national organizations that accept computers for reuse and recycling, as well as state organizations and international resources. Computers for Schools, for instance, lists more than 500 places where you can drop off your computer for refurbishment, then offers that refurbished computer to a school for about a third of the price. Also listed are the National Cristina Foundation, Gifts in Kind America, Recycles.org, Tech Soup and The On It Foundation, each offering ways to get that computer back into use.

“One important thing is that we’ve always said it doesn’t matter who refurbishes a computer and donates it to someone in need, as long as it gets done,” says Cranmer of Share the Technology. I’ve never worried personally about who gets the credit as long as the machine is kept out of a landfill and is put back to work for as long as it is useful to someone.”

But don’t wait too long. Do it now, before it gets any older.

“I like to remind people that computers are like ripe fruit,” said Cranmer. “They quickly age and become worthless the longer they are stored after being taken out of service. The time to pass them along to a charity is right after they are retired.”

And Cranmer’s site gives information on how to wipe your hard drive clean, which you must, must do in these days of identity theft. Don’t balk – it isn’t that difficult. But it’s more than just deleting files. There are two articles listed and several software programs that will help.

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