5 Harmful Mistakes People Make When Getting Rid of Computers
Once upon a time you and your oversize but semireliable laptop computer were inseparable, and you couldn’t imagine getting rid of it. Ever! Sure, it wasn’t as sleek or powerful as newer models, but it was there for you when you needed it, and even when you didn’t. But the years passed, new technology came out (or your workhorse finally croaked), and eventually you faced the harsh reality: It was time to upgrade.
But what do you do with it? Unlike random couches discarded on the side of the road, there are right—and wrong—ways to dispose of computers.
“Computers can contain personal and sensitive information, so it is important to dispose of them properly and in a secure manner,” says Walter Alcorn, vice president of Environmental Affairs and Industry at Consumer Technology Association.
Sure it’s easy to just toss your laptop, desktop, or central processing unit in the trash.