| Computers are now made affordable and more | | | | purchase new units. It would be very helpful if you |
| compact. Most devices being produced nowadays fit | | | | would check first if the computer that you are going |
| into the mobile and fast-paced lifestyle of each | | | | to purchase your new unit from has a certain "give |
| American man or woman. Laptops and other | | | | back" program or initiative so you won't have to deal |
| computers are made more faster, they are also | | | | with the pressure of disposing the unit yourself when |
| made with better capabilities and features, and best | | | | the time comes. |
| of all, they are made way cheaper than old computer | | | | 2. Charities are also good venues for your old |
| who were sold at very high prices. | | | | computers to be still put into use. There are a lot of |
| All these things make upgrading more of a necessity | | | | organizations who would gladly accept your old |
| than a privilege. But during the upgrading process, | | | | computers as long as it is functioning for donation to |
| there is always one question that lingers: what do | | | | various charities nationwide. You just have to erase |
| you do with your old computer? | | | | every data in your hard drive and make sure to wipe |
| There are a handful of states in North America that | | | | it clean because if not, you will be exposing yourself |
| does not allow electronic gadgets to be thrown | | | | in serious danger of identity theft. |
| away into the trash can because these electronics | | | | 3. Common sense will tell you that before you |
| contain toxic components which can be harmful to | | | | dispose of your computer, cell phone and other |
| the environment. You then have to take it to the | | | | electronic devices, you need to take a couple of |
| right place, like a recycling facility, where it can be | | | | steps before they are properly discarded. Foremost, |
| recycled and not simply dumped into other places. | | | | of course, is to delete all pertinent personal |
| Based from very recent statistics, two million tons of | | | | information that are saved in your hard drive like |
| electronic devices are being dumped each year from | | | | username, passwords, credit card information and |
| old computers to handhelds, cell phones, digital | | | | more. All traces of data in your computer should be |
| cameras and more. If you are a "green" advocate, | | | | removed from the drive and you can do so by either |
| this is does not paint a very beautiful picture so here | | | | downloading hard drive wiping software or destroying |
| are some suggestions on what you can do to recycle | | | | the hard drive physically. It is very important that |
| your old computer or at least, dispose of it properly: | | | | hard drives be wiped clean because if you're going to |
| 1. Some equipment manufacturers have taken the | | | | have it donated, it may end up in "skilled hands" |
| initiative to take care of your "electronic disposal | | | | which will then make you very vulnerable to identity |
| dilemma." There are various manufacturers who | | | | theft. |
| would take back your old computer units when you | | | | |