Normally, when we update our laptop, we delete the old one. Surely you don’t know what to do with it if you don’t want it anymore and want to throw it away. Well, let’s explain to you where can you dispose of your old laptop or even how to give it a second life.
First, we recommend removing the hard drive for added security. You can format it, but that does not eliminate the possibility of recovering the data it may contain. The best thing is that you remove it and keep it, or destroy it and throw it somewhere else. You must keep in mind that there is a lot of your personal information, among others, photos or access codes.
Where You Shouldn’t Throw Your Laptop
It’s a common practice, but it’s very wrong. Usually both laptopsuch as the desktop and other electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets or televisions are throw in the container closest (or next to it). A big mistake that, if they see you, it can cost you a MORE which goes from 200 dollars up to 3,000 dollars.
But there is more. Laptops, tablets or smartphones have batterieswhich one could explode and start a fire. If we threw it in the container and it happens, we could face prison sentences in addition to having to pay for the damage caused and the movement of the rescue teams.
It is common bad practice to leave computers, televisions and appliances on public roads next to containers. We’ll explain what options you have to avoid fines and legal issues.
Ok, what options do I have then?
All products containing electronic circuits, whether it is a refrigerator, a television or a laptop computer, are classified as WEEE. These are Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, and have a different treatment. They must be routed to specialized points, including a clean point.
Usually all towns have their own point or there is one nearby. Some municipalities even offer home collection of these items. You must contact them and they will tell you the day and the approximate time when they pick it up. You can use the OCU search engine to find out if there is a clean point in your city.
But there are many other options:
- Ecolec: is a Spanish non-profit foundation that aims for the circular economy. It seeks to give a second chance to this electronic waste, trying to take advantage of it partially or totally.
- Second hand: Another option is to sell it completely used or in parts on pages like Wallapop or Milanuncios. It is quite common to sell old or broken laptops to use the spare parts for repairing other equipment.
- NGO: we have the possibility of donating them to various non-profit organizations which will give them a second life. Some of the most interesting are:
- LABDOO: is a humanitarian social network that collects laptops, tablets and the like, and takes them to underdeveloped regions so that children receive a better education
- New Technologies for Africa (NTA): they recycle computer equipment that will no longer be used and send it to Africa. We seek that cultural entities and educational centers can help the development and learning of children and adolescents
- Informática abierta: non-profit association that seeks to recycle computers and computer equipment, among other things. They collect these products, package them and deliver them to NGOs and non-profit associations
If you want to see more options, our colleagues at ADSLZone have a list of NGOs and associations that recycle laptops.
