The technology sector is at odds with the environment. Computers and other electronic devices require a tremendous amount of resources to be created and to keep them powered on. In addition, their life-span is relatively short. At Parachute, we make strive to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. We repurpose, refurbish, and recycle whenever possible. Below is a list of links and suggestions to help keep your e-waste out of the garbage dump.

Repurpose and Reuse
Finding a way to reuse a computer or a piece of electronic equipment is almost always better than recycling it. Below are links to websites illustrating many creative ways to repurpose older computers.

25 Uses for your old PC - "If you've replaced your old computer, don't just throw it away. There are some great things it could do. Read on for a few ideas."
Uses for your Old PC - One long page with lots of ideas
Old Mac, new tricks - There are plenty of good ways to use a spare Mac
Make: re-use, re-purpose, and create

Refurbish
Spruce up an older PC or Mac with additional ram, a faster, larger hard drive, or a new video card. This is one way to get more life out of your investment with minimal cost and without dumping it into the garbage. Parachute can help you decide if a computer is worth upgrading, where to purchase components, and caninstall them for you. When you decide to upgrade, we can help you move your data from the old computer to the new computer, and securely delete your old hard drive, and reuse, repurpose or safely recycle your old machine.

Donate
Donating old computers and electronics is a great way to reduce ewaste, but be smart about what you donate. Only donate working equipmen! Please do not give a school a computer that doesn't work, or a printer that jams all of the time, or monitor that flickers incessantly. They need decent working equipment. The same goes for Goodwill, the Salvation Army, etc. Make sure the equipment that you donate is in working condition. Otherwise, find a way to recycle it.

Craigslist SF - Give it away on the free stuff pages at Craigslist.org SF
Craigslist Marin - Give it away on on the free stuff pages at Craigslist.org North Bay
Freecycle SF - Reduce waste by connecting individuals who are throwing away goods with others who are seeking them.
Freecycle Marin - Got stuff you no longer use that's still useful and might be of use to another? Then MarinFreecycle is for you.
Goodwill stores in the Bay Area
Goodwill tips for donating a computer
"Donate an Old Computer" - article from Help2Go

Erase Your Hard Drive, Thumb Drive, External Drive, Memory Card
The first thing we do to a computer that we take from a client site is securely erase the hard drive, over-writing the contents of the hard drive at least seven times. This ensures that your personal, financial, and other sensitive data will not be recovered by the next user of the computer. Even though you have dragged your files and folders to the trash (and emptied it), that doesn't mean the files have been completely deleted. This also applies to any sort of removable drive, such as flash drives and camera memory cards.

If you have a large volume of computers that need to be recycled, we can work with our partner, HMR Group. They will certify your drives are deleted and repurpose and recycle your computer hardware in an environmentally-friendly way.

If you would prefer to wipe your hard drive yourself, check out these links....
Goodwill's tips for wiping the hard drive of your PC or Mac
PC World Video "how to completely erase a hard drive"
Cnet's DIY guide to wiping your hard drive
Wipe your Mac's Hard Drive using the OS X Installer CD
Eraser - file and hard drive eraser for Windows ($0)
Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) - a self-contained boot floppy, CD, or USB Flash drive that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. ($0)
Wipe your Hard Drive with WipeDrive - This is a $40 commercial product for Windows that includes a bootable CD, for those who don't want to do it themselves, but don't the desire or knowledge to build their own bootable disk.

General Recycling Info
Check your local newspaper for various recycling events in your area. This is a great way to unload a lot of equipment at once. Ask if they are repairing or e-cycling the equipment. Don't give them working equipment if they are only e-cycling.
Alameda County Computer Resource Center (ACCRC) - Located in Berkeley, this non-profit takes just about any electronics and most of it for free. Check the fees pages. They also refurbish computers that are salvageable and give them away to the needy.
Staples will recycle any manufacturers’ products, regardless of whether or not it was purchased from Staples, and there’s no limit on the quantity of equipment that can be recycled. (Some fees for large equipment.)
Earth911.org - a great resource for recycling
HMR Group - A Parachute partner. "Whether you have surplus inventory, obsolete equipment or electronic waste (e-waste), HMR can provide customized solutions to meet your needs. HMR Group has over 20 years experience in providing electronic disposal solutions."
Junk General Co. - "the San Francisco Bay areas most responsible junk removal service."
How do I recycle anything? - Article from lime.com with links to recycle just about anything.
eRecycle.org - Where can I find a recycler?

Recycle Computers
HP Trade-in Program - If you have old HP equipment and plan to buy some new HP gear, check here.
Dell Recycling -
Apple's Recycling Program - Purchase any qualifying Apple computer or monitor and receive free recycling of your old computer and monitor — regardless of manufacturer.

Recycle Batteries
What happens to batteries when they are "recycled"? Read more...
call2recycle - recycle your used portable rechargeable batteries found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys.
Radioshack - They accept all standard batteries
Wallgreens - Some stores accept regular and rechargeable batteries of most types
Whole Foods Market - Bring your obsolete batteries and cell phones to customer service for safe and environmentally safe recycling through E-Cycle Environmental.
Apple - Rechargeable laptop or ipod batteries can be recycled at any Apple retail location in the U.S.
AT&T/Cingular - Consumers are invited to bring unwanted wireless phones, Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), accessories and batteries (regardless of the manufacturer or carrier) to AT&T operated stores and participating authorized dealer stores.

Recycle Used Ink Cartridges and Laser Printer Toner
Recycle First - Ink jet cartridges - list of free recycling containers that they will send to you, so you can put your cartridges in the mail; free shipping
Recycle First - Laser printer toner - list of free recycling containers that they will send to you, so you can put your cartridges in the mail; free shipping.
InkRecyclers.com - Our company's mission is to recycle these used and often discarded ink and toner cartridges and reward you for your efforts.

FedEx Kinko's - Simply return your printer Inkjet and Toner cartridges to a FedEx Kinko's retail branch and they will take care of the recycling for you.

Staples - Simply return your printer Inkjet and Toner cartridges to a Staples retail branch and they will take care of the recycling for you.

Recycle Printers
HP (Hewlett Packard) - HP's simple and environmentally sound take-back program is your best bet. Return any piece of computing hardware from any manufacturer, including printers to Hewlett Packard who will recycle your old items for you.
Epson Recycling Program - Send back your used Epson products including: Printers, Scanners, Projectors, and more.

Recycle Cell Phones
Verizon Wireless - The long-running HopeLine program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished or recycled. They also take cell phone batteries.
call2recycle - recycle your old cell phones.
Wirefly - Get Cash for your used cell phone (run by cellphonetradeins.com)
Apple - They take any cell phone and any ipod. Request pre-paid mailer.
AT&T/Cingular - Consumers are invited to bring unwanted wireless phones, Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), accessories and batteries (regardless of the manufacturer or carrier) to AT&T operated stores and participating authorized dealer stores.
T-Mobile will accept all wireless phones, batteries, PDAs, and accessories. Drop off your phone at a store, or mail it in using this printable label .
TheGreenGuide's tips on recycling cell phones
Recycle First - list of free recycling containers for your cell phone
Whole Foods Market - Bring your obsolete batteries and cell phones to customer service for safe and environmentally safe recycling through E-Cycle Environmental.
Charitable Recycling Program - print this page and send your phone to them for free.

Medical & Dental Hazardous Waste Disposal
Recycle First Waste Disposal Kits - various types and size; these are not free.