Computers become outdated almost as fast as new cars depreciate when you drive them off the lot. So, what do you do with technology when it is past its prime? You recycle it.
Starting Jan. 29 and running through the end of February, Hurt-Battelle Memorial Library in West Jefferson is sponsoring a computer recycling drive for keyboards, CPU towers, monitors and related equipment. The public is invited to place outdated hardware in a trailer located in the library’s parking lot anytime during the drop-off period at no charge.
“People have a lot of computer stuff they’d like to get rid of and they can bring it to the library to recycle,” said Assistant Library Director Cheryl Dreher. “The trailer has box-like openings and is unloaded when it fills up. Ohio Computer Recycling will wipe the drive clean, salvage as much of the components as possible, and recycle whatever they can.
“According to the weight of what is donated, we will get some benefit from the recycling drive, which is especially good for the library because of our budget. It helps the environment by keeping stuff out of the landfill; it helps people by providing a place to recycle their computer; and it helps the library with a little revenue.”
Chris Weber, chairman and CEO of Ohio Computer Recycling, said all hard drives are destroyed and, if possible, old computers are refurbished and put back into service. Plastic and metal components are recycled, and nothing ends up in the landfill.
“We put it back into circulation,” said Weber. “We accept computer and electronic equipment for recycling, but we don’t take televisions. Anyone can bring their equipment to the library, but we would prefer companies to call us and let us know they’re donating equipment, which we can also pick up for a small fee.”
Weber said the recycling drive also should be considered a fundraiser for the library, but is dependent on the weight of used equipment turned in at the site at 270 Lilly Chapel Rd. in West Jefferson.
Examples of computer and electronic equipment accepted for recycling include: computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, faxes, copiers, cell phones, scanners, cables and wires, VCRs, DVD players, CD and DVD media, floppy disks, phone equipment, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, PDAs, video game systems and games.
For more information about the recycling drive, contact the library at 614-879-8448 or Ohio Computer Recycling at 614-856-3204. A detailed list of acceptable equipment and additional company drop-off sites is available online at www.ohiodropoff.com.
