Ask LH: How Can I Give Away Old PC Parts?

Hey Lifehacker, Just wondering if there are any good Australian institutions that would take old PC parts as donations or for recycling? I’m not interested in DIY re-purposing hacks, I just want this junk out of my house! Thanks, Waste Not Want Not

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Dear WNWN,

There are plenty of recycling plants in Australia that will gladly take your PC components. Some charge a small fee while others provide their services free of charge. Usually you will be required to deliver the parts to a drop-off location, although some e-waste companies do provide a pick up service (these tend to be aimed at business clients and can be quite costly.)

In 2011, the Australian government introduced its own National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme which is funded by the industry. The scheme is run by a collective of e-waste organisations that operate nationwide, including TechCollect, Drop Zone, E-Cycle Solutions and EPSA. Naturally, you’ll need to check each website’s list of services to see if they accept the PC components you want to get rid of.

To find a government-approved recycling plant in your area, head to the “Recycling Near You” website and type in your state and suburb — you’ll then be given a list of the nearest drop-off facilities. If there are no nearby services, contact your council instead: some city councils in Australia have introduced local recycling programs outside the national scheme. They may even arrange collection free of charge.

Many electronics manufacturers run their own recycling programs for existing customers. Check the brand names of your products and do a Google search to see if they accept old, unwanted goods. Some companies even provide incentives, such as loyalty discounts on new products.

On a final note, make sure your storage products are effectively wiped before you hand them over — especially if they used to contain sensitive information. This guide will talk you through the steps.

Cheers
Lifehacker

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