How to dispose of computers after e-Day

The safest way to dispose of old computer equipment is to reuse or recycle it.

Reusing your computer equipment

Repair or upgrade

It's better to repair or upgrade your equipment, rather than replace it with something new. It's usually cheaper too. Some computers can be upgraded by replacing a single component instead of the entire unit. For example, a slow-running computer may just need some more memory or its capacity boosted by a larger hard drive.

Donate or sell

If your computer hasn't reached the end of its life, you could donate or sell it.

Items in good condition can be donated to genuine charities through www.donatenz.com or sold on www.trademe.co.nz

Before donating or selling:

• make sure equipment is in good working order and reusable – don't pass on your waste disposal problem to someone else
• make the decision to sell or donate sooner rather than later – leaving equipment in storage depletes its reuse value
• remove all data from disk drives using security wipe software.

Recycling your computer equipment

Dell offers free recycling of its own PCs for consumers and free recycling of any brand with a Dell purchase in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Other options for recycling computer equipment in New Zealand are limited, but it's worthwhile asking your computer supplier or retailer if they have a recycling scheme in place. The greater the demand for recycling schemes, the greater the likelihood of them being implemented. Also ask your supplier if they take back used packaging.

Recycling your toner and inkjet cartridges

You can help reduce the impact of cartridges on the environment by making simple changes when buying, using and disposing of cartridges.

• Ask for cartridges with eco-labels such as Environmental Choice.
• Print draft documents with your printer set to economy mode.
• Choose a printer that requires replacement of toner only.
• Send used cartridges to a recycling programme. Take-back systems are offered through major supply companies, and some of the major office equipment suppliers and specialist refurbished cartridge companies.
• When possible, choose remanufactured cartridges with a performance guarantee.