A-Z Recycling Guide -- Computer Equipment
There is usually a fee to recycle old computers. Computers contain 3-8 pounds of lead and a myriad of other toxic materials that can contaminate the environment when dumped in a landfill or incinerated. Check with the retailer or manufacturer when you purchase new computer equipment. Many are implementing programs to take back old equipment for recycling.
The Basel Action Network provides a list of recyclers who have signed a pledge to provide environmentally and socially responsible electronics recycling. Eco-Cycle strongly encourages you to use recyclers from this list. Go to e-stewards.org/find-a-recycler to locate a recycler in your state. Ask the recycler if there is a drop-off center near you. When considering recycling your electronics, it is always good practice to find out if the equipment is being recycled responsibly.
Eco-Cycle CHaRM (Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials)
6400 Arapahoe Rd. (co-located with ReSource)
Boulder, CO 80303
Phone: (303) 444-6634
Email:
Website: ecocycle.org/charm
Accepted materials: Newer and older computers and related equipment such as scanners, fax machines, VCRs, monitors and printers. Computers and laptops are now accepted at the CHaRM free of charge. Units are disassembled with all the various parts recycled or reused. Vehicles that come to CHaRM are charged a $3 facility use fee per visit in addition to any per item fees.
Please visit the CHaRM website for the full list of accepted materials, fees, current hours and more details.
Eco-Cycle's Zero Waste Services (businesses only)
Phone: (303) 444-6634
Email:
Website: www.ecocycle.org/businesses
Services provided: Collection for all traditional recyclables (mixed paper including bagged shredded paper, cardboard, glass and plastic bottles, aluminum and tin cans, scrap metal), hard-to-recycle materials (computers, fax and copier machines, other electronics, plastic bags with a #2 or #4, stretch wrap, #6 white block foam, wooden pallets, textiles, books and paired shoes) and compostables (all food and landscaping waste, uncoated paper products and compostable food service products made from plant materials). Dumpsters, wheeled carts, roll-off boxes, compactors and other collection equipment available. Visit website, call or e-mail for more information. Businesses only.
Network Checker
5763 Arapahoe Ave Unit 0
Boulder, CO 80303
Phone: (303) 444-6389
Website: www.networkchecker.com
Service provided: Network Checker provides recycling of computers and peripherals. They also offer Certificate of Destruction for hard drives. Please contact them directly to schedule a pick up or to learn more about their fees.
Metech Recycling
500 W. 53rd Pl.
Denver, CO 80216
Phone: (720) 377-7700
Website: www.metechrecycling.com
Accepted materials: Televisions and other electronics including computers and peripherals for recycling. Call or visit website to determine acceptability and fees.
Community Computer Connection
14500 E. 33rd Pl.
Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: (303) 407-4054
Website: www.c3-colorado.org
Service provided: Community Computer Connection receives donations from corporations, organizations, and individuals of used computer equipment to be fully refurbished and distributed to qualifying charities and schools for a small administrative fee. Please check website or call for details on what they currently accept.
North American Technology Exchange (NATEX)
Phone: (303) 443-1984
Email:
Website: www.natex.us
Service provided: Recovers computers and sends overseas for reuse. Prefers large quantities from businesses.
Electronics Recyclers International (ERI)
3250 Abilene St.
Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: (800) ERI-DIRECT (374-3473)
Hours: Mon. - Thurs., 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Email:
Website: electronicrecyclers.com/about-us/our-locations/aurora
Service provided: Recycle electronics, light bulbs and batteries. Call for more information.
Accepted materials: electronicrecyclers.com/sustainability/products-we-recycle
Providers' Resource Clearinghouse
14200 E. 35th Pl., Unit 105
Aurora CO 80011
Phone: (303) 962-2270
Fax: (303) 962-2280
Service provided: Takes large and small quantities of household and office furniture, working computers (Pentium I and above), and monitors. Also takes large and small appliances in good working order. Call first. PRC is a non-profit that works with the Jared Polis Foundation.
Recycled Computer Systems
Phone: (303) 651-9159
Service provided: Refurbishes Pentium and higher computer components. Some components are stripped for salvageable parts and materials. Good quality used equipment may be accepted for donation and then sold on consignment or purchased outright. Please call for needs.
Green Girl Recycling
Phone: (303) 442-7535
Email:
Website: greengirlrecycling.com
Service provided: Provides residential and commercial curbside pick-up of hard-to-recycle materials in mountain areas for a fee. Visit website for the full list of accepted materials and more information. Green Girl Recycling brings computers to Eco-Cycle's CHaRM for recycling.
Bizzy B's Recycling
202 Martin St. (Corner of 2nd & Martin)
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: (720) 491-3278
Hours: Tues. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Website: www.bizzybrecycling.com
Service provided: Removes and recycles Freon™ free of charge from freezers, air conditioners and refrigerators that are dropped off. There is no pick-up charge for Longmont residents. Will pick up from Boulder County residents for a fee. Also takes computers, monitors and televisions for a fee.
Flatirons Habitat ReStore
1 Park St.
Broomfield, CO 80020
Phone: (303) 404-2008
Website: www.flatironshabitat.org/#!restore/c1r2u
Accepted materials: Only specific computer equipment. Call or view website for specifications and more information.
MRM
Website: www.mrmrecycling.com/collection_map.htm
Service provided: Most MRM drop-off sites accept all types and brands of consumer electronics for recycling. MRM sites accept Panasonic Sharp and Toshiba brand TVs and consumer electronics such as VCRs and DVDs at no charge. There may be a charge for recycling other brands or products.
Alpha Institute
Contact: Bill MaGuire
Phone: (303) 343-4114
Accepted materials: Functioning computers and working devices only for distribution to local nonprofit organizations and community groups, etc. Pickup arrangements can be made. Call for current needs.
Apple Store
Twenty Ninth St.
1755 29th St
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (720) 479-9451
Website: www.apple.com/retail/twentyninthstreet
FlatIron Crossing
One West Flatiron Crossing Dr.
Broomfield, CO 80021
Phone: (720) 479-0465
Website: www.apple.com/retail/flatironcrossing
Service provided: Purchase any qualifying Apple computer or monitor and receive free recycling of your old computer and monitor - regardless of manufacturer. Apple also accepts old computer equipment via their recycling program in exchange for an Apple Store Gift Card. Visit the following website for more details: www.apple.com/recycling.
Dell Computers
Phone: (800) 449-3355
Website: www.dell.com/recycling
Service provided: Dell will recycle any Dell product free of charge. They also offer a free recycling option for your old equipment when you purchase some Dell products. See their website for details. Dell products can also be recycled for free at any Staples store (http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/about/soul/recycling.html).
Epson
Website: www.epson.com/recycle
Service provided: Epson will recycle Epson products for a fee (which includes shipping).
Hewlett Packard
Phone: (800) 752-0900
Website: www.hp.com/recycle
Service provided: HP's computer hardware recycling service offers consumers and businesses the ability to return any piece of computer electronic hardware from any manufacturer. HP's state-of-the-art processes ensure that your unwanted hardware is reused or recycled in a way that conserves resources and promotes sustainable development. The cost of this service ranges from $13 to $34 per item, which includes shipping. Coupons may be available towards future purchase of equipment.
LG
Website: www.lgrecyclingprogram.com
Service provided: LG offers free recycling at locations throughout the U.S. Check wesbite to find a location near you.
Toshiba
Website: toshiba.eztradein.com/toshiba/
Service provided: The Toshiba Trade-In and Recycling Program provides you with a way to trade-in or recycle used, working, technology products in exchange for a refund by mail. If your item is no longer functioning, or has no trade-in value, it can be recycled for the cost of shipping.
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Serving Boulder and the Surrounding Area
Phone: (800) GOT-JUNK (468-5865); (720) 502-3472 (local)
Email: (inquiries only)
Hours: Mon. - Thurs., 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Fri. - Sat., 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Website: www.1800gotjunk.com
Service provided: Will pick up old furniture, appliances, mattresses, refrigerators, carpet, tires, computers, trash, yard waste, electronics, scrap metal, construction debris, and more. Will NOT pick up liquid chemicals or explosive materials. Car tires are picked up and recycled with local tire stores. Recycles items that can be recycled. Call or visit website to schedule a pick-up.
Project V.E.T.S.
1630 A 30th Street, #256
Boulder, CO 80301
303-819-2501
www.projectvets.org
Accepted Materials: Laptops/computers -- see full list of accepted materials and guidelines at www.projectvets.org/donate-equipment. Veterinary and medical equipment and supplies and computer hardware and software in good-to-excellent working condition. Also accepted: Vet textbooks published within the past 10 years.
