Think Green When Retiring Your Machine
Perhaps you’ve seen it at the grocery store, at the bank, or during the most recent Earth Day celebrations. "Green"--or environmentally friendly--thinking is becoming increasingly common in our daily lives. But how much thought have you given to protecting the environment when it comes to retiring your computer?
Recycling can be for computers, too
E-waste makes up two percent of solid waste in the U.S. and is the fastest-growing segment of our country’s garbage. Did you know that Northwestern University offers a computer eCycling program for University-owned computers?
With growing success, University Services has been providing the environmentally-compliant service since 2004. If your working, University-owned computer is less than five years old, you might be eligible for participation in the Surplus Property Exchange program that provides a forum for the exchange of University-owned equipment for use by other departments and schools.
Here’s how it works: University computers that no longer work or are older than five years are de-manufactured and sold piece by piece throughout the United States. Non-working parts are de-manufactured and resold by commodity such as cable, wire, metal, and plastic throughout the country. Working peripherals including monitors and laser printers are refurbished and resold either in the United States or abroad.
So, instead of placing that clunky monitor in the corner of an empty office, think about contacting University Services to schedule a computer pick-up or take part in the Surplus Property Exchange. Just remember to backup any files you might have stored on the old machine, clear your hard drive of any sensitive data, and review NUIT’s policy on the Disposal of Northwestern University Computers.
To recycle your personal computer, most manufacturers will gladly take any old machine off your hands. University Services has compiled a list of resources for recycling non-University owned computers. The Environmental Protection Agency also offers suggestions and locations to where you can recycle everything from your personal computer to your old cell phone.
How else can I help?
Recycling outdated computers and equipment is only one of the many practices that can reduce the negative impact that daily office habits have on the environment. Stop printing, and turn off the lights! Utilizing electronic documents in lieu of hardcopies and Post-It notes, turning off the lights, and shutting down computers at the end of the work day conserves paper, toner, and electricity. Do your part to keep Northwestern green.
Contact University Services for more information about the University computer recycling program, and refer to NUIT’s Green Computing for more tips.
