SuperScript

Yvonne Adele and alter ego Ms Megabyte battle it out for blog time. Yvonne talks about the never ending quest for work life balance while Mega interrupts constantly with computer tips...

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Your ewaste - technology junk

I've seen an increasing number of big old monitors and huge desktop computers out on the nature strip recently. There's even a spot at the tip for technology waste (some tips will charge $30 to dump there). Aussies have discarded 8.6 million computers you know! We buy 2.4 million new computers a year.

It's a shame, because there are many organisations in Australia dedicated to recycling this stuff and putting it to good use. Imagine a family who can't afford a new computer, a student who doesn't have one at home, a neighbourhood centre without a technology budget. All could benefit from your discarded technology.

An article in the weekend papers reminded me that in Melbourne and Sydney, Dell offer a pickup service for technology waste. For $10 flat fee plus $13 per item (or just $8.50 if you drop to them), they'll come to your door, pickup the 'junk' and recycle it. If it's less than 3 yrs old, you may even make $50 or more. Ph
1800 465 890.

The Choice website has a great list of computer recycling companies all around Australia.