Recycle Computer Equipment For Free

Hey friends, back again with another installment detailing both my relocation to Washington County and the incredible lessons learned regarding Goodwill Industries®.

Missed the first two entries? No problem, you can find out about my first interaction with Horizon Goodwill here, then skip over to find out what I wish I knew before trading in my last vehicle.

So, now that you’re all caught up, you recall I accepted an amazing position with an incredible employer right here in Hagerstown—quite literally my dream job! The fly in the ointment, however, was that I still lived with my wife and kids in Pittsburgh. Did I mention what a great person my wife is? She wholeheartedly agreed it was worth relocating the family so I could follow my passion. We both thought, however, it would be best to wait until the end of the school year. The plan was in place; I would commute home on weekends until my family was ready for the big move, which occurred last week.

My dearly beloved is kind of a perfectionist. For example, she had meticulously placed boxes along the left side of the garage, each labeled and ready to go, while directly opposite along the wall were boxes of other “stuff”, destined for a landfill.

“Missy, I realize those computers are old, but they still work! And why are you throwing out my baseball cards?”

From inside the open truck she paused, peering behind neatly stacked boxes in her makeshift real-world game of Tetris. “You can take the cards, but those junky computers are not making the trip!”

“You know, Miss, it’s not very environmentally friendly to put equipment like that out for pick up. I actually think it’s illegal. Nearly everything in there is recyclable. You know that right?”

Keep in mind; she knows that I know, that she knows what is and what isn’t recyclable. She may be the most “green” individual on the planet….well, at least on the East Coast.

“Do you really think I would put those out with the regular garbage? You’re going to have to pay someone to come and get them! That’s your job, not mine. I’m busy making sure everything that needs to go to Maryland is on this truck!”

She gave me the stink eye as I carried my old collection of Dell products to the back of the truck. “Oh, they’re making the trip, and I know exactly where they’re going.” Her eyebrow rose as she looked at me suspiciously. “And, not only will I not have to pay for them to be hauled away, I’m getting us a tax deduction!”

Donate Your Computer Equipment To Goodwill

It’s hard to pique her interest, but I could tell I had her on the hook. “What are you talking about? Help me with this lamp!”

“Remember that conversation we had about Horizon Goodwill and all the services they offer that no one ever thinks about? Well, computer recycling is one of them!”

I proceeded to explain about the Dell Reconnect program, a free consumer-recycling program that allows local residents to bring in any brand of computer equipment, in any condition, and recycle it for free.

Skeptical as ever, Missy asked “What happens to them after they’re dropped off?”

“They get consolidated into one location where Horizon Goodwill staff and program participants prepare them for shipping. Dell picks them up, transfers them to a Dell authorized recycling partner where they’re either refurbished or disposed of according to some very strict environmentally friendly guidelines. I just have to make sure all of our hard drives are wiped clean before turning them in. We don’t want someone reading all those love poems I emailed you throughout the years, right?”

I did it! I made her smile!

“Plus, everyone wins.”

Oh, no! A puzzled look was crossing that adorable face. I was starting to lose her! “Well, as a partner, Dell pays Goodwill to process the computers so they are ready to go to the recycler. These funds help provide paid job training for Goodwill program participants. Win! We get rid of our old computers and get a receipt to claim it on our taxes. Win! Plus, the computers are recycled instead of polluting landfills: Bonus Environment Win!”

I could tell she thought this was a really great idea. “Is it just computers you can recycle?”

Computer Equipment Goodwill Can Recycle

I smiled; I actually knew the answer off the top of my head! I told her the types of items that can be recycled including:

• Monitors
• Scanners
• Mice
• Ink & Toner Cartridges
• Microsoft Zune® (what is that?)
• Computers
• Hard Drives
• Speakers
• Software
• Microsoft Branded Webcams
• Printers
• Keyboards
• Cords & Cables
• Microsoft Xbox®

“I’ll be right back”, she said, as I continued loading the truck. She returned with something behind her back.

“Remember that little mini laptop you bought me for our anniversary last year?”
“The one I spent all that money on that I never see you use? Of course.”

She pulled out the pricey gift, lifting the screen to reveal an enormous spider web crack across the entire monitor.

“I let Kaitlyn use it the day after you gave it to me. But at least someone can benefit from it when we drop it off for recycling, right?” Missy gave me a big, toothy grin, knowing I couldn’t be upset with the actions of my youngest child, nor the fact that my wife decided to hide the crime for so long.

Well played, Missy. Well played.