Normally, when we update our laptop, we discard the old one. Surely, you have no idea what to do with it, if you no longer want it and want to throw it away. Well, we are going to explain where can you dispose of your old laptop or even how to give it a second life.
First of all, we recommend that you remove the hard drive for safety. You could format it, but that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of recovering any data it may contain. The best thing is that you remove it and keep it, or destroy it and throw it elsewhere. You should keep in mind that there is a lot of your personal information, among others, photos or access codes.
Where you shouldn’t throw your laptop
It is a common practice, but it is very wrong. Usually, both the laptopsuch as the desktop and other electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets or televisions are throw into the container closest (or next to it). A serious mistake that, if they see you, it can cost you one penalty fee that goes from 200 euros up to 3,000 euros.
But there is more. Laptops, tablets or smartphones have batterieswhich could explode and start a fire. If we have thrown it into the container and this happens, we could face jail terms in addition to having to pay for the damage generated and the displacement of emergency teams.
It is common bad practice to leave computers, televisions and household appliances on public roads next to the containers. We will explain what options you have to avoid fines and legal problems.
Ok, what options do I have then?
All products with electronic circuits, be it a fridge, a television or a laptop, are classified as WEEE. They are Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste, and have a different treatment. They must be taken to specialized points, specifically, a clean point.
Usually, all towns have a clean point or, there is one nearby. Some municipalities even offer the collection of these elements at home. You have to contact them and they will tell you the day and approximate time they come to pick it up. You can use the OCU search engine to find out if there is a clean point in your town.
But there are many other options:
- Ecolec: is a Spanish non-profit foundation that seeks the circular economy. It seeks to give a second chance to this electronic waste, trying to take advantage of it partially or completely.
- Second hand: Another option is to sell it completely second-hand or by pieces on pages like Wallapop or Milanuncios. It is quite common to sell old or broken laptops to use the parts for the repair of other equipment
- NGO: we have the option of donating it to different non-profit organizations that will give them a second life. Some of the most interesting are:
- LABDOO: is a humanitarian social network that collects laptops, tablets and the like, and takes them to underdeveloped regions so that children receive a better education
- New Technologies for Africa (NTA): they recycle computer equipment that is no longer going to be used and send it to Africa. It is sought that cultural entities and educational centers can help in the development and learning of children and adolescents
- Informática abierta: non-profit association that seeks to recycle computers and computer equipment, among others. They collect these products, condition them and deliver them to NGOs and non-profit associations
If you want to see more options, our colleagues at ADSLZone have a list of NGOs and associations that recycle laptops.
