Old pieces of tech shouldn’t just be left out for the binmen. Our guide will help you dispose of unwanted kit the right way
While many of us are getting our PCs and laptops ready for the free Windows 10 upgrade, many will also have ageing PCs around the home which simply won’t make the step up. If you’re unlucky it could be your main laptop that needs replacing, or it might simply be time to finally retire that old PC lingering in the study. Either way, we’ll explain the best way to get rid of old hardware responsibly and safely – whether it’s a PC or something more domestic.
Windows XP and Vista PCs are getting on now, although you may still find a use for them. They could, for instance, be pressed into service as a DIY network-attached storage (NAS) device or as a Plex server that delivers your media to the rest of your networked systems and devices. However, for many this will simply be more hassle than it’s worth, and although we’re keen on such projects you should ensure you have a definite computing need rather than simply a hoarding instinct.
Even Windows 7 PCs that are due the free upgrade may have had their day: the operating system was originally released in 2009, which in tech terms is a lifetime ago. Microsoft has said you’ll only be offered the free Windows 10 upgrade if your system will deliver a ‘great experience’, which means a number of us will be out of luck when it comes to the free upgrade because of slow or incompatible hardware.
Whatever the reason for junking your old kit, read our guide before hurling it in the bin.
Getting rid of PCs
The first priority will be wiping the system so none of your sensitive information is still on the storage disk(s). Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 all make returning your system to its factory default condition a relatively straightforward process, although the steps for each are different.
With Windows Vista and 7 your restore options might be dependent on your PC or laptop manufacturer, as some provide recovery images on a disc or restore partitions on the hard disk. You might find you need your original operating system disc.
Before embarking on a factory restore, be sure to back up any important data first. There’s no going back and recovering it once a factory restore is done. If you do have secondary hard disks installed, be sure to back up and delete anything stored on them manually, as a Windows factory restore will only affect your main system drive. For a desktop PC, consider transplanting your storage disks to a newer system, although usually this is pointless and you’re better off moving the data off the ageing drive.
Here’s how to wipe your PC for each Windows operating system.
Windows Vista
You’ll need to get into the Advanced Boot Options menu as your computer starts up. The easiest way is to immediately start hammering the F8 key as soon as you hit the power button. You’ll be presented with a text menu where you’ll see ‘Repair Your Computer’, which is the option you’re after.
Proceed by selecting your language and entering your Windows Vista username and password. Now select ‘Windows Complete PC Restore’. Choose to use the latest available backup and hit Next. Make sure you tick the ‘Format and repartition disks’ box before clicking Next again.
After it’s done, all your content should be wiped and Windows Vista will run as if it were brand new again.
Windows 7
Open the Control Panel in Windows and select Backup and Restore. Under the Restore section, click on ‘Restore system settings or your computer’. Now you’ll want ‘Advanced Recovery Methods’. Finally, select ‘Reinstall Windows (requires Windows installation disc)’. You’ll be asked if you want to back up anything, but you can skip this if you’ve already backed up your important files. After a restart your computer will be like new.
Windows 8
Windows 8 is simple to restore to its original state. Just go into PC Settings and select ‘Update and recover’. You’ll then need to select Recover from the side menu. One of the options is ‘Remove everything and reinstall Windows’; select this option, click ‘Get started’ and the process of restoring to the PC’s factory default condition will begin.
Data-wiping software
You can also use data-wiping software to completely obliterate the contents of your computer’s hard disk or SSD. If you have sensitive information on your PC then this is probably worthwhile, but be realistic: it’s unlikely someone will haul your PC out of the bin and spend hours sifting through the deleted files on your disc in the hope of gleaning your Amazon password.
Data wiping will also remove the operating system, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re intending to pass the PC or laptop on to someone else to use. If you’re giving it to a family member or friend, it will be worth going through the factory-restore process described above in order to leave them with a working system at the end.
If you have decided to wipe your storage, there are software packages such as DBAN (www.dban.org) that will wipe the contents of a hard disk. If you’re wiping an SSD, it’s advisable to use the software provided by your SSD’s manufacturer to wipe the data safely without damaging the drive.
Don’t bin your computer!
Now you’ve successfully wiped your data, it’s safe to get rid of your old computer. However, the worst thing you could do is consign it to landfill. Not only is this bad for the environment, but there are plenty of ways your dated system can be recycled or found a new home where it can still be appreciated.
Donate it or recycle it
The most obvious way to find a new home for your old PC is to donate it. Most people have a friend or relative who don’t need the latest cutting-edge technology and can still get some joy from an old system, so see if someone else can make use of it.
Otherwise, contact your local council to see if there are any recycling schemes for donated technology. Libraries and schools can often find innovative new uses for old systems, and they can provide useful educational tools. Try www.recyclenow.com/recycling-locator or contact your local council via www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council.
Some local councils run volunteering and training schemes for recycling old technology. These provide valuable hands-on experience for local community members and can be a gateway to employment for those struggling to find work. Repaired products are often sold on to help fund council schemes, so you’ll be doing your part for your local community.
Plenty of charities accept old PCs and laptops and put them to good use, both at home and abroad. Companies such as CfC (www.computersforcharities.org), Computer Aid International (www.computeraid.org) and UK IT Recycling (www.ukitrecycling.com) offer to wipe your data but it’s still worth doing this yourself beforehand for added peace of mind.
Manufacturer recycling schemes are another option. Companies such as Dell, Apple, HP, Sony and Lenovo all offer recycling schemes for their old products. Some firms even accept products from rival brands for recycling, which can be a good way to unload an unwanted old system.
Sell it
There are of course also plenty of avenues for you to recoup some of the original cost of the system if it’s still worth selling. High street stores such as CEX buy old systems, and you can always try to sell your system on an online marketplace such as eBay; and don’t forget the humble car-boot sale.
Some manufacturer recycle schemes will give you store credit for products you recycle, so it’s always worth checking if they have some sort of buy-back scheme when you decide to upgrade. The important thing is not just to throw out your PC or laptop with the rubbish.
Getting rid of other old tech
The same principle applies to disposing of your other items of technology you may have lying around the house, whether they’re large household appliances or smaller items such as cameras or mobile phones: don’t simply throw them out with your household waste to end up in landfill.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is a massive problem, with an estimated two million tonnes of WEEE items and materials discarded each year in the UK. Often these are the types of items that need to be disposed of in a considered manner and not just thrown out.
Since 2007, WEEE regulations have been in place to try to reduce the amount of untreated WEEE items ending up in landfill. Electronics retailers must offer a
way to dispose of old items when they sell you a replacement, so ask when buying (though they may charge for this service). Retailers such as Currys will display a crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on products that should be recycled. Again, it’s worth trying www.recyclenow.com/recycling-locator to find nearby recycling centres.
Mobile phones
It’s not uncommon for people to upgrade their mobile phone every couple of years, depending on their contract. This means you may well have a drawer of old handsets and chargers that are well past their best. Like a PC or laptop, there might be someone you know who’ll be glad to receive an older phone, or you might also be able to sell your handset to stores such as CEX, on eBay, or via sites such as www.compareandrecycle.co.uk.
If your old mobile is really not worth selling or giving away, it might still be very valuable to others. Charities such as Water Aid and Oxfam can benefit monetarily from every mobile phone you recycle and use services such as Fonebank (www.fonebank.com) to make it easy for you to do so. You can decide what percentage of the mobile phone’s value goes to charity all the way up to 100% if you want. Visit your chosen charity of choice’s website to see what your options are.
Store recycling
High-street electronic stores such as Currys will accept smaller household electrical products for recycling if you bring them in, even if they weren’t bought at the store. This is a convenient option for smaller items you want to get rid of responsibly.
If you’re buying a larger household appliance, most retailers will offer a productrecycling service alongside delivery of your new product. This means they’ll take away your old fridge or washing machine and recycle it properly. Collection might incur a charge, however. If you’re having a television installed, it’s worth keeping in mind that today’s Smart TVs can often have personal data on them, so be sure to factory-restore them before you have them collected just like a PC.
Manufacturer recycling
It’s worth looking to see if the manufacturer of the product you want to dispose of has a recycling scheme. Like PC and laptop manufacturers, many electronics companies will happily take back their old products for recycling. These include Acer, Canon, Dyson, Nintendo and Microsoft.
Give it away!
Websites such as Freecycle (uk.freecycle.org) and Freegle (www.ilovefreegle.org) make it easy to find your old gadgets a new home. You can also give away other items such as furniture, too, so there’s no reason to throw anything away.
Batteries and printer cartridges
One of the biggest concerns with throwing out old pieces of technology is the batteries that are often left inside them. Batteries contain harmful chemicals, including many heavy metals including mercury or cadmium. The rubbish compactors at your landfill don’t discern between waste products, so that battery is going to get crushed, causing those chemicals to be released into the air.
These chemicals are not only harmful to the environment but also to wildlife through soil and water contamination. Batteries can also take hundreds of years to decompose, meaning they’ll just sit in landfill. Properly recycling devices that contain Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer batteries is therefore crucial.
If you’re looking to dispose of batteries by themselves, such as the common AA or AAA batteries in your TV remote control, you’ll find recycling points in most electronic stores or supermarkets. Like recycling old clothes or plastic bags, just pop them in the recycling repository and they’ll be recycled responsibly.
Printer cartridges are another considerable source of landfill waste. Throwing them away is a waste as they can be easily refilled and re-used, or the entire cartridge properly broken down to be recycled. Many retailers, such as PC World or Staples, allow you to drop off used ink cartridges for recycling. Occasionally this will also earn you a discount on new cartridges as well.
Tesco also rewards you for recycling your cartridges through its Recycling Factory service (www.therecyclingfactory.com), which provides Clubcard points in exchange for your old cartridges. The monetary value of the Clubcard points can also be donated to charity instead if you prefer. There’s a limit of 100 inkjet cartridges per household, but we doubt many homes will ever get anywhere near that limit. Laser-printer toners can also be recycled, so check if your workplace is disposing of its used toners properly.
The best way to reduce the number of printer cartridges being disposed of is, of course, to print less. So consider whether that hilarious cat photo needs to be printed before hitting the button.