I've been the sole IT person for a large wholesale company for about a year now. We're getting ready for another round of hardware upgrades, which means I'm about to double the amount of old laptops and desktops on my hands. I've thought about holding onto them as backup machines or loaners, but honestly, most have just been gathering dust since the last refresh. Along with these computers, I've also got a bunch of peripherals and some old server hardware like switches.
When I reached out to my corporate contacts and team leads about recycling options, they basically left it up to me. They told me to either throw the old equipment away or take them to a recycling center, with the requirement that I wipe the drives first and make sure it doesn't cost anything to recycle them. I work in a pretty rural area, and the recycling choices I have are limited—there's a state office and a computer company, but both would charge me for every machine I give them.
I have a small urge to use these machines to experiment with my home lab, but the more responsible part of me is wondering what the best path forward is. Maybe I could find some employees who need personal computers, or I could donate them to families or someone in need. I really don't want to just throw them away. What are my options?
2 Answers
The "no-cost recycling" part is tricky. Honestly, e-waste can be expensive, but some places will refurbish and resell the best machines, giving you a cut. If you're interested in a side hustle, that's an option, but I've found it's often easier to donate to a local school or charity instead.
There are companies out there that will pick up your old equipment and sell it, giving you a share of the profits. They handle the drive wiping and shredding too, which takes the pressure off you. I’d be curious to know where you’re located; they might have services in your area.
I’d consider the side hustle, but doesn’t that seem a bit unethical?