Have your current computers reached the end of their useful life with the organization? Because computer equipment is fast becoming a major solid waste problem (especially monitors), we believe the best way for environmental organizations to retire their outdated computers is to recycle them.

Recycling computers requires some effort and sometimes a bit of cost.  The best option is to take advantage of local computer recycling options in your community. This is the most convenient and inexpensive way to make sure your computer equipment is recycled appropriately. The bad news is that not every community has computer recycling programs.

Here are some options in the Pacific Northwest:

British Columbia

Idaho

Montana

Oregon

Washington

A longer listing of Northwest electronics recycling providers can be found at http://www.recyclingadvocates.org/wepsi/recycle.htm

If there's no computer recycling service available in your area, you may need to look farther afield. Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition is one of the leading groups working on responsible e-waste recycling issues. They maintain links to electronics recycling resources at http://www.svtc.org/cleancc/recycle/recycle_otherstates.htm.

For more information on e-waste-related policy issues, see Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition's "Clean Computer Campaign" at http://www.svtc.org/cleancc/index.html.

Thanks to Alex McCallum and Suzanne for updates and suggestions.