In With the New, But What About the Old?

Over the weekend, I took a big step in my life: I purchased a new computer.

Not just any computer, mind you, but a 17-inch high-resolution Apple MacBook Pro, with 2 gigs of RAM, a 7200 RPM 160 gig hard drive, and dual Intel 2.4 gigahertz processors. Ted keeps going on about how it also has a fast front-side BUS, whatever that means. I’m more excited about the 1920 by 1200 pixel display, which is like heaven for a designer. It also has two Firewire ports, one 400 and one 800, and three (three!) USB 2 ports. Mmmmmmm.

This computer is costly, for sure; but I did purchase one of Apple’s refurbished machines. That means that they shipped someone a computer and the drive was busted, or something else happened that was replaceable and fixable, but they couldn’t sell if for full price afterwards. That’s no big deal to me, because we have a Mac Genius of our own, a guy named Steve who’s never let us down when it comes to fixing our Macs. Rather than buy any of Apple’s expensive insurance, we just say that Steve is our insurance. Save for any burned-out pixels, my new computer (which has yet to arrive) will serve me well for several years.

But the thrill of getting a new computer (or mp3 player, or other gadget) is tempered with the question, what do I do with my old one? In our case, it’s easy, because there’s always a way to re-purpose an old computer as a storage machine, or as a server, or as a gift to a family member (which we can write off at full value, thankfully). But what about a piece of technology that you can’t find another use for?

During my purchase from the Apple Store, I noticed that the company offers a pretty cool recycling program. If you buy a new Mac, you can send your old computer to Apple for recycling, regardless of its manufacturer. To participate in this program, when you buy a computer from the Apple Store, you check a box allowing you to opt-in to the recycling program during checkout, and then Apple emails you instructions and shipping info. All you have to do is package the old computer according to the directions, and take it all with a print-out of your email to a FedEx location. This is a much better option than condemning your out-of-date computer to forever dwell in a landfill.

Apple also lets you recycle your old iPods and cell phones. To recycle either of these items with Apple, you don’t have to purchase anything. All you have to do is visit their iPod and cell phone recycling page, enter the quantity of which item you’ll be recycling, select your options, and print out your shipping label. Take the label and the packaged items to a postal office, and you’re done. Apple will receive all models of iPods, and they’ll take any cell phone, regardless of manufacturer.

Of course, Apple also causes a great deal of environmental harm. Any technology manufacturer is bound to do so. But short of saying everyone should stop buying technology, which SO isn’t going to happen, the next best thing is to make sure you recycle your used-up gadgets properly and responsibly. Apple makes it super-easy for you to do so, which gives them a leg up in terms of their responsibility.