No matter whether your computer has broken, or you have simply upgraded to a newer and fancier model, you should not simply throw your old PC in the trash. There are many great uses for old computers, and if you just chuck yours in the bin, you could be causing serious damage to the environment, which in turn leads to health issues for those living in areas by landfills.
As any expert in the energy industry will tell you, this is because the metals will seep into the soil and water around the landfill, and this causes harmful compounds to leak into the environment. To avoid this situation altogether, you should consider some of the suggestions we provide below. Not only will you be doing your bit for the planet, but there are some fun and useful ideas too.
- Donate it to someone who needs it – If your PC is not completely past use, then why not donate it to someone who needs it? There are many people that would be extremely grateful to receive a working computer, irrespective of how old it may be. You could pop into a local school and ask if they would like your old computer, or you could donate your PC to a low-income family. The options are endless, and it is much better to have someone else benefit from your PC than it is to have it causing damage in a landfill.
- Build a cheap photo frame – If the screen still works effectively, as well as the DVD/CD drive, you can use this to create a cheap digital photo frame. This can look extremely impressive, as your precious memories can pop up on screen in your home.
- Convert it to a home server – This is a great suggestion for those that live in a household where a number of people are using the Internet. There are a few steps you will need to take to ensure that this is effective. Firstly, you will need to ensure that the system does not shut down at inconvenient times, and thus you should set up the operating system to accommodate this. You are also advised to run cooling fans in quiet mode by setting the BIOS power management to this. You won’t need a mouse, keyboard, or monitor once the initial set-up is complete.
- Sell your PC – You can always make some extra cash from your old computer. While you may think your PC is worthless, there is likely to be someone else who is dying to buy it off you, even if you only make a few pounds! If your computer is broken, don’t shy away from this idea. There are actually plenty of companies and individuals that may be willing to take it off your hands. Perhaps someone is practising the art of computer repairs. You also may be able to get a discount off your next purchase if you trade in your old PC at a store.
- Use the parts – If you are struggling to find any great use for your old PC or laptop, why not gut it for parts instead? At the very least, you will be able to use the hard drive, which you can always turn into an external drive. If you are tech savvy, you are bound to find other little parts that you can make use of.
Leave a Reply