TOP The Grand Scrounge Businesses, run by people who want top-end equipment always available, as well as true computer fanatics who are constantly trading up, regularly dispose of older equipment. Sometimes they just throw out equipment, sometimes they offer it at reasonably low prices. Some women s groups ask all their board members to check all the businesses they know for any decision to upgrade their computer systems-rendering their current systems obsolete. When these groups hear that a business is upgrading, they ask for one or more of the computers that would be discarded. Some businesses only donate to groups with charitable numbers.
Schools tend to have first dibs on used computers.
Computer Sources VolNet and sometimes local charitable groups have identified computers as desirable cast-offs, and may have cornered the market. Check to see if you can register with the nearest VolNet distribution agency. There are people who make their living dumpster diving behind businesses or near computer industry, just pulling out discarded computer components and either using them or selling them. This kind of ecologically friendly recycling requires a certain amount of computer expertise, however. Only slightly more expensive is the method of browsing through the local newspaper s classified sections for Computers or Electronics.