The EPA 's general rule is that an organization disposing of 220 pounds or more of hazardous waste in any given month needs to contact the EPA to find out about regulations and compliance. According to EPA spokesperson Lauren Mical, an organization disposing of potentially hazardous waste in any amount should contact its state environmental regulatory agency. State agencies may also offer resources and incentives to encourage recycling. According to Dataquest, a market research firm, less than 5 percent of all personal computers are donated to schools, charities or nonprofits. You get rid of unused equipment and perhaps earn your company a tax deduction, and the recipient gets equipment it couldn't afford to buy.
Some nonprofit agencies repair and refurbish computers for resale or donation.
For example, Goodwill Industries receives more than 50,000 computer donations a year, and many are fixed and then sold in Goodwill stores or used in the organization's job-training programs. There are recycling companies all over the country that specialize in electronics recycling. However, before you contact a recycling agency, check with the equipment's manufacturer to see if it sponsors any recycling programs. It helps reduce both manufacturing costs and natural resource consumption. Treat your search for a recycler as you would a search for any other vendor.