How to recycle your computer equipment
Computerbank is looking for computers with these specifications or better. The pc's can be dropped off during our opening times.
- Pentium 4 1.4Ghz or Celeron 1.7Ghz and better
- Memory - 256MB+ SD-RAM, 256MB+ DDR and 128MB+ RD RAM
- Hard Disk capacity - 20 GB or better - we wipe all hard drives
- CRT Monitors - 17" or greater, only with a working Pentium IV or greater computer. The monitor must be working and made in 2002 or later.
- LCD monitors 14" or larger accepted (must be working)
- Laptops - Working Pentium III or better. Please remove any passwords (BIOS locks) on donated laptops. If password locks are not removed, we reserve the right to charge a fee.
- Internal and external Modems - Lucent or Agere internal winmodem pci cards
- Apple Macs G4 or better with original software
- No Software disks - We don't want Windows disks. We erase and then reformat the computer hard drives with Linux and Open source software.
Email us:
donations@computerbank.org.au
Recycling older and faulty computer items
Computers that are Pentium 3's or older are recycled. This usually means the computer is more than 7 years old. Although we know some older computers still work we haven't as yet found anyone who wants them in a working condition.
We are lucky enough to get good quality newer machines. The newer computers we restore and sell from $15 to low income people.
Fees for obsolete or faulty equipment delivered to Computerbank West Melbourne:
Monitors
- $11 each 14, 15, 17 inch working or non working CRT Monitor
Computers, printers etc
- $5.50 each under spec or non-working pc or Mac computer (inc keyboard/mouse) dropped off
- $5.50 each small printer or laptop, larger printers attract a higher fee
- gold coin donation for other non working items
A tax invoice is provided, GST is included in all e-waste handling fees
Can I recycle my photocopier or TV with Computerbank?
No we cannot take these items.
Minimum recycling pickup requirements
We do not pick up less than 5 working Pentium 4
computers.
Computerbank cannot pick up low volumes of computers that just meet
the minimum specification. There are charges for obsolete equipment see following....
Fees for obsolete or faulty equipment requiring pick up
Melbourne Metro areas only, extra fees apply if in rural/remote locations. Minimum pick up fee is $55.
Computerbank will invoice recyclers who incorrectly state equipment specifications
Monitors
- $11 for each 14 and 15 inch monitor (min 5 depending on location)
- $15 for each 17 inch monitor (min 5 depending on location)
- $20 for each 20 inch monitor (we don't always have space for these)
Computers, Printers etc.
- $5.50 per each computer (min 10 depending on location)
- $11 - 22 per large printers and computers (ie servers)
- $5.50 for smaller printers
- $2 - 5.50 for other non working items
- Due
to the introduction of fees at the polystyrene compaction centre, we
have introduced a 'packaging' surcharge. Please ask for details.
What happens to the personal data on the computer I donate?
All working hard drives donated to Computerbank are wiped using Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) software. This permanently removes all information from the drive.
Why do you charge fees for old and faulty equipment?
We charge fees for old and faulty equipment. It is labour intensive
to recycle computers, they are firstly stored then taken apart and sorted and then
delivered to a government sponsored recycling depot. Computerbank is
run by volunteers. All our expenses for leasing the building and
running costs are paid for by the work we do.
If you do not want to recycle with Computerbank Victoria please try one these depots.
Preparing your equipment for drop-off
Recycling computers is labor intensive. Doing any of the following to
prepare your equipment for donation will help us speed the processing
and recycling of your equipment.
- Bring as little packaging and boxes as possible. Please recycle
the boxes for your equipment through your council's recycling program.
- Untangle all cords and cables. Coil them up with a rubber band or twist tie.
- Attach
power adapters (AC adaptors, transformers) to their associated
equipment (such as powered speakers, printers or external modems) as
best you can, we suggest wrapping with clear packing tape.
- Due
to the introduction of fees at the polystyrene compaction centre, we
have introduced a 'packaging' surcharge. Please ask for details.
What are your opening hours
- Opening times 10-5pm Fridays, 1-5pm Saturdays.
- Our address is 483 Victoria St (near Dyrburgh St), West Melbourne.
Recycling and the Environment
Computerbank Victoria is committed to the environmentally friendly recycling of e-waste.
- We send faulty and excess CRT monitors to a Australian
Government endorsed processing facility. Monitors are difficult to
dismantle saftely. They contain toxic materials and often have
electric charges. They need to be dismantled in a safe manner. We will
not allow our surplus monitors to go to overseas countries where they
may be dismantled by unprotected children.
- We send scrap metal (mainly empty cases) to a metal recycler.
- We send old and faulty computer boards, power supplies, floppy
drives, CD/DVD drives, CPU's, hard drives, cables and chips for metal
extraction
- We take polystyrene (from packaging that gets sent
to us) to a compaction centre where it is eventually turned into
picture frames.
- Most of our plastics get turned into long life building products such as fence posts and pellets
- Despite
our best efforts we have yet to find a solution for some of the waste
that is generated (some plastic and lead glass) these end up as
landfill once all recoverable material has been removed.
Email us if you have further questions
donations@computerbank.org.au
Alternative to Computerbank Recycling
http://www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au/for_households/dropoff_points_1967.html
