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Want to venture a guess about the percentage of retired computers that are gathering dust in American homes? According to a study by the National Safety Council, the answer is a whopping 75 percent. The EPA's statistics are even worse: In 2001, only 11 percent of personal computers in this country were recycled. I know that I, myself, have one lurking in my garage. So, what is the issue here?

When I recently bought a new computer, I tucked the old one away until I could figure out what to do with it. I wanted to donate my PC, but wasn't sure where. Then there was the nagging question about whether someone would swipe personal data from it if I did. Eventually the whole thing just became too stressful and I continued to procrastinate, or rather, linger in an uncomfortable state of denial. This further increased my stress because I knew that if I waited too long, it would be too old to donate or I'd misplace some of the accessories or documentation. Sound familiar?

I'm sure computers are also gathering dust because we all know that we shouldn't toss them in landfills. Monitors contain lead, flat-screens contain mercury; circuit boards and batteries can also contain lead, cadmium and mercury. Much of the rest of the material, including plastic, glass and some metals, is salvageable. So, where do we begin?

Computer Equipment

Do you really need a new one? Before you buy a new computer, see if you can upgrade your current one. You can often increase the hard disk space (CPU) or memory, or add a CD burner or other accessories. A good way to extend the life of a computer is to keep current on operating system updates. If you're on the Internet, use up-to-date security and anti-virus software.

Is it worth donating? If your computer is in good shape but you can't upgrade it to your specifications, consider donating it. If someone else can use it, that's the next best thing. You might be able to get a tax write-off, as well. According to the TechSoup website sponsored by CompuMentor — a non-profit agency that assists other non-profits with technical information and resources — the best candidates for donation are computers less than five years old that are either Pentiums or Mac Power PC-level computers that can run Internet programs. It's best if you can donate all the accessories, including the keyboard, mouse, software — especially operating system software — and other components like modems and printers. Include the documentation, too.

Donate to a refurbisher: There are some 400 school-based and nonprofit refurbishers in the U.S. Refurbishers make sure the computers are functional before passing them on to groups that need them.

• Access the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Donation Program from the TechSoup website at https://www.techsoup.org/mar/mars.asp.
• The National Cristina Foundation has a list of refurbishers at 203-863-9100 or http://www.cristina.org. Dell: www.dell.com also works with the Cristina Foundation. Once a donor is chosen by TCF, you can arrange for pick-up or drop-off of the equipment.
• Computers for Schools operates a network of refurbishers at 800-939-6000 or www.pcsforschools.org/national/national.html.

Recycle it right:If your computer is not a good candidate for donation, recycle it instead. Check with your computer manufacturer to see if they offer a recycling program. Or see the government pages in your phone book for your community's hazardous waste service, solid waste or recycling program. Check the yellow pages for local electronics-recycling companies or non-profit recyclers. Or try the following:

• Many Staples stores allow consumers to drop off old computers and equipment free of charge about once a quarter. Call your local store or see www.staples.com.
• Dell will recycle your computer for a $15 fee per 50 pounds and they'll even arrange to pick up your computer. See www.dell.com.
• Gateway offers cash back in their Trade-in and Recycle Program with proof of purchase: http://www.gateway.com/about/corp_responsibility/env_options.shtml.
• The National Recycling Coalition maintains a database of recyclers at http://www.nrc-recycle.org/resources/electronics/search/getlisting.php.
• The Electronic Industries Alliance has a national database: http://www.eiae.org/.
• The National Safety Council lists recyclers by state: http://www.nsc.org/ehc/epr2/cntctlst.htm.
• Contact Earth 911 at 1-800-CLEANUP or use their database to search for recyclers by zip code: http://www.earth911.org.
• Go to the TechSoup website and search by region or zip code: www.techsoup.org/recycle/donate.
• Get more information about recycling and refurbishing at http://www.electronicsrecycling.org

Before it goes, remove personal information: Whether you are donating or recycling your computer, it's best to remove personal information. Deleting files is not enough. Use a disk-cleaning utility that overwrites data so that someone else can't recover it. This cleans up e-mail, cookies, history, Internet browser cache and other personal files. Find disk-cleaning software (including freeware) at www.shareware.com. Some examples of Windows software that delete data without the ability to recover it are Eraser, Active@ KillDisk and Sure Delete. For Macintosh, consider the Wipe Info feature in Norton Utilities, or SuperScrubber at www.jiiva.com.

Laser and Ink-Jet Cartridges

Since we're on the topic of computers, how about dealing with those empty printer ink cartridges? My husband and I have been storing ours in a plastic bag until we can decide what to do. We are not alone...

While nearly 30 percent of businesses use remanufactured printer cartridges, most consumers neither reuse nor recycle them. According to an article published recently in the Snohomish County Business Journal, refurbisher Mike Scanes says that one of the toughest challenges is educating people that they can refill a typical $35 ink cartridge for $14 or $15. In fact, many cartridges can be reused half a dozen times or so, dramatically reducing the amount of plastics going into landfills. Mike's store, Printer Ink Source in Everett, WA is one of the few retail outlets in the country that refill cartridges. Customers in the rest of the country frequently buy refurbished cartridges online from various sources.

Rethink and refill:

• Contact Eco-Office for a list of companies that refurbish and recycle cartridges: http://www.eco-office.com.
• Call Environmental Laser at 800-442-8391 for info on remanufactured laser printer cartridges.
• Contact Laser-Tone International at 800-EARTH-58 or http://www.laser-tone.com. You can return toner cartridges using their pre-paid envelopes.
• Contact your toner or ink cartridge manufacturer to see if you can buy refill kits directly from them or from one of their retailers.
• For refills in the Everett, WA area: Printer Ink Source at 425-252-8202 or www.printerinksource.com.

If all else fails, recycle: While it may not seem like a significant quantity of solid waste, each cartridge contains plastic and ink residues that don't break down. Save the cartridge box; many include instructions on how to recycle the cartridge. Check at the store where you bought your toner or ink cartridges to see if they offer a recycling program. Other options:

• Staples and Office Max office supply stores recycle toner and ink cartridges. Call your local store or see www.staples.com or www.officemax.com.
• Recycle cartridges at participating Office Depot stores and they'll give you a free ream of EnviroCopy Recycled copy paper. Call your local store or see www.officedepot.com.
• Contact Canon, Xerox, Hewlett-Packard (HP) or Lexmark — some manufactures have buy-back or free cartridge-return programs. For instance, you can get postage-paid shipping envelopes from HP: http://www.hewlettpackard.com.

Cellular Phones

Evidently, we all have room for improvement here, too. A report published in Wireless Week showed that 62 percent of people polled said they have stuffed old cell phones away in drawers or cabinets. OK, I stuck mine in my car's glove box, but it amounts to the same thing...

Mountains of cell phones: With an estimated 1 billion cell phones worldwide — each with a lifespan of about 18 months — we're going to create a collective mountain of phones. Inform, an environmental research group, estimates that by 2005 we'll be chucking 130 million cell phones per year, resulting in 65,000 tons of waste. Since cell phones contain lead, mercury and cadmium, much of that is toxic waste.

If it's still in good shape, donate:

• CollectiveGood refurbishes phones and gets them to charities that can use them. If they can't fix the phone, it will be recycled for its metals and plastics: www.collectivegood.com.
• At Verizon Wireless, their HopeLine phone recycling program assists in the prevention of domestic violence: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/aboutUs/communityservice/hopeLine.jsp.
• For an additional list of refurbishers and recyclers, go to the CTIA's Wireless Foundation at www.recyclewirelessphones.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.collectionSites.

Where to recycle:

• Sprint PCS is sponsoring a nationwide wireless-phone recycling program that benefits Easter Seals and the National Organization on Disability. To find a local store, call 1-877-851-1830 or visit www.sprintpcs.com.
• See the CTIA Wireless Foundation (listed above) for more recyclers.
• Most Staples stores let you drop off your cell phones. Call your local store or go to www.staples.com.

Fortified with Facts: I hope that this information with give you the courage to go back into those closets or drawers, pull out your old electronic equipment and either donate or dispose of it properly. I confess that my motivation to write this article was not entirely altruistic; I needed this information myself. I'm heading over to Printer Ink Source to refill my inkjet cartridges. Next stop: Staples, to drop off one unusable cell phone and a very dusty circa-1980s computer...

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