Let's say you just bought yourself a shiny, new, fast computer. What do you do with the old one? If you're like most people, you shove it into the closet, drag it up to the attic, haul it out to the garage or toss it into the trash, right? Any of these approaches gets this antiquated eyesore out of your sight, but whom does this really benefit?

It is estimated that 41 million computers will become obsolete 1n 2003 alone. Approximately 30 million computers are thrown out, organic pollutants and all, in the United States every year. Of those, only about 14 percent are recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. This works out to approximately 129 million cubic feet of computer waste per year ending up in our landfills. This detritus will cover one square mile to a depth of over four feet this year alone - increasing every year.

An electronic device that poses no health threat while sitting on a desk can be a very real health hazard at the dump. Computers are not dangerous when they're intact, but when they're thrown into a landfill, they are crushed, and toxins find their way into the water table.

The lead in the cathode ray tube of a monitor is especially hazardous. While the government has banned lead in paint and gasoline because it can cause brain damage in children, there is still an average of five pounds of the metal in each monitor. This results in 57, 589 tons of lead dumped into the environment annually.

So what can you do to not contribute to this problem? Here in Collin County we have several options.

Plano Recycling is now recycling computers, keyboards, mice and printers every third Saturday from 9:00am to 11:00am. You can take your old computer equipment down to their offices and they will do the rest.

If you can't wait until the third Saturday, you can take your old computer gear to Software, Etc. in Allen, tell them it's for Plano Recycling and they will attempt to sell the equipment and give a percentage of the proceeds to Plano Recycling. Of course, you can always just take your computer to Software, Etc. and consign it to them for sale and hope to eventually receive a few shekels for your efforts.

Resource Concepts in Carrollton will take all your End Of Life computer components. On-site they disassemble your computers and monitors. Their processor then separates the metal, glass and lead, and recycles or disposes of the proceeds in accordance with EPA regulations.

Last, but not least, is a non-profit corporation in Plano that refurbishes computers and gives them directly to lower-income and military families here in North Texas. Foundation for Uniting Technology With Recipients, Inc (www.futr.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, founded in 2002 for the sole purpose of facilitating this project. In 2002, FUTR donated 44 complete computer systems to families in North Texas.

Too often the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' can be bridged by simple access to information. What many of us take for granted is simply beyond the grasp of many of our neighbors here in the Telecom Corridor.

In many homes here in the Plano / Richardson area, computers are commonplace and our children grow up accustomed to surfing the Internet, accessing world news and geographic data at will and doing their homework quickly and neatly with the aid of a Personal Computer. However ubiquitous computers may seem to most of us, there are many of our neighbors for whom a Personal Computer is a luxury they simply cannot afford. There are many families here where the addition of a Personal Computer would help the parents achieve computer skills that can improve their employability. They, as well as their children, will benefit from access to the Internet.

In September of 2001, 65.6 percent of the U.S. population were computer users. That leaves 34.4% with no access to this life-altering technology. Not surprisingly, the percentage drops off significantly as the household income decreases - to 62.7% with no computer access at the $15,000 and under income bracket.

At FUTR, they are attempting to help those less fortunate families by refurbishing donated computers, adding any necessary components or software to get them functional -- then distributing them to needy families with the aid of local schools, churches and charities.

Currently, only two states, California and Massachusetts, have mandatory computer recycling programs, with national legislation being considered (H.R. 5158). Until government regulations force manufacturers to budget for, and implement computer recycling, you and I can individually contribute to a healthier environment by finding new 'homes' for our obsolete computers.

We are no longer accepting donations as we have discontinued this program effective August 2007

The following facilities can assist you in recycling your computer equipment:

The City of Plano offers electronics recycling to Plano residents every third Saturday of the month from 9am-11am in the Elliott's Hardware parking lot.
( located at the corner of Park and Coit Rd)
There is a fee associated with the proper recycling or disposal of electronic equipment. Residents pay $5.00 per monitor, $10.00 per TV and $0.15 per pound for any other electronic equipment.
If anyone would like more information about this program, they can contact Rohini Drake, Environmental Education Coordinator at (972)816-8362 or (972)769-4132.

Dallas Computer Parts, Plano Parkway, Plano

Resource Concepts, Carrollton

City Industries, Dallas

Local Recycling Resources:

Plano Recycling: 4120 West Plano Parkway - Plano, TX - 972-769-4132

Resource Concepts: 2940 Eisenhower - Carrollton, TX - 800-258-9112

FUTR: 3131 Custer Road, Suite 175 - Plano, TX - 972-781-0011

Warren Harris owns and operates The Computer Wizard in Plano and is President of FUTR.