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What do you do with your old laptop?

19 replies

LivelyBlake · 13/05/2024 15:46

I have four old laptops that are of no use to anybody - really old. I have erased the data and would like to recycle them but I’m not sure if it’s safe. I can’t find a recycling facility near me either.

Hence my question: what do you do with your old laptops?

OP posts:
neverknowinglyunreasonable · 13/05/2024 15:47

I throw mine in the sea.

drawnfrommemory · 13/05/2024 15:49

We were really lucky that DD's school had a charity come in to take old tech so we had a good clearout - it would seem that we weren't the only ones as apparently they had their best ever response to an appeal!

Previously I think we've taken them to our local council recycling facility which takes tech as well.

MariaLuna · 13/05/2024 15:49

I throw mine in the sea.

I hope you are joking. Dreadful pollution.

I have about 3 I want to get rid of but need to get the hard drive out.... No idea how to do that, except taking a hammer to it, which is as bad.

TheDandyLion · 13/05/2024 15:50

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 13/05/2024 15:47

I throw mine in the sea.

Why would you do that?

FatAndFiftySomething · 13/05/2024 15:51

I’ve heard that you can drill a hole through the hard drive then take it to the recycling, but no idea if it’s true or not.

WallaceinAnderland · 13/05/2024 15:55

What does the hard drive look like?

WhatHaveIFound · 13/05/2024 16:00

If you've removed your data then I'd see if there are any charities locally who could use them or take them for recycling.

When DH upgrades his laptop, older ones are generally passed down the family. Same with phones.

GasPanic · 13/05/2024 16:04

Most councils have a skip for small appliances.

In fact there have been adverts on TV recently with "Hypno Cat".

Not sure that you are supposed to chuck them in there with the battery though as it can present a fire risk.

And of course remove the hard drive.

Theunamedcat · 13/05/2024 16:05

Our local pc world recycle them

Lifesabeachbaby · 13/05/2024 16:06

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 13/05/2024 15:47

I throw mine in the sea.

What!! Have you no conscience at all?

Lifesabeachbaby · 13/05/2024 16:06

Currys wipe the data and recycle them.

PToosher · 13/05/2024 16:11

Take the hard drive out, smash it, hand the rest of the computer in at Curry's or other recycling place.

chichiwaaa · 13/05/2024 16:15

You could maybe see if there's any community initiatives that will take them? We have one locally and they teach people with additional needs how to build computers. They take old tech and recycle the parts. They also rehab old tech / use it to teach.

UnravellingTheWorld · 13/05/2024 16:26

Drill a hole in the hard drive and take it to the dump

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 13/05/2024 16:59

Most computer companies will recycle them for you. Have a look for a local one that does repairs, etc.

Startingagainandagain · 13/05/2024 17:06

There are charities that refurbish old computers or use some of the parts.

I would do a search in your local area for something like that.

Or you can go to places like a PC World store, they offer a free recycling drop off.

garlicandsapphires · 13/05/2024 17:21

I want to know that the person who said they'd throw it into the sea was joking. They were weren't they??

LivelyBlake · 13/05/2024 17:30

Thanks all. I cannot find any charities nearby but I have a Curry’s so I’ll try them. I hope they’ll take the lot.

OP posts:
Myteenhatesme · 13/05/2024 17:34

garlicandsapphires · 13/05/2024 17:21

I want to know that the person who said they'd throw it into the sea was joking. They were weren't they??

I think it is a Wagatha reference. Or alternatively it was just funny, made me laugh. Or alternatively they are an arse.

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