Computer disposal in Des Moines?

[CYdTracked]

What does everyone do with their old computer equipment? Naturally I thought take it to the recycling center so I went to the Artistic Waste Management which is supposedly Des Moines official recyling center and they tell me just to throw it in the garbage! Is this right? I thought that stuff was not allowed in the normal trash bin?

I have 2 old CRT monitors and 3 stripped out towers that need to go. Then they tell me if they take them they charge anywhere from $12.50-$17.50 a monitor depending on the size. Yikes! So do I throw a piece in the trash each week and save around $50 to dispose it properly? I can't imagine that is the right way to do it and I was shocked that someone working for waste disposal told me just to throw it in the trash.

 

[bos]

Oh hell no, dont put it in the garbage. Good way to get a fine. Call your local Goodwill. They are taking computers and recycling them for free in many locations.

Computers leak poisonous chemicals into the ground.

 

[CYdTracked]

This is non-functional equipment though, not sure goodwill will take it

 

[bos]

This is non-functional equipment though, not sure goodwill will take it

If your goodwill is participating, they will take all. Our in Sioux City is.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

Move back to Ames--you can toss two a year at the city's "free" disposal day, Sept. 13. Public Works

Here are other options, from the Ames city's Web site Public Works

 

[candg4ever]

In a related query, I have several old satelite receivers and a couple of dishes. I live in Nevada and was wondering if there is a proper method for disposing of these, preferably in Story County.

 

[wartknight]

I was at Staples the other day and they said if they couldn't fix my computer, they would take it off my hands at no charge. I saw that as a win-win.
They did get it fixed though.

 

[cmoneyr]

Oh hell no, dont put it in the garbage. Good way to get a fine. Call your local Goodwill. They are taking computers and recycling them for free in many locations.

Computers leak poisonous chemicals into the ground.

Not if you throw it in your neighbors trash!

 

[Psyclone]

A few options short of disposing of it assuming it is still a viable computer:

(1) Make a Media Center PC out of it tied to your HDTV and/or use it to experiment with free Open Source software.
(2) Craiglist - Consider the free stuff if you just want it gone.
(3) ReStore - I'm not sure if they take computers but they might.
(4) Goodwill - See (3)
(5) Salvation Army - See (3)
(6) Local schools

With (3) through (6) you may be able to deduct the fair value. I'm not terribly familiar with ReStore, but I posted a free item on Craigslist for the first time and the guy that came to pick it up mentioned ReStore as a another possibility for things like this. I think the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. Item (6) may not work so good for an individual as I think many companies fill this need in higher quantities of similar computers.

WIth regard to (1) you can also have some fun loading Linux and some other free open source software and experimenting and trying out many software applications totally free. OpenSource.com is the place that gathers all that stuff. Download Ubuntu and try it out. It works great on older computers.

 

[Psyclone]

This is non-functional equipment though, not sure goodwill will take it

Disregard my previous list of things to do. Unless you are willing to fix what is wrong, I'm not sure how viable any of my options are.

 

[Psyclone]

In a related query, I have several old satelite receivers and a couple of dishes. I live in Nevada and was wondering if there is a proper method for disposing of these, preferably in Story County.

For some older electronics equipment, even non working, there is often a market on eBay selling it for parts. I've had intentions of selling a basement full of stuff and in fact tried to buy a non working item that could be used to fix a broken and very expensive audio/video receiver. I didn't bid enough and regretted it. As far as selling stuff, I've never put the energy into figuring out how to list something and understanding how to deal with the shipping costs. I'm sure it easy, but just haven't been motivated to do it.

 

[goldmember]

I know the Best Buy's in Des Moines will take one computer (includes monitor) per visit for free. It's part of a new pilot recycling program they are putting together. They will even remove the hard drive for you for security reasons. Hope this helps.

 

[cmoneyr]

You could put it up on Freecycle, you can get rid of anything on there.

 

[CycloneBax]

Regional Collection Center in Bondurant.

Metro Waste Authority

They will send the computer to another location, it will be recycled and hard drive shredded.

$.50 / pound.

 

[1100011CS]

This is what I use for all my "techno trash". Batteries, old cell phones, computer parts, CDs... pretty much anything "techno".

GreenDisk [Technotrash Cans]

 

[CYdTracked]

Will have to look into some options. Here's the thing, none of this stuff is worth a darn. 2 of the PCs are gutted out to basically the dead motherboards and wiring (no RAM, drives, anything of value left in them and both are 10+ years old) the other is an old 486 PC that I doubt even works. One of the monitors is dead, the other I bet is around 15 years old and doesn't have very high resolution so yeah if I had any kind of market to rid myself of it I would have by now but I'd practically have to pay someone to take this junk. Just hoping I can find a reasonable disposal for them. I'm not payin $17 a monitor, I'd rather go find a dumpster outside of an apartment and dump this stuff if that is the case.

 

[1100011CS]

Don't dump it in the garbage. There's two places in Marshalltown that take all kinds of electronics for disposal/recycling for no charge. There has to be at least one in D.M.

 

[CycloneBax]

I know the Best Buy's in Des Moines will take one computer (includes monitor) per visit for free. It's part of a new pilot recycling program they are putting together. They will even remove the hard drive for you for security reasons. Hope this helps.

kare11.com | Twin Cities, MN | Best Buy testing free e-waste recycling program

I am going to call Best Buy to verify Ames accepts my old monitor. I was planning on taking to Bondurant, but will pay for the gas to go to Ames and dump it for free.

 

[joefrog]

I just moved and had this dilemma. I took all my stuff to here:

www.ewasterecycle.com

Click on the DSM facility, then on the map. Very helpful and friendly. They took 2 monitors, 3 towers, and also all my old peripherals. Most of it for free. It is just north of Sam's Club in DSM. Go up to University, then take a left (west). It is only a block or two, then turn left again (south). Facility is behind the first building, it is a seperate back building. Hope this helps.

 

[CYdTracked]

I just moved and had this dilemma. I took all my stuff to here:

www.ewasterecycle.com

Click on the DSM facility, then on the map. Very helpful and friendly. They took 2 monitors, 3 towers, and also all my old peripherals. Most of it for free. It is just north of Sam's Club in DSM. Go up to University, then take a left (west). It is only a block or two, then turn left again (south). Facility is behind the first building, it is a seperate back building. Hope this helps.

I think I might have to check this out, thanks! The website says 25 cents a pound which even at that is still a lot better than what the MWA recycling center was going to charge me. I'm still shocked that they told me to just dump it in the trash when they are associated with the city.