Give or go green

Donate or recycle those outdated tech products in exchange for some good karma—and maybe a discount on future shopping

By Kevin Savetz
CNET Networks, Inc

If you started off the new year with a shiny new computer, chances are you didn't even get it plugged in before the question hit: "What am I going to do with the old one?" It might seem tempting to dispatch that bulky tower and huge CRT to a dusty corner in the basement and promptly forget about them, but it's more responsible to dispose of yesterday's technology by recycling it or donating it to charity.

Whatever you do, don't park the old equipment on the curb. Besides taking up landfill space, computers and peripherals contain lead, mercury, and other toxic materials that can leach into the ground and water table. In fact, some components are considered hazardous waste, making it illegal to toss them out with household trash. . . Read more