Appendix G: Media Links

These links point to news reports, articles, and interviews related to computer re-use, refurbishing, and donation. Note: The term "Premium" means that you need to pay to read a given article. The term "Register" means that a site is free, but you must fill in a registration form to gain access.

Edmonton Charity Keeps Computers Out of Landfills. hubcanada.com, Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

Story on the Electronic Recycling Association providing used computers to charities in Edmonton, Alberta.

Nissan Canada Helps to Recycle Computers and Cut Down on Waste. hubcanada.com, Friday, August 1, 2008.

Story on Nissan Canada providing computers to World Computer Exchange Canada for delivery to Africa.

Low-Power PCs Eyed for Developing Nations. PCWorld.com, Sunday, June 1, 2008.

Story on Computer Aid International's plans to test the actual power requirements of different computers, in order to reduce the cost of providing power in remote locations by means of solar panels.

Computer Charity Seeks Ugandan Partners. PCWorld.com, Sunday, April 13, 2008.

Story on Computer Aid International's efforts to find local partners in Uganda to help them distribute refurbished computers.

Recycle That Computer Hidden in Your Closet. PCWorld.com, Sunday, March 20, 2008.

Blog entry tying old computer gear to Earth Day, and promoting re-use and recycling of old equipment.

Brits Don't Recycle PCs. PC World, Wednesday, March 12, 2008.

Article reporting on a survey which found that half of unwanted PCs are dumped or stored, rather than recycled or donated.

Computer recycling advice is 'rubbish'. Which?, 6 March, 2008.

Article about how some local councils in the UK give consumers bad advice about disposing of used computers, which might lead to data theft.

Refurbishing an old approach to PC recycling. C|net News.com, August 17, 2007.

Article about computer refurbishing for sale, speculating about whether it will become more popular as a result of electronic waste laws.

Microsoft launches PC-rebuilding scheme. The Register, August 17, 2007.

Article about the Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher program, which allows computer refurbishers to install Windows on used computers to be donated to charities, schools, and libraries.

Sony Offers Free Recycling. PC World, August 17, 2006.

Article about the Sony Take Back Recycling Program.

Sony US launches 'free' recycling programme. The Register, August 17, 2007.

Article about the Sony Take Back Recycling Program, which will allow consumers to drop off Sony-branded consumer electronics for recycling for free at Recycle America eCycling centres in the United States.

Dell Claims PC Recycling Is Ahead Of Schedule. Yahoo! News, July 19, 2007.

Article about Dell's recycling program, which includes a partnership with the National Cristina Foundation to help customers donate used computers to non-profit agencies and schools.

Malaysian exports old U.S. technology. Yahoo! News, May 3, 2007.

Article about Second Life Computer Remanufacturing, which takes old computers and monitors, refurbishes them, and sells them at low cost in the developing world.

Jack & Jill to fetch old phones. The Register, January 22, 2007.

Article about a plan by the Jack & Jill Children's Foundation to raise funds for its programs by collecting used mobile phones, which will either be shipped to the developing world (if they work) or recycled (if they don't.)

Old Green PC. The Register, January 4, 2007.

Article about the European Union's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment coming into law in the UK.

Old Green PC. PC World, May 22, 2006.

Article covering various aspects of dealing with high-tech waste, including donating to charity, recycling, and choosing green technologies in the first place.

Old PCs for new uses. The Register, February 28, 2006.

Article about Digital Aid, which also mentions other computer refurbishing charities based in the United Kingdom.

40 families get computers as part of Volunteer Service Day. Arizona Republic, September 30, 2005.

Article about volunteers from high-tech companies taking a day to help close the technology gap in local schools.

Demand for used PCs on upswing. C|net News.com, September 28, 2005.

Article about the secondary market in used computers, with some speculation about whether used computers can help to bridge the digital divide.

UK faces legal action over e-waste failure. The Register, July 12, 2005.

Article about threats of legal action by the European Commission against the United Kingdom and seven other European Union members for failing to implement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

U.S. Congressional Group Eyes E-Waste Disposal Laws. PC World, May 25, 2005.

Article about a new Congressional E-Waste Working Group, which is working on legislation to encourage proper disposal of electronic goods.

Trash or Treasure? Recycling PCs. Hub Digital Living, May 4, 2005.

Article about ways to recycle old computers.

Easy Ways to Recycle Old PCs and Cell Phones--Really! PC World, April 22, 2005.

Article about eBay's "Rethink Initiative", which lists recycling and donation initiatives for computers and mobile phones.

Senators Want Tax Breaks for Proper Computer Disposal. PC World, March 3, 2005.

Article about a bill introduced in the U.S. senate which would grant tax breaks to companies which recycle their old computers.

Old PCs are goldmine for data thieves. The Register, September 3, 2004.

Article about the risks inherent in disposing of old PCs improperly.

Where to Dump Your Dead Technology. PC World, August 18, 2004.

Article about a joint program between Office Depot and Hewlett-Packard to accept old computer equipment for recycling during the summer of 2004.

How to make hard cash from old IT. The Register, August 13, 2004.

Article about how, even under the new European Union WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive, there is a possibility of recovering more money from old IT equipment than it costs to dispose of it.

Apple UK launches business Mac trade-in deal. The Register, August 11, 2004.

Article about a trade-in program offered by Apple Europe until the end of 2004.

HP and Dell going green. San Jose Mercury News, July 14, 2004.

Article about a recycling programs offered by Dell and Hewlett-Packard.

Alberta plans fee structure for electronic waste disposal. Computing Canada, June 11, 2004.

Article about a computer recycling program being established by the Alberta government, which includes sending usable computers to needy groups.

Hard drive secrets sold cheaply. BBC News, June 9, 2004.

Article about a study which showed that 70% of hard drives in secondhand computers do not have the data erased properly before disposal.

Dell Canada uses Web site to spur e-recycling program. Computing Canada, May 14, 2004.

Article about a computer recycling program being established by Dell Canada, which offers users coupons towards the purchase of hardware and software at its online store for donating old computers to non-profit groups.

Dell launches used computer donation program in Canada. Hub Digital Living, April 29, 2004.

Article about a computer recycling program being established by Dell Canada, working with non-profit groups.

Bridging the global computer divide. BBC News, March 15, 2004.

Article about using secondhand PCs in the developing world, with links to some computer refurbishing charities.

PC Recycling Made Easier. PC World, December 29, 2003.

Item about recycling and donation options for old equipment.

The Three-year Itch. Hub Digital Living, December 5, 2003.

Second in a series about electronic waste. This article covers the issue of replacing PCs.

Dell to Give Grants to Recycle Computers. Associated Press, November 12, 2003.

News story about Dell's proposed program to give grants to computer recycling programs in 12 American cities.

It Isn't Easy Being Green. Hub Digital Living, November 10, 2003.

First in a series about the scope of the problem of electronic waste.

Kickstarting your old PC: A little maintenance, upgrading can speed up an aging computer. The Argus, November 2, 2003.

News story about how some maintenance and fixes can delay the need to replace a computer.

California Imposes CRT Recycling Fee. PC World, September 27, 2003.

News story about a new "recycling fee" imposed by the state of California on the sale of new monitors and televisions with cathode ray tubes, to pay for the cost of safe disposal.

Dell Drops Prison-Labor Recycling Deal. PC World, July 7, 2003.

News story about Dell bowing to pressure from recycling activists to stop using prison labour for its recycling program.

The Upgrade Path to a Perfect Student PC. PC World, June 30, 2003.

"How-To" article on refurbishing a hand-me-down computer for a student to use.

2 PC Makers Given Credit And Blame In Recycling. New York Times, June 27, 2003.

News story about recycling activist praising Hewlett-Packard and criticising Dell for their recycling efforts. (Premium)

Hard Drives Exposed. PC World, May, 2003.

Story about the need to erase private data before disposing of compter hard drives.

Step-By-Step: New Tricks for an Old PC. PC World, May, 2003.

"How-To" article on alternative uses for your old computer.

Recycling not easy for PC makers. C|net News.com, April 22, 2003.

News story on steps computer manufacturers are taking to make computer components easier to recycle.

Dell to offer at-home recycling pickup. C|net News.com, March 19, 2003.

News story on Dell's plans to offer a home pickup computer recycling service in the U.S.

Recyclers Pledge to Cut E-Waste. Wired News, February 26, 2003.

News story about an agreement by a coalition of recycling companies to be more environmentally responsible.

HP: Don't trash that old computer. C|net News.com, February 5, 2003.

News story on an offer by Hewlett-Packard to give coupons good at HP's online store to customers who pay for HP's recycling service.

Upgrade or Buy A New PC? PC World, January 29, 2003.

"How-To" article on refurbishing an old computer, rather than replacing it.

What to Do With That Old, Slow PC. Wired News, January 10, 2003.

News story about the problem of electronic waste, and different manufacturers' recycling programs.

Hardware Tips: What Should You Do With Your Old Computer? PC World, September, 2002.

"How-To" article on what to do with your old computer when you replace it.

E-Recycling Behind Bars. ABC News Tech TV, August 28, 2002.

News story about a tech waste recycling program in U.S. prisons.

New E-Waste Solution a Mine Idea. Wired News, June 7, 2002.

News story about an idea to recover metals from high-tech waste by processing it like mined ores.

EPA: Old Computers No Longer Junk. Wired News, June 3, 2002.

News story about the EPA's plans to divert computer equipment from landfills to recycling.

Exporting Harm: The High-Tech Trashing of Asia. Report by The Basel Action Network and the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, February 25, 2002.

This is the report which sparked so many documentaries on toxic waste from recycled high-tech gear in the news last year.

Charities Say No to Obsolete Crap. Wired News, January 8, 2002.

News story about how charities are starting to realise that donated computers may be more of an expense than a help if they don't come in useable condition.

Recycling Just Got Messier. ABCNews.com, July 1, 2001.

News story about toxic materials in waste computer equipment.

Diverting Old PCs from the Dumpster. ABCNews.com, June 15, 2001.

News story about recycling waste computer equipment.

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[Christian Computing Bibliography] [Links] [Mailing Lists] [Computer Re-use Optimisation Project] [Church Related Software Index] [Christian Computer Users Groups] [Computing and Christianity Web Ring]

[Part I: Introduction] [Part II: Receiving Donated Computer Gear] [Part III: Donating Computer Gear]
[Appendix A: Organisations] [Appendix B: Software] [Appendix C: Resources] [Appendix D: Bibliography] [Appendix E: Computer Vendors] [Appendix F: Sample Documents] [Appendix G: Media Links]