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Show Before you toss your outdated computer, consider these options. Give Life To Your Old PC BY ERIC TAUB peers Soeeranneneenvispat) personal computerswill become obsolete by the endofthis year, and their thoughtless disposal is a growing threatto our environment. Here’s how you can put yourold PC to gooduse: Bridge the “digital divide.” Many schools lack the resources to buy new computers. Donate yourold PC toa local schoolor contact Computers for Schools (1-800-939-6000), an association of 34 independentorganizations. But before you dropoff your PC,take these steps: © Makesure yoursystem is new enough to help rather than hinder students(at least a 133MHzPentiumI). © Makesure your old computercan be connected to a network andthatits softwarelicensesare transferable. © If you wantto protect your personal data,erase your hard drive. Manycharities also accept used computers. The National Cristina Foundation (www.crit stina.org) donates ereRae MTseelmeee Lae MeuCea Co ce one eae Se AURURURGE RCa Oem Oe rteeeeae SU a oePca eenaneeod SUROais TacCCCs ectnr aietea ME CUuCeCaoeae Cmteeee teoe aceaege CUtgeeae Llheleeeeres OfficeMax, Kmart, RadioShack, Best Buy, Staples Sel nce ue meUE oly CUNetlogcg Seketeee ae Re eeeueROR MUeM claa Seedeng BURRSeteee te Skeeeed ee Reece eaeteraa} cc up to 40,000 used PCs each year to needy students and the disabled. Recycle smartly. “The potential damage to our environmentfromthe careless disposal ofPCs becominga problem,” says Christie Whitman,headofthe Environmental Protection Agency. Computers contain lead andothertoxins, which can leach from landfills intosoil and drinking water. If your PC reallyis past its lifeSpan, recyclers can use the componentsto makeeverything from new computers to plastic benches, while disposing ofthe toxins responsibly. For $30, IBMwill recycle anybrand of computer(1-888-7467426). Or visit www.eiae.org for a recy. cling or donation center. ik PAGE 12 - NOVEMBER 25, 2001 PARADE MAGAZINE |
