Where to scavenge/recycle computers

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Anyone know a place in the area where people can recycle and scavenge computers and parts?

I used to get parts from the computer recycling bin at the Cambridge DPW's Recycling Center, but recently they started enforcing their rule against taking anything from the electronics bins.

Comments

[thespian.livejournal.com]

april through october, the monthly swaps at MIT: http://w1mx.mit.edu/flea-at-mit

Thanks!

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

I did not know about this. Sounds awesome!

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea.

It's too bad Cambridge had to increase everyone's costs by making every seller buy a peddler's license.

[ron_newman]

Why do they not want people to scavenge the bins?

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

i wanted to ask this as well.

is it to protect any potentially discarded personal info or something? just seems sad, that something someone else could have put to good use is now...not. i mean, obv it will be recycled, but still.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing it has to do with the hazardous materials that are in many electronic parts.

[spud.livejournal.com]

I seriously doubt that anyone scavenging for parts is going to chew on batteries or capacitors attached to any boards they find. It sounds more akin to people who want to put padding down on playgrounds so kids won't scrape their knees when they fall.

[rmd.livejournal.com]

maybe they're worried about someone cutting themselves and turning around and saying 'oh my god you had an unsafe situation!'

[turil.livejournal.com]

Yep, insurance and our lawsuit-crazy culture is what makes people terrified to let people do most useful stuff. :-)

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

The sign says it's for privacy and safety reasons.

Anyone who cares about privacy shouldn't throw away an intact hard drive anyway, so I don't see how this rule will help anyone. I'm not sure how to convince the people in charge that safety isn't a concern.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

Maybe it makes a mess => additional work for the DPW employees?

[pjmorgan.livejournal.com]

I'm recycling 2 old laptops this week (from 2005-2007 time frame), though I'm not sure that there are any parts that would be desireable.

[philipph.livejournal.com]

Depending on the model, it might be exactly the right thing for someone. That's the trouble with laptops. It can be hard to find parts for a specific model, so it's handy to have an exact duplicate at hand to cannibalize.

Yup!

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

What models are they?

[turil.livejournal.com]

There are a few electronics recycling bins around MIT that are generally open and available to the public. There isn't usually much in them, but it's worth checking sometimes, if you're in the area. Or if you know anyone who's around MIT. There's been one on the fifth floor (I think, it's the top floor anyway) of the McGovern building (across Vassar Street from the Stata Center) near the stairs for a while, though I can't guarantee it's still there.

There're also bins in the mailrooms (http://web.mit.edu/workinggreen/reuse/recycle.html#elec), apparently, though I don't know if people are supposed to be taking stuff from them.

[hr-macgirl.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't take items out of TechnoCycle (http://web.mit.edu/facilities/environmental/reuse.html#technocycle) bins on campus. Unless you're part of the MIT community, you could be cited for trespassing and/or theft. Better to do it legitimately through the reuse (http://web.mit.edu/workinggreen/reuse/reuse.html) mailing list (and associated programs). Lots of treasure gets posted on reuse for free.

[turil.livejournal.com]

MIT buildings, in general, are open to the public. And these bins are out in the open. If you are cited for doing anything, it's more likely because some cop is having a bad day, and doesn't like the looks of you, not because you are doing anything wrong.

But sure, you can be cited for pretty much anything these days. So I suggest not leaving the house at all. :-)

[hr-macgirl.livejournal.com]

open to the public, yes, but there are signs on campus perimeter doors banning trespassers. I'm not saying a citation from a CP (Campus Police Officer) is likely, but nor would I advocate pulling items out of technocycle bins.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Having been around MIT for about 30 years, I can say that I've never ever had any problems with being harassed for normal things like recycling the recycling. In fact, it's mostly encouraged, and indeed advocated, my most MIT folks.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

You now need an MIT email address to subscribe to the reuse list. And I've heard stories of people getting hassled or possibly arrested for taking stuff in public hallways labeled with a "reuse" sign.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

That's a good suggestion for small stuff, but I'm most interested in desktops and monitors.

[astrajane.livejournal.com]

Have you seen this website (http://www.earthwormrecycling.org/electronics.html)? They might be willing to scrap you some parts.

****

Also, it seems that old moniters/tv's may have CRTs - so they may contain trace amounts of lead, and it's considered hazardous waste. Maybe that's why there's no encouraged dumpster diving in various bins.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Have you tried posting on Freecycle saying that you're looking for parts?

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Freecycle is useful. But I'm interested in a place where I can go when I have free time, and poke around what's there, instead of having to email back and forth and schedule a meeting.