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

[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?