9. Old Computer

With the new computer set up and running well, I don't need the old computer. But... my temptation is to hang onto it "just in case". But I've got all my programs up and running so... there is not excuse really. But, what to do with it? There's the monitor and the cpu and the mouse and the keyboard and tonnes of cables. Time to let go of it. I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting a drive-wipe-out program, so I just openned up the computer, took out the harddrive and attempted to disable it with a little sledgehammer. Those things are tough!! Encase in steel with a screw that uses a weird shape (not slot, not hex, not roberts, not phillips)... so it's dented and rattles on the inside, which is good enough.

Now, I know that I can take the stuff to the electronic recycling depot or to Staples, so I just need to do it. I was reading an article today about rare earth metals, and how they are in practically everything technological nowadays... everything from cell phones to catalytic convertors, to windmills, to computer hard drives. And pretty much all of the world's rare earth metals come from China and questionable mining practices. So recycling all those computer parts is a good thing... recycling rare earth metals.