Recently, I found and downloaded a free iPhone app called iRecycle by Earth911.com . It uses the iPhone’s location to show you the closet recyclers for whatever items you enter (plastic bags, batteries, aluminum, etc). After entering “computers”, I was pleased to see, just down the street, a new organization that I wasn’t previously aware of, Free Geek Chicago.

Free Geek is…

FreeGeek Chicago is a not-for-profit community organization that recycles used computers and parts to provide functional computers, education, internet access and job skills training to the underserved communities of Chicago in exchange for community service.

Sounds great, so I stopped by. It’s a great setup, with lots of activity, the were friendly, and they meet basically all of my preferred computer recycling criteria:

• they take just about anything computer related, including both functioning and non-functioning stuff, cables & cords, external devices, networking equipment, etc.
• what they can use, they refurbish/repurpose for training and donation to needy people and organizations.
• what they can’t use, the responsibly recycle.
• they do full data wipes on all received hard drives
• they’re a full blooded 501(c)(3), so they can provide tax receipts for donations
• they’re nice

I’m pretty sure they’re going to be my one-stop-dropoff for computer related recycling and donation. And although their website is awkwardly worded  (something they admitted to me) regarding requested donations to accomapny dropped off equipment, they clarified their position as follows: the receyclers they go to charge _them_ by the pound. If you bring in a lot of heavy stuff that they can’t use, they have to pay money to recycle it. So, a voluntary donation would be appreciated (bring them a box of stuff, and hand them $5 or $10 to be nice is my suggestion). For CRT displays, and some other HEAVY items, their required fees are…

• Monitors ($15.00 ea.)
• Terminals ($10.00 ea.)
• Printers ($10.00 ea.)
• CPU/CRT combos [like iMacs] ($15.00 ea.)

Here’s a nice video showing the location and the people…

So, now there’s no excuse not to recycle and donate your old computer stuff.