How do I get rid of old computer parts in Toronto

March 2, 2005 6:10 AM

How can I get rid of old computer components in the Toronto area?

A friend at work asked me this question. What sort of options are there, aside from Goodwill, to keep it out of landfill. Do you know of any companies that do refurbishing, recycling, etc. I've heard of places that do this in the US.

posted by phirleh to computers & internet (7 comments total)

Reboot is a non-profit that takes old computers and refurbishes them for charity. They started in TO but have branches across the country.
posted by bonehead at 7:40 AM on March 2, 2005

Computers for Schools may take some of the parts, depending on how old they are.
posted by dflemingdotorg at 7:44 AM on March 2, 2005

Computation, which is in the Toronto area, does computer recycling.
posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 7:46 AM on March 2, 2005

City of Toronto Recycling Guide (link to PDF)
posted by smcniven at 8:02 AM on March 2, 2005

Also consider Toronto's Freecycle list.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:45 AM on March 2, 2005

Is it old parts in a box? Or old complete systems? Doesn't effect the answer too much, so I will proceed.

I have heard questionable things about the integrity of one or two of the linked places, try searching for their names on redflagdeals. On the other hand, I bet you could make some "little guy" very happy. So...

1) If it is good stuff you should sell it on tor.foresale.computers, craigslists, or redflagdeals. Just list it really cheap, the cheaper you make it the faster it will sell.
If you are going to go cheap pick one place! You don't want a flood of offers.

2) If it is good stuff but it isn't worth the money to you then give it to a friend.
You have lots of friends on MetaFilter!

3) In most neighborhoods if you put "free" on it and leave it at the curb somebody is bound to pick it up.
Anybody picking it up at the curb really really wants or needs it, or they are part of one of the previously linked organizations.

4) If it is really old (anything before pentium II now, I guess) you need to find someone who will recycle it properly, in which case the links above will yield the best answer.

If you have a complete PC and you can't/won't identify the components download aida32, generate a complete report (takes about three mouse clicks), and post the result.

Feel free to replace "you" with "your friend" wherever, and love that TorontoFilter.
posted by Chuckles at 11:04 AM on March 2, 2005

If it's fixable, give it to schools. They have a drop-off place in Mississauga.

If it's junk, I second Computation: "From March 2 - 9 we're inviting the general public to drop-off their unwanted computer equipment for recycling." and "Drop-off is available at our Toronto facility (larger quantities require an appointment), 2444 Bloor St. West, while pick-up by our staff can also be arranged."
posted by pracowity at 11:59 PM on March 2, 2005