Re: Recycled Macs and Junk where do you draw the line
Re: Recycled Macs and Junk where do you draw the line
- Subject: Re: Recycled Macs and Junk where do you draw the line
- From: Gary Lists <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 00:12:23 -0500
Laura M. Phillips wrote [2/26/04 5:02 PM]:
>
You are right Gary, and many older mac's that we get in (complete and
>
working even) you hate to scrap out. But a majority of people these days
>
won't take them, even though they are FREE ! Have the same problem with
>
PC's, a PI isn't good enough if it's not complete with a modem :|
Well, that's part of my point. If a teenager, let's say, is the intended
recipient of a free-cycled (just thought of that ;) computer, then we can
know certain things...one of which is: the net is key.
Anyway, though, you have them now, and my debating a strategy of matching is
not helpful to you. So...
Things we elected to keep, even when we decided to "scrap" [1] the physical
form.
1. All RAM (small, easy to store, easy to 'file' in a boxes)
2. All drives (ditto) [you would be surprised how useful an old Apple II and
a 5 1/2 inch floppy can be at a local pre-school. We gave three
Apple-series computers and one "teacher's" Apple (a Mac LC II with the Apple
II drive and boot kit) to a preschool and they loved it. Picture and math
games abound for that age, and the mono-chromatic monitors are not a
problem.
3. All cables were sorted and then tested by meter. If they were 'bad', they
were sold as scrap (see below), if they were good they were put into labeled
zip lock bags -- we used the kind with the white patch already on -- and put
into $2.97 bins, made by Sterlite, from the local WalMart (probably from
reclaimed plastics, such as computer cable coverings and housing!! ;)
4. All mice and input devices were similarly kept, sorted, tested and sorted
again.
5. NIC cards were kept, as were later-model sound and video cards.
It's MUCH easier to store components, and takes less space, than intact
machines. One filing cabinet can hold oodles of ram, filed neatly by type
and size. Plastic bins are very useful for storing items, and aids the
process when volunteers are 'on the clock'...you can get much more done when
you know where everything is.
We did our recycle in two consecutive weekends, with about 20 young folks
involved. First weekend we had to move and pre-sort everything. Then we
started breaking down the machines that we identified as 'parts'.
Weekend two was spent with the young folks putting together 'work piles', by
picking inventory ;) out of the bins to make full machines.
During the week, without student involvement, we went through our 'want
list' of families or groups who were waiting, and we flagged what we could
meet from what we had.
It took some planning and loads of work, but we had a great time. Having the
students involved was such a blessing, because they were energetic and funny
and brimming with an apparent camaraderie bolstered by doing something for
others.
The whole thing -- not to sound overly sappy -- was quite inspiring. And
while you've got a lot of work and headaches ahead, I know from my
experience that it was all worth it. Complainers and greedsters and all!
Best of luck, and Thanks for doing it in the first place!
--
Gary
[1] We scrapped for pay, through a company that bought recyclables. All of
the proceeds from the scrapping went toward other needed parts, software and
supplies (a few soldering irons, solder, etc.)
We sold _all_ plastic cases;
We sold all CRT's intact [some state laws require the recycling of TV's and
CRT's, partly because they are toxic] -- keep that in mind if you have kids
helping. A mask is a must for removing monitors, as the CRT's are coated
with dust, not to mention the dust inside most old machines...Asthama and
Chronic Bronchitis alert!;
We sold all metal scraps from internal brackets and braces, sorted aluminum
and steel;
We sold all wires and cables (yes, there's a market).
Depending on your geographic area, there are fewer or more options for
recycling. Some folks we know have shipped their 'debris', reducing their
net income from recycling, but still...I think it's worth it. Especially if
young people are involved in the process (ours were), then it helps complete
the circle 'in action'.
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