When switching to a new portable computer (laptop, notebook, netbook)

Dispose of your old portable computer in an environmentally friendly way
Computers and monitors contain a number of materials, many of which shouldn’t be allowed to escape and spread in our environment as they can have an adverse effect on both ourselves and the environment. Environmentally harmful materials have to be disposed of carefully; as do materials offering benefits for the environment when they’re recycled, such as metals. This is why it’s important to make sure your product is recycled once it’s reached the end of its useful life. But of course, the very best solution is to pass it on to someone else to use! 

There are various options: 

1. You can sell a relatively new portable computer on the Internet, for example
 
2. Give your portable computer to charity (relatively new computers only: contact your charity of choice beforehand to find out what they’ll accept)
 
3. Drop your portable computer off at a recycling centre

Companies within the EU hold manufacturer responsibility, which means that companies manufacturing computers, for example, also have to dispose of end-of-life products and make sure they’re reused or recycled in an environmentally responsible way. But for this scheme to work, you have to drop off your old portable computer at a recycling centre.

TCO-labelled portable computers meet requirements which facilitate recycling, e.g. labelling of plastics, restrictions on various materials and ensuring that materials can be separated.

No matter what you do, you should reformat your hard disk before you get rid of your computer so that none of the information stored on it can end up in the hands of anyone else. Free software for this is available on the Internet.

Find out more:
Advice on choosing and buying portable computers
Advice on using a portable computer
Advice on disposing of an old portable computer
Advantages of a TCO-labelled notebook