Computer recycling at Goodwill

While I advocate saving some old computers (This Old Mac, This Old PC), some are just too old to be anything but museum pieces or scrap. The city of Los Angeles collects what it calls "e-waste" at its facility in Sun Valley, as well as others, and also offers mobile collection events.

But there's another way. Goodwill Industries has its own computer recycling program. And it's something that actually makes money for this worthy organization:

Income from Goodwill Computer Recycling helps fund education, training and job placement services for people with disabilities and other barriers.

Here's what they do:

How do we recycle computers? Wipe hard drive to Department of Defense standard Refurbish & resell - 10% Dismantle & sell plastic and metal parts for salvage - 70% 20% sent to authorized recyclers for "cancellation"

So ... somewhere they are selling the worthy pickings from what gets donated -- and it seems like they won't turn you away if you have "e-waste." To find the exact place to take your old hardware, call 323-539-2130, or e-mail
ComputerRecycling@goodwillsocal.org.

Other Goodwill services that could help your business -- while providing jobs for those who need them -- include Secure Shredding, laser-toner cartridge recycling, professional packing and shipping -- even assembly, plus janitorial, construction and other cleanup. Go to the Web site for a free quote, or call (866) LABOR 4U (522-6748). Here's their pitch:

With 42,000 square feet of warehouse/production space in Los Angeles, 8000 square feet in San Bernardino, and 10,000 square feet in Panorama City, Industrial Services can help private companies meet critical production deadlines, address shortage of production space in their facilities and reduce their production costs. Our production teams handle contracts for assembly, sorting, collating, labeling, coding, pricing, packaging, and shrink-wrapping.

The Industrial Services also bids for and obtains government contracts for various services: janitorial work, administrative/clerical services and commissary shelf stocking at federal facilities.