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Metech Offers to Recycle Your Mac
Rosyna writes "Apple now allows the general public to recycle their Apple branded computers. It only costs thirty US dollars, too. The dumpster is still cheaper. More details at Apple's page and Metech's page."
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Seriously, I have an Apple IIc, IIgs, Mac Plus, IIci, Centris 610, rev.A iMac, slot-loading iMac, iBook, LaserWriter .. all working perfectly.
The older machines had a little "gunk" in the keyboards, but I took them apart and bathed them in Tune-O-Wash (a deadly toxic solvent that every geek should own a can of) and now they are just as crisp as they were when new.
After a few years the bondi blue iMac developed a shorted flyback and a busted fan, but I tracked down the parts and replaced them. I think that has something to do with the fact I bought it the day it came out, and they hadn't worked out the kinks yet. Works great as an wireless MP3 player when combined with a wireless bridge.
If I get rid of these machines it will be on eBay or to a local charity, not recycle.
The simple way is to put a $30 tax on the initial purcahes of a new computer.
Except, why should everyday consumers be the ones paying this $30 tax? The way I see it, the huge businesses throwing away 1000 486's along with CRT's, or the workers who take them home and then throw them out (initially thinking they got a great deal) are the real ones polluting.
How about this: all businesses or government institutions buying X quantity of computers are required to pay a recycling tax based on how many computers purchased. These computers are then given stickers, certifying them to be recyclable at certain centers. If in the event the business sells this computer to an employee, he or she can always return these machines to be recycled at no charge. I don't think the average consumer should be the one paying for this.
As for my old computers, they've usually been A) put to some other use, B) given away, C) Sold to someone else, or D) Put in my garage. I've yet to just toss one in the trash.
An iMac with a dead CRT is not so bad- if you open the thing up, you will see a std video connector in there and can hang a monitor off of it. I remember in 1998 doing this (out of curiousity) and driving a nice 21" monitor at a reasonable resolution (playing Nanosaur...). I can't remember what res the video was able to drive the monitor at, but it was definitely more than it could drive the internal CRT. If you want to run it headless, you may be able to hang a monitor off of it to get it set up, then disconnect it. As always, careful around the internal CRT...
It's psychosomatic. You need a lobotomy. I'll get a saw.
Not long ago Apple mentioned a European Directive (WEEE) in a SEC filing concerning the safe disposal of electrical and electronic equipment in Europe and stated that it could have a substantial impact on its business. It looks like its using the US as a training ground to get it recycling ideas ready and iron out any kinks before the directive comes into force.
At the moment we are in a transitional phase but in a few short years companies such as Apple will have to foot the bill for the safe disposal (including any logistical issues) of its equipment and estimates are (industry estimates not Apple's) that this could lead to a 1% increase in prices.
The WEEE directive is a great read (googling 'WEEE' should bring something up) and a sign the the EU is going to get tough on this issue.
I read the draft proposal sometime back and wholeheartedly agree with their stance on the issue.
If the only thing wrong is the monitor, and you're willing to invest a bit, then just buy the iRack (watch out though, the US might try to DDoS it...), and put it in your rack in the closet...
;)
Or rip out it's guts, copy the iRack's install guide, and install all the parts on a piece of plywood...
Or, as another poster said, rip out the drive, install VNC, then put the drive back in...
Also, I know that thay there is something that looks suspiciously like a VGA port and does connect suspiciously near the monitor on the motherboard of my Rev A iMac...
Or you could buy the iPort from Griffin Technology that adds a serial port and video out to your Rev A or Rev B iMac for only $60...
Or, as a last dich effort, you could rip out the guts, and make an aquarium....
Or you could send it to me, I'm in the Boston area and would love an old iMac to do the above with...
Seriously, there are so many posibilities. I'm sure with the above you can make the iMac a nice file server. Or whatever.
Orange
and tosses the rest. Says the old Macs have great 5 volt power supplies, unlike the crappy supplies
in PCs. He must be using a couple dozen in projects at his company.
It is not the computer's fault that Maxwell's equations are not adequate to design the electric motor. - A. Perlis
No electrons were harmed creating this post, though some may have been subjected to electrical and/or magnetic fields.