Recycle your old computers at Goodwill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Instead of throwing your old computer away, Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island wants you to bring it to them.

The non-profit takes apart electronic antiques and puts them to much better use. The old computers are better served being ripped into pieces, then breaking down on their own in the landfill.

Supervisor Ed Balasco says the leftovers from these old computers, printers, and other electronics are sent to a recycling company, keeping the environment out of harms way. "The only thing we throw out is what we sweep off the floor at night. They use the term downstream a lot which means you have a legitimate certification on where this ends up so it doesn't end of in a river somewhere."

In January, Goodwill entered into a partnership with Dell computers called Reconnect, which targets the collection of residential computers and electronics.

The program provides training and jobs for people with disabilities and other barriers. It was started in 2009 to deal with the disappearing manufacturing industry.

"There were so many people who were unable to get jobs at that time because they were low skilled and had low academics," says Christine Yankee, the program's Vice President.

Goodwill expects to recycle around 400,000 pounds of electronic waste a year.

Click here for more information on when and where to drop off your computer.