Give it to overseas charities

While recycling your old technology is helpful to the environment, giving it to charity can be just as easy and efficient, and it can help other people.

Computer Aid International
One of the largest and most reputable IT charity organisations in the UK, Computer Aid International takes donated PCs, completely wipes them clean of any data and then sends them for re-use in schools and communities in the developing world.

You can donate your PC directly to its workshop in North London or it can arrange collection on your behalf from any address in the UK at a cost of £12.95 per box.

Before donating your PC you must make sure it matches the specifications set out by Computer Aid. Unless modified, most systems capable of running Windows 2000 or later will be acceptable. Wherever possible, cabinet fittings should be unlocked and BIOS/hard disk passwords disabled.

Monitors should be RGB (Colour VGA), 15 or 17 inches, and manufactured since 2000. Computer Aid is also in need of power cables, keyboards and mice among other peripherals listed here.

Fonebak
Aside from recycling a broken phone's raw materials, Fonebak also reuses working phones and sends them to developing countries. Handsets are thoroughly tested and refurbished, making them look like new.

The phones are sent to emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa, where the cost of a new phone is often prohibitively expensive, and landlines are few and far between.

In order to make sure that refurbished phones are properly dealt with at the end of their life, Fonebak has developed the World Recycling Support Programme to help emerging markets set up recycling and reuse initiatives.

You can hand in your old phone to one of Fonebak's partners or send it to a freepost address. For more information click here.