[conspire] Getting rid of monitors

[Rick Moen]

You might be like most computer users in having a lingering problem
you're not really aware of -- or, if you're aware of it, have been
putting off until later.  That's the problem of old picture-tube-type
monitors.

A couple of years ago, all the places you can (lawfully) get rid of
monitors started charging significant surcharges for disposal service,
above and beyond regular fees, on grounds that monitors tend to include
some seriously nasty poisonous chemicals (such as selenium).  I've
noticed the topic has started to come up more often on Bay Area
technical mailing list, as people start to realise they have a problem.

The _other_ shoe dropped about the same time:  LCD panels suddenly
became both good and cheap -- in addition to being lighter and
space-saving.  Have a look around your local bank branch.  See any
tube-type monitors?  Probably not.  The bulk of corporate America has
already made the switch.  You probably will, too -- at which point
you'll be looking to unload that heavy old thing (or maybe the
half-dozen you have kicking around the house).  And the recycling fees
can only get worse.

Therefore, I thought I'd post a couple of suggested (local) solutions.
One's conditionally free; the other's absolutely free through Labour
Day.  Details follow.

Me?  Deirdre and I have three 17" tube monitors left -- all functional,
but none in actual daily service because we prefer to use our laptops as
consoles.  The three dinosaurs sit wedged into a vertical pile in the
living room, for borrowing by visiting CABAL members or emergency use if
needed on one of our (normally "headless") server machines.

But I'll tell you:  If any of those _were_ smaller than 17", or worked
less than perfectly, I'd be unloading them in a hurry (lawfully).  So,
you might consider if that's the boat _you're_ in, and consider these
options:



 Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 19:22:27 -0700 (PDT)
 From: vraptor at employees.org
 To: "Guy B. Purcell" <guy at extragalactic.net>
 Cc: baylisa at baylisa.org
 Subject: Re: recycling

Tossing my two cents in on this a month+ late, but useful info for
others, I hope....

<http://www.hackettelec.com/>

Hackette Electronics in San Jose is a 100% recycle facility.  They will
take electronics in any quantity without disposal fees, with the
exception of monitors.

If you bring monitors with other gear of sufficient quantity, they do
not require a disposal fee.  If you bring in monitors alone, they charge
$10/monitor.  This fee is $5 less than the other recycle facilities in
the South Bay that I am aware of.

I took all my old dead x86 and printer stuff down there, when I recently
did a major clean-up in preparation for my move.  I know a lot of
sysadmins are pack rats, so this might make the process of winnowing a
little easier.  :-)

=Nadine=




 Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 20:40:20 -0700
 From: Ross Bernheim <rossbernheim at speakeasy.net>
 To: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
 Subject: Re: Recycling monitors

On Monday, July 26, 2004, at 05:56 PM, Rick Moen wrote:

> Would you mind summarising the deal Office Depot is offering on
> accepting monitors?  I'd like to post it to conspire at linuxmafia.com,
> per your suggestion on Saturday.

Got old electronics sitting around the house that the trashman won't
take?  Don't want to pay to have it recycled at the dump?  Has Office
Depot got a deal for you!

The following is from Office Depot's Web site.


Now through Labor Day, bring your unwanted  PC, laptop, printer,
handheld, cell phone -- or any other qualifying product -- to your
nearest Office Depot.*  We'll send them to HP's recycling plant, where
they'll be processed into material that will be used to make new
products.  Bring in products made by any vendor -- not just HP.  Best of
all, this service is provided absolutely FREE of charge.

Each customer may  return one (1) piece of approved equipment to an
Office Depot retail store per day.  Office Depot will not accept and
reserves the express right to reject all other types of electronic
equipment, including, but not limited to, stand-alone VCRs, TVs (greater
than 27" measured diagonally), DVDs, and any product that presents a
hazardous condition, including monitors with broken glass.  Customers
will not receive compensation from Office Depot for approved equipment.

      Qualifying Products:
PCs, Mice, Keyboards
Handhelds/PDAs
Monitors
Flat Panel Displays
Laser & Inkjet Printers
Scanners
All-in-Ones
Digital Cameras
Fax Machines
Desktop Copiers
Cell Phones
TVs (27" and smaller only, no consoles)
TV/VCR  combos 27" and smaller

*Offer is limited to one product solution, such as a PC, monitor,
mouse and keyboard or one individual product, such as a PDA , per
customer per day.  No TV consoles, furniture, laptop batteries,
rechargeable batteries, or electric appliances, please.  Program
available in the continental U.S. only.

CUSTOMER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT CUSTOMER OWNS THE PRODUCT
PRESENTED TO OFFICE DEPOT AND THAT ALL PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE
INFORMATION HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE PRODUCT(S).  NEITHER OFFICE DEPOT
NOR ITS THIRD PARTY RECYCLER ARE [sic] RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DATA THAT IS
LEFT ON APPROVED EQUIPMENT.

Enjoy!


Ross