How to Dispose of a Scanner
By Nick Davis
Upgrading your company's scanner results in new equipment that offers more features and compatibility with newer applications and operating system versions, but the process also involves the task of disposing of your old scanner. When disposing of an old scanner, you can't just toss the device in your company's trash receptacle – the device contains metals that are harmful to the environment. There are a number of outlets that accept scanners and dispose them properly so they don't end up in landfills.
Goodwill
Place your old scanner in a box – the box your new scanner came in or your old scanner's original box are ideal. If you don't have a box, place the scanner in a heavy bag.
Take the scanner to your area Goodwill. Goodwill offers Dell Reconnect, an electronic waste recycling program that accepts old scanners, monitors, computers and other electronics no matter the brand. If you are unsure if a Goodwill is in your area, navigate your Internet browser to the Dell Reconnect page (see Resources) and enter your ZIP code in the Find a Drop-Off Location box. Click the “Go” button to search for a Goodwill in your area.
Ask for a receipt for your donation for tax purposes, if desired.
EPA Search
Place your old scanner in a box or a heavy bag.
Navigate your Internet browser to the EPA's Electronics Donation and Recycling Web page (see link in Resources) and scroll down to the Where to Donate or Recycle section. Click “PC” under the Electronic Device heading, and then click “Show all” under the Company heading to search for a recycling center in your area that accepts scanners if a Goodwill is not present in your area.
Click the “Search” button. Click on one of the search results to obtain the recycling center's address and hours.
Take your old scanner to the recycling center and ask for a receipt for your donation for tax purposes, if desired. Not all recycling centers offer a receipt for tax purposes.
Electronics Recycling Centers
Place your old scanner in a box or a heavy bag. Navigate your Internet browser to the “Electronics Recycling Centers” link (see Resources).
Enter “Scanner” in the Item box and enter your ZIP code in the Location box. Click the “Search” button.
Click on one of the search results links under the "Company/Event" heading to obtain the recycling center's or service's address and hours, and then take your old scanner to the recycling center or service. Ask for a receipt for your donation for tax purposes, if desired.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Nick Davis is a freelance writer specializing in technical, travel and entertainment articles. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Memphis and an associate degree in computer information systems from the State Technical Institute at Memphis. His work has appeared in "Elite Memphis" and "The Daily Helmsman" in Memphis, Tenn. He is currently living in Albuquerque, N.M.