How to donate or recycle old office equipment

Most offices are full of junk that’s built up over the years. That is completely normal in a dynamic, fast-paced business atmosphere. However, it can make commercial relocation more complicated than it needs to be. So, if you’re planning to move your business to a new location, start by eliminating everything but the items you truly need. These items include office furniture, office supplies, as well as office equipment. We’ll tell you why and how to donate or recycle old office equipment so that only the essentials are left for the moving company to take.

Why donate or recycle old office equipment?

Easier relocation

Decluttering is an essential part of moving preparations. When moving office, the first thing we should do is decide what stays and what goes. This step has various benefits. First, the cost of relocation will be cut. This is a huge advantage when moving from Florida on a budget. Second, with fewer items to pack and carry, you’ll save a lot of energy. Consequently, the job will be done sooner, and the sooner you finish relocating, the sooner you’ll start working again.

Tax deduction

Another perk of donating or recycling old office equipment is that you can deduct this on next year’s tax return if you save your receipt. This is an excellent strategy to save money on a business move every company should adopt.  So, always ask for a tax receipt from the organization for tax purposes and don’t wait for them to offer the receipt. Bear in mind that not all organizations provide tax receipts, although many of them do. With a tax receipt, you can promote your business as a “green” enterprise that protects the environment, which brings us to the most important benefit of donating or recycling old office equipment…

Environmental protection

Most importantly, in addition to personal benefits, you’ll be saving the planet. We should all do our best to reduce our e-waste footprint. Twenty-five states have already introduced mandatory recycling laws that require everyone to recycle electronics. A lot of the materials used in making office equipment, such as glass, plastic, and metal, can be recovered and reused. Moreover, office equipment can contain dangerous, toxic substances (mercury, lead, cadmium, etc) that have to be disposed of with the utmost care. There are safe methods for disposing of electronic waste, regardless of where you live.

What can you do with your old office equipment?

Donate

There are many green local and cross country movers Florida can be proud of. We’re talking about those who have connections to local charities which can take your unwanted items, including office supplies. Therefore, make sure to ask your movers if they collaborate with such organizations. If they do, getting rid of your office equipment will be even easier. 

• Donate old office equipment to charities. You can find many charities and nonprofits that would be willing to take your old office equipment off your hands. You can do this regardless of whether your equipment is functioning or not.
• Donate it to local schools. A school will certainly find a good use for your office equipment, especially computers. For example, low-income students could use them. Also, all students could learn about machines and how they work by disassembling them.
• Donate it to your own team. Do you have employees who are struggling financially? Maybe single parents or fresh college graduates? They will definitely appreciate your functioning equipment.

Recycle

• Take your equipment to a recycler. A lot of nonprofit organizations and local communities will help you recycle old office equipment. All you need to do is find a drop-off location near you. Also, there are collection days for electronics in many towns and cities across the country.
• Take your office equipment to a tech firm. Numerous tech manufacturers and retailers also have recycling programs. For example, there is Sprint’s Buyback program and Apple’s GiveBack program. Best Buy, Amazon and Office Depot also have similar offers. In addition to helping you get rid of your old office electronics, they’ll give you valuable gift cards or in-store credit.

Organize a computer art day

This may be a little out of the ordinary but it is a wonderfully creative way to get rid of the equipment that is no longer functioning. There is practically nothing talented artists cannot make out of old electronics – lamps, desk clocks, benches, mail boxes, even coffee machines. You can invite artists to play with your old office equipment and make cool, new stuff for the new office location.

Organizations that can help you donate or recycle old office equipment

• TechSoup is a nonprofit that provides low-cost and free software, equipment and tech services for other tax-exempt nonprofits. It works with over 600 Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers (MARs) that take donations from individuals, although it also collaborates with providers for large-scale donations. Computers that are donated to MARs are repaired before being sent to nonprofits and assistance organizations all over the globe.
• Computers With Causes claim that your computer donation is completely tax deductible and that it will help families in need throughout the country. They take desktop computers, laptops, tablets, servers, even printers and game consoles. They will repair, refurbish, and prepare your items for the cause they support.
• The World Computer Exchange collaborates with over 450 partner organizations, a consortium of 25 strategic allies, and many informal allies in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. They will take only functioning items that meet a number of criteria. For instance, donated monitors must be 15- to 19-inch color models, not more than nine years old. They accept parts, keyboards, tablets, mice, cables, power cords, mobile phones, and scanners, too.