A very common question I get asked is “thanks for setting up my shiny new systems, now what do I do with the old gear.” Once upon a time I would fire up Google and search for an e-waste recycling depot close by. But these days it’s much easier. My first response is always to wipe the disks, and then write zero’s a few times – or to remove the disks. Beyond that, if the gear can be sold then I’m a strong proponent of trying to eek out a little more ROI by flipping it (Reuse) on a used site such as the Recycler, Craigslist or eBay. That’s sometimes not an option given certain corporate policies or given that sometimes you’ve just used the gear until there’s simply no value left. Also, charitable giving is always an option, assuming the equipment still has some value to the charity you’re considering giving it to. Next I look to recycle or properly dispose of the waste. For that, if it’s Apple gear then they’re usually more than happy to take it back. For more information on that, check out this site. If it isn’t Apple gear, then another corporate entity with lots of locations is Best Buy (who will typically take Apple gear too btw). They too are more than happy to take old gear, with a few exceptions. For more on their programs, check out this site.
If you don’t have a lot of equipment then check out ewaste.com. They’re usually going to be able to connect you to someone who can take it all off your hands. If you’re in the midst of a mass deployment though, you might have a few thousand systems to unload. In that case, rather than deal with the old gear reactively, try and negotiate disposal in the contract for acquiring your new assets. You typically have a little wiggle room there and most organizations will take your old equipment and figure out what to do with it in order to close the sale.
But whatever you do, please don’t take those old CRT monitors and 4GB Quantum Fireballs and chuck them in the trash. We have enough superfund sites without going out and making new ones out of every land fill in the world!