The majority of computers and cell phones manufactured today aren't designed to last, but instead to be used for a few years and then replaced. This happens for a few reasons, one of them being software companies that are constantly writing ever-more-complicated code with more bells and whistles which require beefier hardware to run. The other is a concept known as Moore's law, which says that processors can shrink and speed up exponentially. This is great in the sense of the amazing amount of computing power now available to an individual via their home computer, but it creates a troubling environmental problem known as e-waste.

E-waste is what happens to all of the devices that we upgrade from and no longer use. That old Pentium computer sitting in the garage has almost no resale value and is likely to end up in a dumpster. The problem with this is that they contain heavy metals and toxins that really shouldn't end up in a landfill.

Luckily, more and more people are seeking out recyclers for their old computers and electronics equipment. CRT (aka not flat-screen) monitors in particular are troublesome, not just because they are so heavy, but because that weight comes from a heavy coating of lead inside the glass.

There are a number of different e-waste recyclers currently operating in Central Ohio. Most of them are just taking apart the equipment and re-selling what they can on the market.

One particular recycler has a different mission. That is FreeGeek Columbus, a 501c3 non-profit that has been operating since 2005. The mission of FreeGeek is to ethically recycle old computers and also to promote free software and hands-on training and access to technology for everyone regardless of their income level. FreeGeek takes donations of computers from both individuals and corporations and through an entirely volunteer staff sorts and tests them. For volunteers who put in 20 hours and take a class they can take one home. FreeGeek also gives grants of computers to local non-profits that apply.

FreeGeek also utilizes something known as Free Software and specifically Ubuntu Linux to provide people with an operating system that works and doesn't require you to constantly buy upgraded hardware to run. Ubuntu is developed through the cooperation of an international community of geeks, tinkerers and software developers, and it has the added benefit of being a lot more secure than Windows, so novice users are less likely to end up with a virus and think they need a new computer. This helps FreeGeek to curb some of the impetus to upgrade based upon bells and whistles. Moore's law means that more and more machines every day that would have cost thousands just a few years ago.

FreeGeek Columbus doesn't actually have its own recycling equipment as they are located in the basement of the Summit United Methodist Church at 82 E. 16th Ave. They contract with local recyclers who handle the actual recycling and pledge not to ship any of the equipment overseas. China and other Asian countries have been flooded with shipping containers full of last year’s latest and greatest, which many times ends up being recycled in very unsafe and environmentally dirty conditions.

If you are interested in having your computer not just recycled, but potentially reused, then you can drop off your hardware (computers, printers, monitors, handhelds, accessories) any time during the open hours of FreeGeek. They are currently open most evenings except Wed. and Sun., but since they are volunteer-run this is prone to change and the best way to find out the current hours is to go to http://FreeGeekcolumbus.org. You can also check out how to take classes or get involved in discussions and volunteering at this site.

And before you feel like you need to buy a new computer just to run the latest operating system, you might want to consider trying Ubuntu Linux on for size.