What to Do with Old Monitors

If you’ve had a number of computers, you probably have a number of computer monitors sitting around your home. But what can you do with these old monitors? Often, they’re too small to be of much use to you (especially after you’ve used a larger monitor) or the colors or clarity isn’t as good as newer monitors. Some monitors may not even work any more. But you don’t want them to sit in the closet and gather dust. Here are a few uses for old monitors.

Trash them. Like any old or broken item, you may want to throw your old monitors away. However, it is VERY important to note that you cannot simply throw them in a garbage bin or haul them off to the city dump. Monitors, especially older monitors, contain hazardous chemicals and other materials that can’t be thrown in a public landfill. Instead, your city should have a specific department or location to take monitors and other devices with hazardous materials in them. Occasionally, your city may also have a special weekend every few months for throwing away monitors and other items. Check with your city garbage department for more information.

If you still have a monitor that works, there are a number of other options. There are a number of charities that take used computer equipment and either give it to those who need or sell it very cheaply to low-income families. These charities will usually take any working equipment and some equipment that doesn’t work if it is repairable. In addition to getting rid of your unwanted monitors and other computer equipment, you can often write these expenses off as a charitable contribution on your taxes. That’s a great extra benefit, plus giving your old stuff to those in need is a great feeling.

If you can’t find a charity to donate your used equipment to, there are refurbished computer stores that will take your monitors and other equipment. These stores repair or refurbish the items and then re-sell them to consumers at a slightly lower price than a new monitor would cost. Sometimes, these stores will even give you store credit or offer you other refurbished equipment in trade. If you’re looking for a cheap printer, scanner, or other piece of equipment, you might think about trading in your old monitors for one at a refurbishing shop.

Of course, if you don’t want to deal with finding a charity or refurbishing store and don’t want to hassle with finding the hazardous waste location, one easy way to get rid of your old monitors is to either have a yard sale or offer the monitor to friends or family. An older, smaller monitor may be perfect for a young niece or nephew who needs his or her first computer. It may also be useful for an older relative who just needs a computer to check email.

No matter what you do with your old monitors, just remember to never dispose of them with regular garbage. The chemicals inside them can be dangerous, plus you can be fined for dumping monitors in with other trash.