xbiz world
xbiz premiere

Recycle or Rethink

As 2006 begins and new electronics come parading out from under the tree, the time is now to think about what to do with your old computers, printers and monitors. According to the U.S. EPA, nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years, and only 11 percent of personal computers retired in the U.S. are recycled. Many of these systems end up in foreign countries to have their circuit boards stripped of precious metals in a process that creates harmful gasses and waste that will be around for decades. Here are seven tips for recycling or reusing old computers.

1. Any equipment that is not working or is obsolete should be tagged for recycling. (Don't know if it's obsolete? Look at the box. If it's a PC, does it say "Pentium"? If it's a Mac, does it say "G4" or "G5"? No? Then it's obsolete.) Recyclers are businesses or organizations that remove useful parts and then break down the rest of the materials, as we do with bottles and cans. They also safely remove hazardous materials. Note: Some of these organizations may charge a fee to accept old PCs and equipment for recycling, especially computer monitors. For more info visit www.electronicsrecycling.org.

2. Did you know some major electronics chains offer recycling opportunities and, for working items, sometimes give store credit that can be used to purchase DVDs and other goodies? Check the links below for more info: communications.bestbuy.com and www.radioshackcorporation.com.

3. Upgrade you computer. For less than the price of a new computer — about $500 when this issue went to press — we found that you could get a 100-gigabyte harddrive and a motherboard kit that would turn an old computer into a turbocharged rocket. A little extra random access memory or RAM can also caffeinate a sluggish system at a reasonable price.

4. Don't be so quick to throw away that old monitor! Most modern computers make it easy to plug in and use a two-monitor display, which makes any desk look like a high-tech command center. That's fun and addictive even if you're not a graphic artist!

5. Turn an old computer into a custom entertainment system for your den, garage or office lounge. We went to www.pcclub.com and found that for a few hundred bucks you could take an older system (Pentium II or above) and turn it into a custom DVD / Surround sound / Gaming / Television system. Just follow this simple recipe. 1. Live Theater 5.1 Surround Sound Card = $20 2. MSI TV anywhere Plus TV Tuner = $40 3. Used 36" Monitor on E-bay = $100.00 4. CREATIVE INSPIRE P5800 5.1 SPEAKERS = $70 5. Classic Arcade CD Software = $30 Total $230

6. Turn an old PC into a classic iPod doc. In a recent Popular Mechanics issue, a man took an old 1940s radio cabinet and installed a small computer, monitor and some nice speakers and had a classic looking sound system to play all of his favorite tunes from his iPod.

7. If all else fails, decommission your old hard drive tower and use it as an ultra-modern bedside table.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Leah Koons

If you’ve been to an industry event lately, odds are you’ve heard Leah Koons even before you’ve seen her. As Fansly’s director of marketing, Koons helps steer one of the fastest-growing creator platforms on the web.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business has not quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
opinion

More Than Money: Why Donating Time Matters for Nonprofits

The adult industry faces constant legal battles, societal stigma and workplace challenges. Fortunately, a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to protect the rights and well-being of adult performers, producers and industry workers. When folks in the industry think about supporting these groups, donating money is naturally the first solution that comes to mind.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform

The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

Payment Systems: Facilitator vs. Gateway Explained

Understanding and selecting the right payment platform can be confusing for anyone. Recently, Segpay launched its payment gateway. Since then, we’ve received numerous questions about the difference between a payment facilitator and a payment gateway. Most merchants want to know which type of platform best meets their business needs.

Cathy Beardsley ·
Show More