Reusing and Donating Electronics: Preventing waste in the first place is usually preferable to any waste management option...including recycling. Donating electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products and keeps them out of the waste management system for a longer time. Reuse, in addition to being an environmentally preferable alternative, also benefits society. By donating your used electronics, you allow schools, non-profit organizations, and lower-income families to use equipment that they otherwise could not afford. As a household or a business, you may be able to take advantage of tax incentives for computer equipment donations. The 21st Century Classrooms Act for Private Technology Investment encourages large companies to donate computer equipment to public and private schools. When donating equipment to a non-profit organization, inquire about documentation that can be applied toward your income tax return. Before donating your computer or other electronics, make sure the equipment is reusable. Donation organizations have limited resources and employees to diagnose and repair hardware. A functional, working system, especially with monitor, wiring, and software licenses, is a lot more useful and requires less upgrading than a non-working, incomplete computer. Check to see what the donation organization’s minimum computer requirements are. Donation organizations may not accept (or may charge a fee for) older, less useful equipment. The most appropriate donation organization to handle a computer can vary from area to area. In some cases, the most viable donation organization may be a charity, but in other areas, the appropriate donation organization may be the local school district or materials exchange.