Did you get a new computer or gaming system for Christmas? Wondering what to do with the old one? Goodwill Omaha has a no-cost answer.
The nonprofit is accepting household donations of computers, gaming systems and computer components such as CPUs, modems, monitors, laptops and printers — working or not.
The donations are tax deductible, so these final days of the year are a great time to get rid of old electronics, said Randy Parks, chief operating officer for Goodwill Omaha.
Donations can be dropped off at any Goodwill retail store and donation center in the Omaha metro area. All information will be safely wiped clean, and computer equipment will be recycled or resold in the Goodwill's computer store, GoodBytes at 72nd and F Streets.
Since GoodBytes opened about 18 months ago, Parks said, "Sales have really taken off."
Goodwill Omaha partners with Dell Reconnect, a program that ensures computer systems and accessories are refurbished or recycled responsibly.
"Dell Reconnect has allowed us to take in more computers than we have before," Parks said. 'They make sure all recycling is done properly."
If the computers are modern and in good shape, their hard drives are wiped clean, software is downloaded to them and they are resold. GoodBytes typically has about 30 computers for sale at a time, Parks said.
"You can get a really decent computer for around $200 or less," he said. "GoodBytes has been a huge benefit, especially for college students. Every year we get a big rush of college students who need computers for research papers, and these systems work great for that."
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