Mac Recycling Guide

Disassembling Macs can be a long and arduous process. Thankfully, there exists hugely extensive documentation provided by both Apple and its many communities that detail the steps required for just about any kind of Mac you'll encounter.

The purpose of this page is to aggregate links to resources on specific models, as well as instructions for Free Geek volunteers and staff.

Models

eMac

These are CRT all-in-one systems, and require extensive surgery to extract the hard drive. These are auto-recycled by virtue of their CRT and G4 processors.

Resources

• HDD removal instructions
• iFixit Device Page
• EveryMac Device Page

Recylcing Criteria

AUTO-RECYCLE

Tally as System w/ CRT

Recycling procedure

1. Remove the HDD.
2. Remove the RAM, Logic Board, Airport Card, and any incidental enclosures.
3. Send to the Monitor Tetris Queue in the Warehouse.

iMac

iMacs are a long-lived series of All-in-one Systems that combine displays with a logic and/or motherboards, optical drives and hard drives, among other components.

• EveryMac iMac Index

iMac G3 (CRT)

Similar to eMacs, these are CRT all-in-one systems, although they are easier to disassemble than eMacs. These are auto-recycled by virtue of their CRT and G3 processors.

Resources

• HDD Removal guide (w/ photos)
• iFixit Device Page

Recycling Criteria

AUTO-RECYCLE

Tally as System w/ CRT

Recycling procedure

1. Remove the HDD.
2. Remove the RAM, Logic Board and any incidental enclosures.
3. Send to the Monitor Tetris Queue in the Warehouse.

iMac G4 (LCD)

This is the first generation of LCD All-in-one Systems. These are distinguished by their semi-spherical base, which houses its logic board, drives, and other components. Currently we recycle iMac G4's with processors

Resources

iFixit Device page (HDD Removal guides)

Recycling Criteria

Processor ≥ 1.25 → As-Is

Processor < 1.25 GHz → Recycle

Tally as System w/ LCD

Recycling procedure

1. Remove the HDD
2. Remove the Airport Card, RAM, Optical Drive, and any incidental enclosures
3. Send to the All-in-one System shelf in the Warehouse, across from the Sign-in Desk