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
- Recylcing Criteria
- AUTO-RECYCLE
- Tally as System w/ CRT
- Recycling procedure
- Remove the HDD.
- Remove the RAM, Logic Board, Airport Card, and any incidental enclosures.
- 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.
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
- Recycling Criteria
- AUTO-RECYCLE
- Tally as System w/ CRT
- Recycling procedure
- Remove the HDD.
- Remove the RAM, Logic Board and any incidental enclosures.
- 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
- Recycling Criteria
- No video output
- No chime
- Tally as System w/ LCD
- Recycling procedure
- Remove the HDD
- Remove the Airport Card, RAM, Optical Drive, and any incidental enclosures
- Send to the All-in-one System shelf in the Warehouse, across from the Sign-in Desk