Whether you have purchased new computer equipment or you have a used toner cartridge, it is important to dispose of your electronics properly. In fact, legislation in your state may ban placement of many electronic products in landfills.

So, what do you do with that old cell phone or fax machine?

The good news is government entities, retail stores and manufacturers can collect your equipment to recycle. In some cases, you may earn credit toward a new purchase. You also can prevent pollution and conserve natural resources.

Here are some tools to help you dispose of recycle old office equipment:

How to dispose of and recycle old office equipment

Government Resources - You can search participants of the EPA's Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge online. Contact your local Environmental Management agency to learn more about local options for recycling electronics and office equipment.

Retail Stores – Many large retail stories like Target and Best Buy, and even local hardware stores have options for recycling equipment. Target offers a drop box for ink cartridges and cell phones at their entrance, and Best Buy offers a kiosk to help you recycle nearly all of your electronics.

Manufacturers – Dell and HP both offer programs for computer equipment and ink cartridges. The Apple Recycling Program allows you to recycle all of your retired Apple products. When you return an item to a manufacturer for recycling, you may even get a credit toward a new product!

Charity – Donate your old technology to non-profit organizations. The National Cristina Foundation offers a tool to help you to find local organizations who may need your equipment.

Before donating or recycling old computer equipment, I recommend that you securely remove any personal data. Microsoft Safety & Security Center provides a guide to help.

Where do you recycle your old office equipment and materials? Tell me about it in the comments below, on Twitter @nerdsquawk or via email at [email protected].

The opinions of Jessica Michael are not necessarily those of Farm Futures or the Penton Farm Progress Group.