How should we dispose of outmoded computer equipment?

Summary:

You need to keep records and make sure there are no grounds for concluding that insiders took advantage of the situation for personal gain.

Chip M. Watkins wrote in the Cyber-Accountability listserve (see hhttp://charitychannel.com/collaborate/wa.exe?SUBED1=cyb-acc&A=1) on September 2, 1998:
Some problems are more easily solved than others. Practically speaking,
broken or obsolete equipment can be disposed of in any way you want,
especially if the cost of repair would be significant in relation to the
cost of new equipment (which, given the relative cost of new equipment
and repairs, I assume it always will be.

I, too, hate to throw out old equipment that could be repaired, but when
the cost of new equipment, which functions better than the old ever did,
is less than the cost of repair, what choice do I have?

You will do well to keep records regarding the disposal of old equipment,
particularly that given to individuals or for-profit businesses.
Document the fact of obsolescence or inoperability, and that the method
of disposal was reasonable.

Do not dispose of this equipment to anyone who would be a disqualified
person under the Intermediate Sanctions rules, or who otherwise has a business relationship with the organization, unless they pay you at least salvage value.

Chip Watkins

For more about "intermediate sanctions" see the Nonprofit FAQ item at http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/18/13.html.

See also the list of organizations that accept used equipment for repair and re-use at http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/05/19.html.