LONGWOOD -- An effort is under way to collect old and unwanted computers and other electronics for charity, distributing anything that still works.
The parking lot at Northland Church began to look like a dumping ground for old electronics as churchgoers dropped off unwanted computers, keyboards and cell phones during a three-day, churchwide effort to be charitable, and to educate.
"You always wonder what to do with things," said Cindy Mallin, who dropped off a computer monitor she was no longer using. "You don't want to use it to fill up the landfills, but you don't know where to take it, but having someone here to make it convenient to drop it off, and knowing someone can put it to good use is awesome."
The church said it believes many people who received new printers, monitors and other electronics over the holidays are now disposing their older models.
Organizers said most electronics that make it to a landfill will not erode in most people's lifetimes, and anything they collect that can be repackaged will be donated.
"It's reused, and that's serving God's purpose, because we haven't put stuff in the landfill," said Bob Giguere, a member of the Creation Care Task Force, the group that organized the effort. "We've repurposed it, and we've helped someone that needs help."
Church officials told News 13 they have partnered with a few different agencies to test if the equipment is still usable. If something is not in working condition, it will be taken to the appropriate agency for proper disposal.
How You Can Donate
Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Find out where to recycle your Household Hazardous Waste.
Northland Church is accepting donations at various locations in Central Florida until Monday: