Washington Apple Pi

A Community of Apple iPad, iPhone and Mac Users

Washington Apple Pi Donations

Washington Apple Pi is a non-profit organization dating back to 1978. Our main source of income is from membership fees, but like any organization, we have projects and plans that can benefit from monetary donations and certain types of equipment and software. Note: donations to the Pi are not tax deductible.

Monetary donations can be made online, at our meetings, or by mailing donations to:

Washington Apple Pi, Ltd.
P.O. Bo 6800
Silver Spring, MD 20916-6800

Computer Reclamation Project and MacRecycleClinic

The Reclamation Project of Washington Apple Pi began in 1993, returning unused Apple and Macintosh computer assets to the metro-Washington community. Donated computers refurbished by a group of member volunteers were placed in schools, daycare centers, group homes, with families, and veterans who could not otherwise afford a computer.

Space considerations required Washington Apple Pi to discontinue this program, but we have partnered with MacRecycleClinic (MRC), made up of current and former Pi members, to continue this effort. 

MRC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit; thus, your donations are tax deductible. 

Examples of computer equipment that is accepted by MacRecycleClinic:

• 2010 and newer Macintosh computers including iMacs, Mac Minis and MacBook Pros;
• Keyboards, mice, power supplies and working monitors;
• Chromebooks with chargers;
• iDevices like iPads and iPhones - but you MUST disassociate the device from your iCloud account;
• MRC does NOT take older Mac towers, printers or other computer peripherals like scanners, etc. as there is little call for these.
• Please fill out the Contact Us page on the macrecycleclinic.org website or call (301)-593-4004 (leave a message) to see if your equipment qualifies for donation.

Donation Requests and Repairs

• Refurbished computers are donated back to the community by request;
• MRC is not a retail operation;
• The MRC Clinic is on hiatus during the pandemic but use the Contact Us page if you need assistance to obtain repairs for an out-of-warranty Mac or Chromebook.

For more information, directions, etc. about the Mac Recycle Clinic please see the Web site.

Other recycling options

If you have computer and other electronic equipment that does not qualify, and live in Montgomery County, Maryland, you can take your old equipment to the Shady Grove Transfer Station.  OneMontgomeryGreen has also held recycling events in the past where they take computers and other electronics for recycling. Howard County has an eCycle program as does Fairfax County. 

Maryland offers a website covering e-cycling state-wide.

If you are disposing of a PC computer that runs on the Windows operating system, please contact Phoenix Computers in Rockville. Like MRC, they refurbish PCs for return to the community though they do charge a small fee for their computers. They take computer donations by appointment only.

If you prefer to donate your equipment to a national organization, Apple has a free trade-in recycling program for U.S. customers who want to purchase a new computer or iDevice. Not all Apple computers or iDevices are eligible so please check their website. Big Box stores like Best Buy and Home Depot will also take electronics and even ink cartridges.