Why we recycle computers [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Why we recycle computers [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Question by peacelove.cheese: What is the entire process of recycling computers (safely)? Start to finish, what happens to every single component of the computer, what is melted down, what is reused, how the recyclnig company wipes the hard drive, etc. Thanks! Best answer for What is the entire process of recycling computers (safely)?:

Answer by Adam S
This is a difficult question to completely answer because e-scrap recycling is still in it's "infancy" compared to other types and is constantly being improved technologically. For the most part the e-scrap recycling process follows the path outlined below: The equipment comes in and is visually tested. Those items that have potential resale value are sent to those individuals who are responsible for testing. If the item tests positive, it gets bulked with similar items. Most of the good, usable items are bulked and sold on the secondary market as "used" items. If the material doesn't pass the first test, then it goes to the de-manufacturing area. Items in this area are stripped down to the component level. The processors, memory chips, components (such as fans, heat sinks, connectors, etc.) are all bulked together and also sold on the secondary market. The metal casings tend to be sold to local scrap dealers. The circuit boards are consolidated together for shipment to a smelter. At the smelter, these are melted down and separated into their component materials such as silica, gold, platimun, titanium, etc. These are sold as scrap materials on the secondary market. The major components of the e-scrap stream that can get slightly problematic are the glass (from the monitors) and the plastics. These materials are voluminous and have limited marketability. The lead glass goes to a smelter where the lead is removed from the glass and the two steams are marketed separately. With the institution of HD tv and the shift to flat-screen technology, there is a LOT of leaded glass hitting the market. The plastics present a similar issue because many of the e-scrap components (printers, scanners, keyboards, etc.) are manufactured from a significant amount of plastic. This material is recoverable. One of the main issues with plastic is that there are so many different chemical structures that, when mixed, they can be incompatible and therefore present an issue to recyclers. This is one issue that has been changing over the years. The amount of materials being used to create e-scrap has been reduced making the recycling of the various components easier to do. With regard to the hard-drives there are two ways that they are processed: one way is to completely strip them of all data and overwrite the hard-drive so it's completely blank. This is the process that is used on new technology where resale exists. The second method of processing includes drilling a whole through the hard-drive so that all of the discs inside are damaged (making it completely unreadable) and then recycling it with the scrap metal portion of the e-scrap waste stream. I hope this is helpful! Thanks, Adam

[recycling computers]

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme begins in South Australia today with the start of free recycling services in Adelaide. Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, visited the Beverley Waste and ... Environment: Free TV & Computer Recycling Scheme starts in South Australia

With new computers entering the market every now and then, many people keep changing computers to stay abreast with the latest in technology. Buying new computers is easy; getting rid of the old is the difficult part. It's not advisable to just dump your old computer in a landfill; it has to be recycled, and for many reasons.

The first reason for recycling computers is that computers are a major contributor to electronic waste. They have toxic components that are dangerous to the environment. However by recycling electronics, 95% of these materials can be diverted from landfills.

If old PC computer is left in landfills, the lead in its Cathode Ray Tubes will leach into the ground to poison the soil and water supplies. Besides lead, computer equipment contains other hazardous material like cadmium, mercury, lithium, beryllium and more.

By land filling all this, you end up poisoning the environment.

Moreover, electronic products are made from materials like precious and other metals, glass, engineered plastics and other materials that require energy for fabrication. As old TVs, monitors and computers are filled with toxic materials, most garbage collection firms don't accept them. You may get rid of your computer by leaving it at the curb; but remember that it only ends up in dumps, to again poison earth.

3. Not only are some computer parts dangerous, some of the parts can be refurbished and reused through recycling. By doing this, it will be possible to provide cheap information age tools to those who cannot afford it.

4.   Many computer and electronic companies today offer incentives for recycling computers in   exchange for your business.

Apple and Dell accept iPods and computers and monitors of any brand for free if you buy a similar product from them. Lenovo offers money back on some items while Toshiba accepts any Toshiba or other brand notebook at its shipping cost.

Many developed companies have been exporting electronic waste to countries like China for cheap recycling and disposal of e-waste. However this is actually illegal.

It's better to donate computers that are less than 5 years old to a nonprofit or school based refurbisher and not directly to schools or charity. The refurbisher will wipe out your hard drive and assess the condition of your equipment. When they supply these computers to schools and charity, they ensure it's in working condition and runs on legal software copies.

With so many answers to why we recycle computers, you too should recycle your old computer if you plan to buy a new one.

 

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