Do Your Part: The What, Why, How of Computer Recycling
With more and more people becoming aware of the need to conserve natural resources and keep our environment clean, recycling old computers has become incredibly popular. But what is computer recycling, exactly? Why is it so important? And, most importantly, where are a few places you can take a computer to be recycled?
What is Computer Recycling?
Well, as the name suggests, computer recycling is the process of extracting valuable secondary raw materials from obsolete computers. With technological advancements increasing at a seemingly exponential rate, computers are becoming obsolete faster and faster. The EPA estimates that 30 to 40 million personal computers are ready for recycling each year. But because of the source material used to make them, simply throwing away your old computer can be dangerous and harmful to the environment. Depending on their age, computers can contain such toxic materials as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and radioactive isotopes. They also contain valuable materials worth recovering, such as gold, tin, aluminum, iron, silicon, copper, and an array of different plastics.
Why Recycle Computers?
It is estimated that an average computer monitor may hold more than 6% lead by weight. When you discard a computer monitor or circuit board, most of that lead ends up leaching into the groundwater surrounding a landfill or becoming air pollution if the monitor is incinerated. Some companies ship their outdated computer monitors and circuit boards to developing nations that have few or no environmental protection regulations.
This only moves the problem. It doesn’t fix it.
Computer recycling and repair companies are the only sure way to know that your old monitor or circuit board will be taken care of; either repaired and resold or properly broken-down and discarded.
Where do I Recycle Computers?
There are a number of different kinds of services available for people looking to get rid of an old computer. One of the more popular options is consumer recycling. Consumer recycling involves either sending broken or obsolete machines back to their manufacturers, donating them to charitable organizations, or sending the separated components to environmentally responsible recyclers. There are a number of national and local organizations that help with consumer recycling. The Computer TakeBack Campaign and the Electronic TakeBack Coalition are both decentralized coalitions of organizations dedicated to minimizing so-called “e-waste” by helping people properly dispose of their old computers.
Many organizations also help connect computer donations with charitable organizations that may use them. The Donate Hardware list on the TechSoup website is a great resource for finding nonprofit and school-based recyclers in your area. They also list commercial recyclers, which are better suited for broken computers or models over five years old.
Of course, some computer companies offer take-back programs. These programs allow you to send your outdated computer back to the manufacturer where it will either be repaired, refurbished, or properly disposed of. Hewlett-Packard is one company that offers such a service. In addition to their take-back program, HP also often offers a coupon good towards the purchase of a new computer or computer components. Many companies offer such benefits as a way to encourage computer recycling instead of dumping.
The best way to be sure if a nonprofit or commercial recycling organization is properly disposing of e-waste is to make sure they have signed the Basel Action Network (BAN) pledge. Among other things, the BAN pledge states that companies or charitable organizations will not allow hazardous waste to be sent to landfills, incinerators, prisons, or developing countries. These companies and organizations also pledge to support forward-thinking toxic-use reduction programs and legislation. A great local example of a BAN supporter is the local Portland non-profit Free Geek. Free Geek not only provides recycling and refurbishing services and resources, they also provide used computers, education and industry training to volunteers in exchange for their work. Free Geek works with environmentally responsible industrial recyclers for computers or computer components they can’t fix themselves.
The field of computer technology is moving a mile a minute. With all the advancements being made each year it is easy to feel like your brand new computer is already obsolete. Luckily, getting rid of that obsolete model doesn’t mean you have to negatively impact the environment — or your checkbook. Look for the computer recycling program nearest you and feel good knowing you did your part to help eliminate e-waste.
~Ben Nystrom, 2009
