Computer recycling: what you need to know

Guest Author:  Daniel Johansson

Recycling is one of the best ways in which to have a positive impact upon the world in which we live in. Recycling is highly beneficial for the natural environment and human beings. The amount of the rubbish we create and dump into the environment is rapidly increasing everyday, which is having a horrendous effect on the environment, resulting in global warming and the increase in temperature rise.

The reasons why we are creating more waste are due to; increase in wealth, therefore we have more money to buy products, resulting in more waste. Increase in population means, there are more people creating waste. New packaging and technological products are being developed, much of these products contain materials that are not biodegradable.

Recycling is incredibly important as waste has an extremely negative blow upon the ecosystem. Harmful chemicals and greenhouse gasses are released from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste. Habitat destruction and global warming are some the affects caused by deforestation. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials so that the rainforests can be preserved.

The production of computer parts involves numerous chemicals which are highly dangerous to our health and surroundings. The Information Technology production industry has enormous carbon imprints; however the carbon imprints can be reduced through recycling of computer components.

In order to produce computer parts the IT industry uses raw dwindling resources and materials which are already relatively scarce. It is a well known fact that major companies only keep IT equipment for around 3 years and then dispose of it. Most of the IT equipment is in good condition and can be reused and deployed in the use of charities, homes, schools etc.

Recycling can help in the deployment of old computers, computer components and other computer related equipment, recycling redundant and damaged computers can be turned into component metals which can then go towards building new computer or fixing damaged machines.

Most of the environmental concerns which lie with inappropriate disposal of computers are the monitor. Each colour monitor contains on an average of 4 to 5 pounds of lead. Other chemicals found in computers are mercury, cadmium a known carcinogen and Hexavalent Chromium which is known to cause high blood pressure, iron-poor blood, liver disease, and nerve and brain damage in animals.

Organisations such as Oxfam have set up schemes where other charities and schools in the third world can benefit from old disposed computers. Oxfam collect old computers in order to raise money to help those in need. By disposing of computers in this way, you can help the environment and decrease the population levels. Also at the same time companies can feel good about the way they have disposed computers, knowing that they are helping others.

It is very important to recycle computers, due to high number of computers being disposed of incorrectly or just stored away, is increasing the risk of polluting the environment with unfriendly toxins and excess waste.

Basically any part / component of a computer can be recycled, the keyboard, mouse, printer and monitor. The steel cases can be sold on for scrap metals, as can the chassis of the computer, floppy drive chassis, hard drive cases and drive platters. Heat sinks have to be separated out during the recycling process due to their high aluminium alloy content and these are recycled separately and for less money per kilo nonetheless still worth a cash value.

Just by correctly disposing products can help the environment greatly. By doing this you are also doing your bit to help fight against global warming, habitat destruction and deforestation. All things which are harmful to us and the future generations that have to live on this planet. Due to vast amount of computer waste, computers could become more expensive, due to European laws may force makers to recycle old machines and computer hardware in order to help the environment.

Computer experts have warmed when the new laws are put into force overall computer prices may levitate to anything between $50 to $100. This may force companies into leasing computers to reduce their CPA, and bring down cost in general.

Overall disposing of computers correctly by recycling parts and components could result in a better cleaner less toxic environment. Cleaner environment means less global warming, habitat destruction and deforestation. Also reducing the amount of raw materials needed in order to produce these machines. It is therefore highly important to dispose of the computer in the right place. In many countries dumping of electronic equipment in many areas is banned due to highly toxic chemicals in some components.

About the Author:

Daniel Johansson is an Internet technologist who believes that effective computer equipment recycling represents a major step towards minimising the damage that is inflicted on our planet today. http://www.computerdisposals.co.uk/