Computer Recycling
A computer that’s working can be your best friend, but after it’s processed its last byte, then nothing is uglier than a computer that doesn’t work. But even uglier are the dangerous carcinogens and chemicals that are inside.
And disposing of the computer improperly can be harmful, not just for Mother Nature, but for people who come in contact with those toxins, that’s why computer recycling is so important.
Outdated computers can be an excellent source for obtaining important raw materials when they’re treated correctly, but they can be a source of poisonous chemicals if treated incorrectly.
As of the most recent numbers, electronics waste constituted about two percent of all of the UKs landfill. That does not sound too bad until you consider that it constitutes 70 percent of all toxic waste.
Recycling electronics is not as simple as recycling paper or cans, more and more companies and local and national government are understanding the need for recycling services and doing their part to make it easier for you.
Finding a good recycling centre is easier than ever, you can find them by doing a Google search on your city name along with “computer recycling.” Or you can call the local tip or even a local electronics retailer, any of these options will typically yield favourable results.
Once you find a recycler, don’t just dump your stuff on them, a good recycler will be able to inform you what’s done with the hardware and how it handles the destruction of any data that’s on the computer. It’s safest if you use a recycler or organization which thoroughly wipes your old hard drive so that no unscrupulous person can get your personal information from it.
If you decide to donate your computer to a non-profit group or school for use, ask the representative if they test the equipment first. Or if you’re donating the computer to some other organization which ships it to a non-profit, ask who they expect will get the computer. If they say they don’t know or they refuse to tell, you might want to send the equipment somewhere else.
One of the best choices for recycling your computer is your computer manufacturer itself. Most people don’t know it, but many of these manufacturers offer some form of recycling, although they typically charge a small fee, also, they’ll expect you to pay for the packaging and shipping. But this may not be the case if they come under the EU’s WEEE Directive, which makes them pay for everything.
Online auction service eBay hosts The Rethink Program, a decent computer recycling service which points you to many excellent recyclers.
If you’re recycling your printer, be sure to remove the cartridges. Many office supply stops now offer a service in which they will refill the cartridge for a fraction of the cost of buying a new ink cartridge. This is a form of “recycling” that will save you money in the process.
Computer recycling might be a minor inconvenience, but it’s a major favour to the future of the planet.
