On average, when a computer stops working they are thrown out with the trash. They end up in landfills and eventually leak toxins in the air and ground. This happens because most don’t know that a computer can be recycled. Computers can and should be recycled because of the toxic waste found in them. There are companies that recycle computers using a process to keep the toxins where they belong and not in the air or ground. For those who don’t want to go through the recycling process, computers can be donated to charity. Recycled computers can also be bought by those who can’t afford a new computer.
Not many people know what a computer is made of. Computers consist of twenty-three percent plastic, thirty-two percent ferrous metals, eighteen percent non-ferrous metals, twelve percent electronic boards, and fifteen percent glass.
When computers are demanufactured they are separated by plastics, glass, and metals. The toxins are disposed of in a safe manner so the toxins do not leak into the air, ground, or water ways. When computers are not disposed of properly they end up in landfills and these toxins leak into the ground and end up in the water.
Computer parts such as electronic circuit boards, batteries, and color cathode ray tubes can contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium. Each of these toxins can do damage to any person. Lead can damage the nervous system, reproductive system, and the kidneys. Mercury can cause brain damage. Hexavalent chromium can damage a person’s DNA. These toxins make it very dangerous for everyone if computers are not disposed of properly. When these toxins leak into the ground and the water, those who use the water can become ill or even die.
There are three different ways to recycle an old computer. Computers can be sent back to the manufactures to be recycled. They can be sent to a professional waste disposal facility. Computers can also be donated to non-profit organizations or schools. No matter which method is used to recycle the computer, there are steps than must be taken before the computer is sent off.
The first step is to see if the computer can be reused. Chances are if a computer is five years old or older, it can’t be reused. If it is a newer computer, less than five years old, it can be sent to a refurbisher. A refurbisher can make sure the computer is in good condition, wipe the hard drive, and dispose of electronic waste (e-waste) properly. Once the computer is in good working condition, the refurbisher will send the computer to a nonprofit organization or a school.
If the computer is more than five years old it should be sent to a recycler to be disposed of properly, not thrown away. If the computer is not disposed of properly toxins from the computer can get into the ground, air, and water. This is a health hazard for everyone. A recycler will insure that all hazardous wastes will be disposed of properly, as well as recyclable materials will be used. By doing this, less will be sent to landfills and no toxins will be sent.
It is best to contact the refurbisher or recycler before donating a computer to make sure they accept the type of computer being donated. Some recyclers and refurbishers only accept certain types of computers. It is best to call around until a refurbisher or recycler accepts the computer being donated. Recycling companies can also be found on the internet.
There are some refurbishers and recyclers that will only accept complete systems. Meaning, they want all the accessories with the computer. If possible include the mouse, keyboard, printer, modem, packaged software, and any other accessory used with the computer.
If possible, the operating system should remain intact. If the computer being donated was preinstalled with Microsoft operating system, the license is only valid with the computer it was originally installed on. Because most nonprofit organizations can not afford to purchase new systems, it best if the computer and operating systems stay together.
When donating computers, it is always a good idea to provide all of the original software and documents with the computer. By providing the original disks, media, Certificate of Authenticity sticker, user manual, and any other documents that came with the computer you are ensuring a legal transfer.
Before donating a computer, all personal information should be wiped clean from the hard drive. The most effective way to ensure that the hard drive is wiped clean and the information is unrecoverable is to use a disk cleaning utility that overwrites all sectors of the hard drive.
When donating a computer, some refurbishers and recyclers have designated locations for the computers to be dropped off at. There are some refurbishers and recyclers that will give delivery instructions that the donor must follow. These instructions will tell the donor what they need to do.
