Computer Hardware Recycling
The constant advances in computing technology have seen a corresponding problem of computing equipment becoming quickly obsolete. Computers that are more than 3 years old will be noticeably clunkier than a computer that has been manufactured in the last few months. As such, it is a feature of the information age that both companies and individuals need to update their computer hardware on a fairly regular basis if they wish to take advantage of the latest software applications and communications innovations such as broadband and videoconferencing. This in turn has created a problem of what one should do with the old computer hardware. On this page we will consider the issue of computer hardware recycling. Before looking more closely at computer hardware recycling, it is worthwhile noting why it so important to do something rather than nothing. Latest studies on the subject have concluded that currently less than 20% of old computer equipment is being recycled. The computer hardware that isn’t being recycled is either being stored, gathering dust on the tops of cupboards or in garages, or even more perniciously is being disposed of in landfill. Companies that are storing old computers are exposing themselves to a raft of hidden costs.. It is actually more expensive to continue to store old computers than it is to properly dispose of them – when you take into account the cost of storage space, the cost of securing old systems to comply with federal privacy laws and other administration costs. There are the also environmental concerns associated with the stockpiling of large quantities of obsolete computers. The systems can break down and leak hazardous materials into the air, soil and groundwater should they catch on fire or be subject to some other natural disaster such as a flood. The greater problem however, lies in disposing of this old computer equipment in a thoughtless fashion. Computer hardware that isn’t taken care of by an authorized computer recycler is most likely to end up in landfills and become toxic waste. A computer is made up of plastic, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals (lead, cadmium, antimony, beryllium, chromium and mercury), electronic boards (gold, palladium, silver and platinum) and glass – in short, materials (many of which are toxic) which don’t break down naturally. A standard sized cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor contains more than two kilos of lead. The toxicity of lead has been well known for centuries. The best option when dealing with old computer equipment is to either donate it (computer hardware less than 5 years old can generally be donated) or to recycle it. Companies who are looking to dispose of large volumes of computer hardware (and other electronic scrap) they should really get in contact with an authorized computer recycler. The hallmark of the computer recycler’s business model is that of responsible destruction. They will salvage all useful computer parts before breaking down what’s left, safely removing all hazardous materials in the process. There will usually be a fee charged by these recyclers to accept old computer equipment (particularly when it comes to monitors) but the cost of disposal will be significantly less than the cost of not disposing of the computer hardware – both in terms of direct business costs and potential costs to the environment.
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