http://www.care2.com/greenliving/dealing-with-obsolete-computers.html
Dealing With Obsolete Computers
posted by Annie B. Bond Jan 14, 1999 5:27 am
Schools and Goodwill stores used to be thrilled to be the recipient of a used computer. No more! Computers become obsolete so fast, that computers just a few years old can’t do much more that help in writing a letter. Computers are now a significant part of our hazardous waste stream.
The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition estimates that the 315 million computers expected to become obsolete by the year 2004 would contain, among other hazardous wastes, 1.2 billion pounds of lead, 2 million pounds of cadmium, 400,000 pounds of mercury and 1.2 million pounds of chromium. Many municipalities ban the disposal of computer and television equipment.
- Consider upgrading computers before throwing them out.
- If your computer is broken, check your Yellow Pages for computer repair services and fix your existing computer before buying a new one.
- Find a computer reseller near you by visiting the database of national retailers at Recycler’s World was established as a worldwide “trading site for information related to secondary or recyclable commodities, by-products, used and surplus items or materials.” The exchange covers used computer items, cartridge remanufacturing and recycling, computer scrap and dismantling, and recycling traders and recyclers.
- Call your local municipality and ask about programs for obsolete computers in your area. A Massachusetts company has devised a way of melting down computer plastic and using it to fill potholes! Who knows what computer reusing entrepreneur may be living near you? RecycleNet Help Line: (519) 767-2913.
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Choose to Reuse : An Encyclopedia of Services, Businesses, Tools & Charitable Programs That Facilita
2,000 items neatly coordinated by subject, a local and national organizations listing, and examples of successful reusers make Choose to Reuse an essential environmental resource bible made specifically for any conscientious person looking to make a difference. buy nowrelated stories
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47 comments
add your comment »Today was the day we had our re-cycle fair at our usual re-cycle area. I was able to pass on four monitors, a keyboard and a mouse. It is so good that these items can be safely disposed when they no longer work.
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I thank you too for the information.
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My computer is an e-machine from late 1998 that can't go beyond Windows98SE and dial-up. I got it second hand in 2003 for free and upgraded the memory as high as it can go (256). It was dead in 2005 for 3 months and NO ONE wanted to fix it then. I won the argument with the computer myself and brought it back to life. Since people look down on e-machines as the Wal-Mart of computers I wish I could donate mine to the Smithsonian as maybe the longest lived e-machine in history.
Where I live crushed computers to fill potholes wouldn't be a good idea since my town has private wells so all those chemicals would eventually leach into the ground water. My town also has reservoirs that provide water for nearby cities that have public water, which are in part fed by underground streams.
So foregoing the latest technology to hold on to an old computer, etc...seems like the best way to go for as long as the old item still works.
Me and Tugboat McGraw the old computer
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http://www.epa.gov/
http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/pollrecycling.html
A Good place to start learning ..
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the article is somewhat outdated in the stats but the impact is the same- for some reason I am getting a many replies to this yet all i did was to add comments to it just like you.
If People Only Realized How Much Of An Impact "Toss Away Products" Actually Cause It Would Be Enough To Make Some Think Twice!
For People In The Harrisburg/Lancaster PA & +/- 100 Mile Surrounding AREAS: You May Recycle Old Computers & Related Products Here:
http://my.care2.com/nick2121
If you are not sure call and ask: 1-717-910-2125
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By 2004? I'm just curious as to how old is this article is??? Thanks though...would be interesting to hear the more recent statistics though. ;)
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Thank you for the information.
That´s something they should start doing in the netherlands.
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thank u for the information.
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In Portland, Oregon, there's an organization called FREE GEEK that recycles computers. They also build new ones with reusable parts from old ones. Once, they donated some of their recycled computers to people in Brazil, I think it was. For anyone who's interested, here's their website: http://freegeek.org/
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Thanks
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