Computer recycling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Computer recycling refers to the recycling or reuse of computers. It includes both finding another use for materials (such as donation to charity), and having systems dismantled in a manner that allows for the safe extraction of the constituent materials for reuse in other products.

Contents 1 Reasons for recycling 2 Regulations 2.1 Europe 2.2 United States 2.2.1 Federal 2.2.2 State 2.3 Asia 3 Recycling methods 3.1 Consumer recycling 3.1.1 Donation 3.1.2 Takeback 3.1.3 Exchange 3.2 Corporate recycling 4 See also 4.1 Topics 4.2 Regulation 4.3 Organizations 5 References 6 External links 6.1 Government links 6.2 Organization links

[edit] Reasons for recycling

Obsolete computers are a valuable source for secondary raw materials, if treated properly; if not treated properly, they are a source of toxins and carcinogens. Rapid technology change, low initial cost, and even planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of computer components around the globe. Technical solutions are available, but in most cases a legal framework, a collection system, logistics, and other services need to be implemented before a technical solution can be applied. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 30 to 40 million surplus PCs, which it classifies under the term "hazardous household waste",^[2] will be ready for end-of-life management in each of the next few years. The U.S. National Safety Council estimates that 75% of all personal computers ever sold are now surplus electronics.^[3]

Many materials used in the construction of computer hardware can be recovered in the recycling process for use in future production. Reuse of tin, silicon, iron, aluminum, and a variety of plastics — all present in bulk in computers — can reduce the costs of constructing new systems. In addition, components frequently contain copper, gold, and other materials valuable enough to reclaim in their own right.

Computer components contain valuable elements and substances suitable for reclamation, including lead, copper, and gold. They also contain many toxic substances, such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), cadmium, chromium, radioactive isotopes, and mercury. A typical computer monitor may contain more than 6% lead by weight, much of which is in the lead glass of the cathode ray tube (CRT). A typical 15-inch computer monitor may contain 1.5 pounds of lead,^[2] but other monitors have been estimated as having up to 8 pounds of lead.^[1] Circuit boards contain considerable quantities of lead-tin solders and are even more likely to leach into groundwater or to create air pollution via incineration. Additionally, the processing required to reclaim the precious substances (including incineration and acid treatments) may release, generate, and synthesize further toxic byproducts.

A major computer recycling concern is export of waste to countries with lower environmental standards. Companies may find it cost-effective in the short term to sell outdated computers to less developed countries with lax regulations. It is commonly believed that a majority of surplus laptops are routed to developing nations as "dumping grounds for e-waste".^[4] The high value of working and reusable laptops, computers, and components (e.g., RAM) can help pay the cost of transportation for a large number of worthless "commodities". Broken monitors, obsolete circuit boards, and short-circuited transistors are difficult to spot in a containerload of used electronics.

[edit] Regulations

[edit] Europe

In Switzerland, the first electronic waste recycling system was implemented in 1991, beginning with collection of old refrigerators; over the years, all other electric and electronic devices were gradually added to the system. The established producer responsibility organization is SWICO, mainly handling information, communication, and organization technology.^[5]

The European Union implemented a similar system in February 2003, under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive, 2002/96/EC).^[6]

[edit] United States

[edit] Federal

The United States Congress considers a number of electronic waste bills, including the National Computer Recycling Act introduced by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA). Meanwhile, the main federal law governing solid waste is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976. It covers only CRTs, though state regulations may differ.^[7] There are also separate laws concerning battery disposal. On March 25, 2009, the House Science and Technology Committee approved funding for research on reducing electronic waste and mitigating environmental impact, regarded by sponsor Ralph Hall (R-TX) as the first federal bill to address electronic waste directly.^[8]

[edit] State

Many states have introduced legislation concerning recycling and reuse of computers or computer parts.^[9] Most American computer recycling legislation addresses it from within the larger electronic waste issue.

In 2001, Arkansas enacted the Arkansas Computer and Electronic Solid Waste Management Act, which requires that state agencies manage and sell surplus computer equipment, establishes a computer and electronics recycling fund, and authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to regulate and/or ban the disposal of computer and electronic equipment in Arkansas landfills.^[10]

[edit] Asia

South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan require that sellers and manufacturers of electronics be responsible for recycling 75% of them.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Recycling methods

[edit] Consumer recycling

Consumer recycling options include donating computers directly to organizations in need, sending devices directly back to their original manufacturers, or getting components to a convenient recycler or refurbisher. The Computer Takeback Campaign and the Tech Soup Donate Hardware List are resources for locating recyclers and refurbishers.^[11]

[edit] Donation

Consumer recycling includes a variety of donation options, such as charities which may offer tax benefits. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maintains a list of donation options for American consumers.^[12]

[edit] Takeback

When researching computer companies before a computer purchase, consumers can also find out if they offer recycling services. Most major computer manufacturers offer some form of recycling. At the user's request they may mail in their old computers, or arrange for pickup from the manufacturer.

Hewlett-Packard also offers free recycling, but only one of its "national" recycling programs is available nationally, rather than in one or two specific states.^[13] Hewlett-Packard also offers to pick up any computer product of any brand for a fee, and to offer a coupon against the purchase of future computers or components; it was the largest computer recycler in America in 2003, and it has recycled over 750 million pounds of electronic waste globally^[2] since 1995.^[14] It encourages the shared approach of collection points for consumers and recyclers to meet.^[15]

[edit] Exchange

Manufacturers often offer a free replacement service when purchasing a new PC. Dell Computers and Apple Inc. will take back old products when one buys a new one. Both refurbish and resell their own computers with a one-year warranty.^[16]

Many companies purchase and recycle all brands of working and broken laptops and notebook computers, whether from individuals or corporations. Building a market for recycling of desktop computers has proven more difficult than exchange programs for laptops, smartphones, and other smaller electronics.^[17] A basic business model is to provide a seller an instant online quote based on laptop characteristics, then to send a shipping label and prepaid box to the seller, to erase, reformat, and process the laptop, and to pay rapidly by check.^[4] A majority of these companies are also generalized electronic waste recyclers as well; organizations that recycle computers exclusively include Cash For Laptops, a laptop refurbisher in Nevada that claims to be the first to buy laptops online, in 2001.^[17]

Online auction at eBay is an alternative for consumers willing to resell for cash less fees, in a complicated, self-managed, competitive environment^[18] where paid listings might not sell.^[19] Craigslist can be similarly risky due to forgery scams and uncertainty.^[16]

[edit] Corporate recycling

Businesses seeking a cost-effective way to recycle large amounts of computer equipment responsibly face a more complicated process. They also have the option of contacting the manufacturers and arranging recycling options. However, in cases where the computer equipment comes from a wide variety of manufacturers, it may be more efficient to hire a third-party contractor to handle the recycling arrangements.

Corporations face risks both for incompletely destroyed data and for improperly disposed computers, and according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, are liable for compliance with regulations even if the recycling process is outsourced. Companies can mitigate these risks by requiring waivers of liability, audit trails, certificates of data destruction, signed confidentiality agreements, and random audits of information security. The National Association of Information Destruction is an international trade association for data destruction providers.^[20] Many companies specialize in corporate computer disposal and recycling services in compliance with local laws and regulations. Such companies frequently also offer secure data elimination services that comply with data erasure standards.

[edit] See also

[edit] Topics

• Data erasure
• Digger gold
• Electronic waste
• Green computing
• Polychlorinated biphenyls

[edit] Regulation

• Basel Convention
• Electronic Waste Recycling Act
• Electronic Waste Recycling Fee
• Material safety data sheet
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

[edit] Organizations

• Basel Action Network
• Blancco
• Thai Ecotrade[1]
• eDay
• Free Geek
• International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
• Metech Incorporated
• Nonprofit Recycling & Reuse Network
• Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
• Solving the E-waste Problem
• Cash for computers

[edit] References

[www.pcrecycler.net]PC Recycler

[edit] External links

[edit] Government links

• Computer Donation Locations (U.S.)
• Computer Recycling (H.K.)
• ECycling (U.S.)
• WEEE Directive (U.K.)
• WEEE Directive (E.C.)

[edit] Organization links

• Intercon Solutions (US, GB and Canada electronics recycling)
• Caritas Recycle Project (Hong Kong)
• Carnegie-Mellon Computer Recycling Resources
• Computation (Toronto)
• E-Stewards
• EplanetEwaste
• E-Waste Association of South Africa
• E-Waste Guide
• E-Waste (Switzerland)
• Green Line Computer Recycle Directory
• Nonprofit Recycling & Reuse Network
• Rewaste.net
• World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association

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