Facts About Recycled Computers

As personal and business computers continue to face obsolescence because of frequent updates, people are tossing more and more computers to the curb. While not all computers are completely recyclable, many of the components and parts can have value and a second life away from the landfill. Recycling computers is an important green initiative, as the facts show.

Running Out of Room

Between 2001 and 2007, consumers in the U.S. threw nearly 500 million computers into community landfills, according to a 2007 report from the National Safety Council. Since computers and monitors are often bulky, they take up a great deal of room in landfills if they are thrown away intact, as most are. Since consumers own millions of home computers that become “obsolete” every three years, they will continue to overburden our landfills unless computer recycling becomes the norm. The National Safety Council reports that only 10 percent of computers are properly recycled.

Dangerous Chemicals

Personal computers contain a number of toxic chemicals including lead and cadmium. When the plastic cases are burned, as they often are in large scale scavanger operations in China, they release even more toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Laptop LCD screens contain mercury. Burying these computers in landfills leaches toxins into the groundwater, posing a hazard for humans and other life forms. Recycling computers keeps these harmful chemicals out of the ecosystem.

Better Economic Sense

Except in the most technologically advanced instances, new computers are not often that much more advanced compared to some old computers, says computer repair professional and author Scott Mueller. Nevertheless, manufacturers constantly pressure consumers to “buy new.” Many times a computer owner can upgrade his current computer--significantly--for far less than the cost of buying a new computer and to one that may be only slightly better. Consumers could save money by "recycling" their computers--to themselves--rather than buying a new machine too soon.

Recycling Parts

Most computers contain components that have value intact, such as hard drives, PCI cards, and DVD drives. These parts are often in demand by computer enthusiasts on swap-and-auction sites like eBay. Components like laptops, LCD screens, working motherboards, and AC adapters can often command very good prices in these markets. “Parting out” an old computer is a better option that throwing it out.

Recycling Materials

Even when the computer components are not functioning, they still have recovery value. Processors, memory and PCI cards contain gold, for example. Computers also contain copper in the form of wiring. The plastic used in computer cases can be recycled and used to produce new plastic products. Computer recycling centers recover these materials for profit and the benefits to the environment. But many computers discarded in the United States are ultimately sold to scavenger operations in countries like India and China. These largely unregulated operations often don't handle the waste products appropriately and create environmental hazards in their communities.

Not Obsolete At All

According to CNET, many personal computer owners think their three- to five-year-old computer has no value and no fate better than being set out on the curb for refuse. The fact is that many trashed computers are readily recyclable. Microsoft says that a computer with a processing speed of as little as 700 MHz and a RAM memory of 256 MB can support Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP without much problem. While Internet browsing and media may be slow on these older machines, these are still “good” computers. People who can’t afford to purchase a computer can use these machines. You should donate your old computer, if possible, not thrown it away.

Community Repurposing Efforts

Donating computers for use by others is a good idea. Unfortunately, many communities in the U.S. don't have ongoing programs for matching unwanted computers with new owners. Many school systems are hesitant about accepting donations of used machines due to worries about software licensing, and a lack of staff support for rehabilitating and maintaining older computers. Corporations are increasingly selling off surplus computers to commercial refurbishers, limiting the donations of better used computers.

You may have to do research to find the nearest computer recycling center. Be prepared to transport your unwanted computers to other communities if you don't have a local center. You can also start a computer recylcing program in your town by partnering with local environmental groups and waste management offices.