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When It's Time to Upgrade Your TI-82
Emily Clinch
 Odds
are, you are reading this on a computer right now. Maybe it's even
your very own computer. And maybe you're not completely happy with
it. So, let's say you get yourself a new model. Whatever will you
do with the old one?
Sure, you could just throw it out, but consider this: computers contain,
on average, four pounds of lead, along with cadmium, mercury, phosphorous,
and barium. Now consider this: nearly every component of a computer
is recyclable.
According a report from the National Safety Council, between 1997
and 2007, people will throw away 500 million computers — that
means roughly 7.5 million tons of electronic waste, almost entirely
preventable with a good recycling program. That's the logic behind
new European laws requiring computer manufacturers to recycle outdated
machines. While large businesses in the United States are prevented
from simply throwing away their computers, there are no special laws
here applying to individuals or to computer manufacturers.
To make matters worse, of the approximately 10 million computers Americans
will "recycle" this year, nearly two thirds of them will
be shipped to Asia for dismantling. Salvage operators in China can
charge much less than American-based recyclers, so large corporations
and municipalities concerned primarily with the costs of their recycling
are tempted to send their computers overseas. In countries with lax
environmental laws, like China, often times plastic wires are burned
to gain access to the computers' valuable metal components. The burning,
especially when combined with the frequent dumping of many remaining
parts, can release toxic chemicals into the air and the ground water.
US-based recyclers, like Envirocycle in Hallstead, Pennsylvania, can
make a large impact — and a much more positive one. The company
handles thousands of computers every year, charging $25 for up to
69 pounds of material — enough to handle a full computer system.
Envirocycle's Tina Hailey pointed out that they accept and handle
all types of computers. The business has been operating for the past
11 years, ever since "one of the major computer manufacturers
and one of the major glass manufacturers" recognized the need
for computer recycling programs and worked together with Envirocycle
to develop a full recycling program.
Taking notice of where your electronics equipment ends up after you're
finished can make a real difference for the environment.
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