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Properly Recycle Used Computer EquipmentMichael Erbschloe, Republished from SafetyIssues Vol 2 Issue 18, May 2003 |
Volume 4 Issue 44July 2005 |
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There are several compelling reason to recycle information technology. Environmental impact is certainly a key concern. Advances in information technological can quickly render systems obsolete. More than 100 million personal computers became obsolete from 1995 to 2000. Each year millions of pieces of computer equipment was disposed of in landfills. Data compiled by the EPA shows how many computers are out of use, recycled, and land-filled: |
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According to the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, electronic computer equipment is a complicated assembly of more than 1,000 materials, many of which are highly toxic, such as chlorinated and brominated substances, toxic gases, toxic metals, photo-active and biologically active materials, acids, plastics and plastic additives. Comprehensive health impacts of the mixtures and material combinations in the products are often not known. The production of semiconductors, printed circuit boards, disk drives and monitors uses particularly hazardous chemicals, and workers in chip manufacturing are reporting cancer clusters and birth defects. In addition, new evidence is revealing that computer recycling employees have high levels of dangerous chemicals in their blood. Electronic equipment contains metals and other materials that can become hazardous to human health and the environment if they are not properly managed including:
Users should be cautious of how old computers and peripherals are disposed of for security and privacy reason as well. Old systems can store confidential information, user names, passwords, and other sensitive information. In addition, software for which an organization has purchased licenses could be on the systems which may result in a violation of the software licensing agreement. What to Recycle According to the International Association of Electronics Recyclers, electronics equipment is a product or apparatus that has its primary functions provided by electronics circuitry and components (semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, transistors, diodes), passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors), and electro-optical components (CRTs, LEDs, CCDs, lasers), and electronics packaging (printed circuit boards, connectors). Most information technology meets this definition as is shown in figure 10-1. Figure 10-1: Information Technologies That Require Recycling as Electronics Equipment
Choosing a Disposition Method for Information Technology There are several ways to recycle information technology. The method that is best for your organization will depend on numerous factors as well as the geographical location of the equipment. You should always consult corporate counsel about your disposal requirements. In some cases you may find it necessary to actually have equipment destroyed for security or privacy protection reasons. If this is the case you need to contact a recycler that will provide you a certificate to show that the equipment was actually destroyed. In other cases you may be able to have large amounts of equipment de-manufactured. This means that the equipment is broken down into usable components of recyclable material. The remains are usual sold to companies that will resell components or process material for use in other manufacturing situations. If equipment is new enough to be of interest to used equipment dealers or other end-user organizations then you may be able to dispose of the equipment on the used market. Note, however, that once equipment reaches five to six years old it has little if any resale value. Information technology can also be donated to schools, non profit organizations that place equipment in schools or provide it to people that cannot afford to purchase it, or educational programs where people are learning how to repair or refurbish information technology. There are also organizations that accept donated information technology that de-manufacture the equipment and recycle basic materials. There are also numerous computer recyclers that will dispose of equipment for a fee. These companies use a variety of disposal approaches. Caution is urged in choosing a recycler. You should make sure that a recycling firm will certify that equipment has been disposed of in an agreed upon manner. Many of these companies ship equipment off shore and to China for de-manufacturing and many of those operations are severe polluters. What it Cost to Dispose of Information Technology Getting rid of used computer equipment,
desktop systems, and monitors is becoming a challenge for most
companies. Various plans have surfaced over the last few years and
most have gone out of style. There is such a large volume of
equipment, especially monitors, that it is getting more difficult to
dispose of it. In addition, many municipal trash services are refusing
to haul away old equipment because of the cost of proper disposal. Figure 10-2: Disposal Costs
for Computer Equipment
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About the author
Michael Erbschloe
is an information technology consultant, educator, and author. He
has also developed technology-related curriculum for several
universities and speaks at conferences and industry events around
the world. Michael holds a Master Degree in Sociology from Kent
State University. He has authored hundreds of articles on technology
and several books including Guide to Disaster Recovery
published by Course Technology. |
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