| The rapid evolution of information technology | | | | 7 days a week in a drop-off scheme, for a |
| is a double-edged sword. While constant | | | | handling fee of 10$, estimates that 13,000 |
| improvements allow us to keep doing more in | | | | computers are disposed of every day in the |
| less time, the downside is that electronic | | | | U.S. While the company keeps many of the |
| equipment quickly becomes obsolete and needs | | | | component parts, Staples hands off CR tubes |
| to be replaced by newer, faster models. One | | | | and other hazardous materials to Amandi |
| obvious drawback of improving technology is | | | | Services, which makes television components |
| the cost of replacing older models, but what | | | | utilizing their own recycling technique. |
| happens to the old equipment? Many computer | | | | Another organization utilizing new |
| components are highly toxic to the | | | | technologies to complement and enhance the |
| environment, and virtually all electronic | | | | usual pulverizing and shredding is Creative |
| equipment utilizes some form of computer | | | | Recycling. Their reclamation utilizes very |
| technology. What do we do with the computer | | | | efficient dust filters and negative air |
| we're replacing? The group Local | | | | pressure in a controlled atmosphere. The |
| Self-Reliance estimates that about 75% of | | | | output of this system includes various |
| obsolete computers and other IT equipment is | | | | metals, plastic, and glass. The company aims |
| being stored, creating a time bomb waiting to | | | | to provide cost-effective solutions for |
| go off. It will be a dark day for the | | | | government organizations and has invested |
| environment when we all finally decide to | | | | millions of dollars in equipment in an |
| dispose of this clutter. | | | | attempt to lead the development of new |
| | | | recycling technology. |
| Mercury, chromium, and lead are a few of the | | | | |
| hazardous materials found in batteries, | | | | Not many people have noticed that recycling |
| cathode ray tubes, and circuit boards. These | | | | legislation has been passing in Europe for |
| toxins will be released into the environment | | | | the last five years. That was when the Waste |
| if all this outdated equipment disposed of in | | | | Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive |
| traditional ways. Soil and water will be | | | | was drafted, forcing computer manufacturing |
| affected if this material is dumped in a | | | | companies to pay for the recycling of old |
| landfill, and incineration releases toxic ash | | | | equipment in a safe manner. Unfortunately, |
| into the air. | | | | since the industry operates with very small |
| | | | profit margins, most people believe the costs |
| This is why we shouldn't simply trash our | | | | will be passed on to consumers in the form of |
| obsolete computers. Many organizations are | | | | higher computer prices. The additional cost |
| dedicated to recycling old computer hardware. | | | | per computer could be as much as $50, |
| Recycling helps the environment and enhances | | | | according to industry analyst Gartner. And |
| quality of life for all of us. There are many | | | | while most people wouldn't balk at paying a |
| volunteer and nonprofit groups that provide | | | | small premium to have their old equipment |
| recycling services, recovering over 112 | | | | disposed of properly, the European Union is |
| million pounds of valuable materials each | | | | requiring more stringent demands of green |
| year from old computers and other electronic | | | | components in the future. This will also |
| equipment. Glass, plastic, steel, and | | | | increase manufacturing costs in the short |
| precious metals can all be reused. Most of us | | | | term, raising prices even higher. |
| don't realize that even keyboards, CDs, | | | | |
| floppy disks, ink cartridges, and power cords | | | | There aren't many companies currently |
| contain easily reusable materials. Some | | | | recycling computers in England, but the |
| peripheral hardware can be utilized with a | | | | computer companies themselves are beginning |
| new computer, such as speakers and reusable | | | | to step up and provide alternatives for |
| disks. | | | | recycling old equipment. Dell is one computer |
| | | | manufacturer pioneering new ways to recycle |
| Staples is one company that has instituted a | | | | old computer equipment. Find out more about |
| green policy, where old equipment can be | | | | computer disposal and recycling by visiting |
| dropped off seven days a week for a $10 | | | | their website at |
| handling fee. Company spokesperson Mark | | | | |
| Buckley estimates that in this country alone, | | | | Compared to Europe, this country is fortunate |
| 13,000 computers are disposed of daily. | | | | to have many local outlets for computer |
| | | | recycling. But don't wait too long to drop |
| According to Mark Buckley, of Staples, which | | | | off your old computer at a local recycler, |
| has a green policy on accepting old equipment | | | | because the cost is only going to get higher. |