From TNPC issue #4.23...

Recycling PC Components and Paraphernalia: Part 4 (Safely Scrapping PCs)

by Lee Hudspeth
November 15, 2001

Now we come to the end of the chain of possibilities for responsibly recycling a whole PC or its components: it's time to safely scrap the item(s) in question, either because it's broken or so obsolete that no charitable organization can extract value from it. This article contains resources for you to use in locating an environmentally safe scrap location.

First let's examine what toxic stuff inhabits the interior of a typical PC. According to a report prepared by Handy and Harman Electronic Materials Corporation there's lead, arsenic, mercury and many other toxic compounds in there, all in varying quantities. Lead typically being the highest concentration in percentage terms (6.3%); there may be as much as 5-8 pounds of it in your CRT monitor. You can study this report online (hosted by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition):
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/423/tr.cgi?lee1

In 1999 the National Safety Council's Environmental Health Center predicted that by 2004 the U.S. would be host to over 315 million obsolete PCs. These numbers are staggering, since that represents about 1.2 billion pounds of lead (that's 600,000 TONS), 2 million pounds of cadmium, 400,000 pounds of mercury, and over 1 billion pounds of various plastics.

* Listing of recycling centers -- The Web site of the city of Fort Collins, CO maintains an excellent listing of recycling centers, arranged by category; these include 69 different categories ranging from aerosol cans to video tapes, along with one for "Computers and Printers." Many of these categories list recycling firms outside the state of Colorado.
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/423/tr.cgi?lee2

* HP computer hardware recycling service -- As previously reported in The Naked PC, HP has a computer hardware recycling service. According to the Web site, "HP's computer hardware recycling service is a simple and environmentally sound take-back program that offers consumers and business customers the ability to return any piece of computer hardware from any manufacturer. HP's state-of-the-art processes ensure that your unwanted hardware is reused or recycled in a way that conserves resources. The cost of the automated, on-line service ranges from $13 to $34 per item, depending upon the type and quantity of hardware to be returned. Custom price quotes are also available."
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/423/tr.cgi?lee3

* IBM's PC Recycling Service -- "...Consumers and small businesses can recycle any manufacturer's PCs, including system units, monitors, printers and optional attachments for $29.99 which includes shipping. IBM PC Recycling Service will either recycle the equipment or refurbish the system and arrange for its donation to Gifts in Kind International (GIKI)."
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/423/tr.cgi?lee4

* Other PC manufacturers' "take back" programs -- browse to the Web site home page, find the Search field, enter "recycle" (no quotes) and you can see how green that particular manufacturer is, both domestically and abroad.

* Computer scrap companies in the U.S.:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/423/tr.cgi?lee5

* Global Recycling Network maintains a public, searchable database of almost 5,000 companies that are involved in the recycling industry. Use their search engine to find recyclers in your state, city, or by zip code.
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/423/tr.cgi?lee6

If you want to find out what you can do about the impact of PCs on the environment--ranging from viewing sickening pictures of "PC dumps" to contacting manufacturers to advocate the production of cleaner, greener PCs--the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition site is a great place to start:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/423/tr.cgi?lee7

Dan Butler has some intriguing suggestions for an older PC that will keep it in use. "Take it to a local Linux Users group and have them configure it as a mail/web/ftp/news/ server for a local school. They can also serve as firewalls and such. Not much horsepower needed. Another thought is to use gnatbox.com to make the PC into a world class firewall. That's what I use here--rock solid!"

Additional information about reusing/recycling PCs and components is on this supplemental page.
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/423/tr.cgi?lee8

You can reach Lee Hudspeth at:
mailto:LeeHudspeth@TheNakedPC.com

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