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Have you ever been to the basement of your office building and seen hundreds of obsolete or broken computers sitting in the hallway? What do you do with those CRT monitors you have at home after you replace them with flat screens? What do you do with all of that e-waste? Previously, many people would just toss the computer or monitor in the trash. Thankfully, recycling computers is now easy even for the home user.

Why recycle? The rate that computer technology is being upgraded is alarming. With prices of computers much lower than they’ve been in a decade, users can continually replace old technology with the most modern available. Thus, the number of computers in landfills is increasing at a fast pace. When decomposed, some of the dangerous chemicals, such as mercury and lead, get into the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Some components inside of the computer contain valuable resources that should not be left to sit in a garbage dump. These include tin, iron, and silicon, which can be reused after reclamation.

Consumers have more and more options for recycling e-waste. Looking for a tax break? For consumers, donating a computer to a worthy cause is often a good alternative. By donating your computer to an organization in need, these charities can use the donated machines in their education programs, job search programs, and community outreach programs.

Another choice is to participate in a take back program. These programs are offered by the manufacturer and involve the consumer mailing the old computer to the company. Before purchasing your computer, it is important to do some research. While most major manufacturers offer a computer recycling service, the programs may vary. Some will require a small fee or require you to pay for shipping. Other programs may pay for shipping and even give you a coupon for a discount on your next system purchase.

Another lesser known program is the exchange program. Manufacturers will exchange your old computer for a new model. They will turn around and renovate the old model in preparation for resale. Most manufacturers will offer these refurbished computers at a discount on their website or in their retail stores. Typically, these revamped models will come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. This allows for consumers who could not usually afford a computer to be able to benefit.

Businesses, unfortunately, do not have as easy of a time with getting rid of their bulk e-waste. Most manufacturers have corporate recycling programs but will not take back bulk computers that are not theirs. This typically leads business to contact third-party e-waste recycling companies to handle their bulk waste. Corporations must be careful, however. Even if they contract out their e-waste recycling, they are still held responsible if the computers are not disposed of properly.

With the number of methods available for the disposal of both consumer and bulk business computers, recycling is now a painless process. By doing a little bit of research to find out your local options, you will be doing your part to save the environment from its newest danger.

At low prices and with such convenient access, purchasing used computers Toronto is an economically viable option for those seeking quality technology. Another recommended alternative is renting computers, which allows users to conserve money and test the platform first-hand.

Today, everyone is making changes to help preserve the environment for the next generation. In your home or business, you have likely installed energy efficient light bulbs or appliances, become more conscious about turning off lights in rooms you are not using, and learned to turn down the thermostat while donning a sweater when the weather turns chilly.

Your computer represents a large drain on environmental resources. Many steps can help you limit this drain. For example, when you are not using the computer, turn it off and unplug it rather than letting it go into “hibernation” mode. This will save electricity. When your computer is no longer functional, you are faced with another opportunity to do something to protect the environment. Rather than tossing the machine into the garbage heap, you can recycle it through a computer recycling company .

The Need for Recycling

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 40 million computers will become obsolete each year. This is a tremendous amount of garbage to add to already overflowing landfills. Consumer electronics make up approximately two percent of the entire solid waste stream in the country, and this number is continually increasing. While this is a small percent, recycling the computers will make a tremendous impact on the overall health of the environment, because in reality this percent represents 2.25 million tons of consumer electronics, which includes computers. Sadly, only about 18 percent of those are currently being recycled, which means 1.84 million tons of electronic waste is hitting the landfills each year.

Find a Local Program

If your area is one of the 800 communities that have set up electronics collection events or programs, use the local program to recycle your computer. Contact the electronics retailers in your area to find out if they offer computer recycling programs. If you cannot find a local program in this way, do a simple online search to find one.

Mail-In Programs

Some communities may not have computer recycling options. In this case, consider using a mail order recycling program. For example, Hewlett Packard offers a mail in take-back program that will accept computer hardware of any type. The company then reuses or recycles the machine. Other programs may charge a small fee, but this fee is worthwhile in light of the help recycling your computer provides to the environment.

Donation Programs

If your computer is still usable, but you simply need a better or more modern machine, consider donating the computer. Many non-profit organizations will take older computers, upgrade them, and then sell them at a discounted rate. By recycling your computer in this way, you not only help the environment, but also your local community.

Before you throw your unwanted computer in the garbage, take the time to look for a recycling or donation program. Erase all personal information from the machine before donating or recycling it to protect yourself, but then drop it off at the center of your choice. By helping to protect the environment today, you ensure that your children and grandchildren can still enjoy it someday for themselves.

Computer rentals Ottawa are very convenient for both businesses and individuals. By using computer rental Calgary, individuals will not have to deal with the hassle of disposing utilized computers. Computer recycling requires special handling.

Your computer has died, and there is no hope for its resurrection. You have already replaced it, but now what do you do? What options are there for disposing of your old computer in a safe and environmentally friendly way? The answer is computer recycling.

Why Recycling Computers Is Important

Computers and other consumer electronics items make up around two percent of all of the materials in todays landfills. We already know that recycling in general is important, as the landfills are not getting any smaller, but recycling computers and monitors is especially important. These items contain lead and toxic metals that can cause serious damage to the environment, particularly if they end up in the water supply.

Additionally, your computer contains personal information that you may not know how to completely remove. You do not want a computer guru finding it in the dumpster and taking your personal information off of it. This can lead to identity theft and a lifetime of problems.

Advantages of Recycling Your Computer

Recycling your computer responsibly carries many benefits. First, by working with a responsible recycler, you are ensured that your personal information is completely removed from the machine. This will protect you from dumpster divers who are just waiting to find a hard drive to tap into.

Another benefit of recycling your computer is the fact that you will be doing your part to protect the environment. You will be keeping the toxins that are in your computer out of the landfills and away from the water supply. Additionally, the precious metals and other materials used in these electronics must be mined, which takes a tremendous toll on the environment. By recycling your computer, you ensure that these precious materials are reused, reducing the amount that must be removed from the earth through costly mining efforts.

In many cases a recycled computer can actually be put to use again. Even if a major part of your computer is broken, there are other components that can be used to rebuild other computers. This can provide an affordable computer for an individual or organization that otherwise would not be able to access one. Often these computers are donated to charitable organizations, so in this way you could be helping the community simply by recycling your broken computer. When you choose a recycling center, choose one that works closely with a charitable organization.

How Computer Recycling Works

The first step in a responsible computer recycling program is wiping all information off of the computers hard drive. This ensures that your finances and personal information are protected. Then, the recycling program should look at the machine to see if there are any usable components. These are harvested to be used to build new machines. Any non-usable parts are broken down into their basic components, such as metal or plastic, and further processed.

The recycling center will then take these basic components and organize them according to the type they are. These parts will then be sent to a smelting facility to be turned into tiny pieces and melted to be made into other things. For instance, plastic can be melted and used again in another computer or for a completely different plastic item. As part of this process, the precious metals that are in circuit boards are extracted for reuse. This keeps them out of the environment.

Today, only 18 percent of all computers and other consumer electronics that have reached the end of their lives are recycled. This means that 1.84 million tons of this type of waste ends up in the landfills. By recycling your old and used computer, you can ensure that you do not add to this sad statistic.

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