As we begin a new year it is often a good idea to start with a fresh slate. Some even use the new year as an opportunity to clean out their aging computer hardware in preparation of something new being released from Apple (no wait, that’s Macworld Expo). Many people clean out their old PCs in January because they got a new one for Christmas or Hanukkah. Either way, it is important to recycle old computers (especially monitors) and NOT throw them into the dumpster.
Discarded computers and other consumer electronics (so called e-waste) are the fastest growing portion of our waste stream — growing almost 3 times faster than our overall municipal waste stream.
Why it’s important
The solvents, gases, acids, flame retardants, plastics, and heavy metals that go into making computers can be extremely harmful to both people and the environment if handled improperly. Decades of unsafe use and disposal have resulted in elevated cancer rates, neurological disorders, miscarriages and severe birth defects among workers in the high tech industry and their families.
Microchip production is resource intensive, involving more energy, water, fossil fuels, toxic chemicals, and elemental gases than any industry in history. Because computers become obsolete so rapidly, the industry also generates a lot of waste. The National Safety Council predicts that in the U.S. between 315 million and 680 million computers will be put to rest within the next few years. The waste will contain more than 4 billion pounds of plastic, 1 billion pounds of lead, 1.9 million pounds of cadmium, 1.2 million pounds of chromium, and nearly 400,000 pounds of mercury. Less than 10% of outdated computer products are refurbished or recycled.
Learn more
One of the most important things you can do is to dispose of your old equipment in a responsible manner. DON’T just put it in the trash. Find out about electronics recycling opportunities in your area.
http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/
As we begin a new year it is often a good idea to start with a fresh slate. Some even use the new year as an opportunity to clean out their aging computer hardware in preparation of something new being released from Apple (no wait, that’s Macworld Expo). Many people clean out their old PCs in January because they got a new one for Christmas or Hanukkah. Either way, it is important to recycle old computers (especially monitors) and NOT throw them into the dumpster.
Discarded computers and other consumer electronics (so called e-waste) are the fastest growing portion of our waste stream — growing almost 3 times faster than our overall municipal waste stream.
Why it’s important
The solvents, gases, acids, flame retardants, plastics, and heavy metals that go into making computers can be extremely harmful to both people and the environment if handled improperly. Decades of unsafe use and disposal have resulted in elevated cancer rates, neurological disorders, miscarriages and severe birth defects among workers in the high tech industry and their families.
Microchip production is resource intensive, involving more energy, water, fossil fuels, toxic chemicals, and elemental gases than any industry in history. Because computers become obsolete so rapidly, the industry also generates a lot of waste. The National Safety Council predicts that in the U.S. between 315 million and 680 million computers will be put to rest within the next few years. The waste will contain more than 4 billion pounds of plastic, 1 billion pounds of lead, 1.9 million pounds of cadmium, 1.2 million pounds of chromium, and nearly 400,000 pounds of mercury. Less than 10% of outdated computer products are refurbished or recycled.
Learn more
One of the most important things you can do is to dispose of your old equipment in a responsible manner. DON’T just put it in the trash. Find out about electronics recycling opportunities in your area.
http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/
