Where Do old Computers Go? Most likely deep in
According to the Carnegie Mellon University, is that over 150 million dead but not decaying PC's will be buried in US landfills by 2005. The EPA requires that to handle PCs and components in compliance with the US Code's
Resource Conservation Act. The US Code's Resource Conservation Act which sets regulatory requirements on the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
A National safety Council study estimates that 20.6 millions PCs fell into disuse in 1998 but that only 11% were recycled. Dozens of waste management firms, new
and veterans, are diving into the electronics recycling waters by charging to properly dispose of technology detritus. And an obsolescence tax comes into effect. For a
fairly low amount of money per CPU (central processing unit), monitor or printer contractors are collecting and disassembling PCs. Plastics and glass are recycled into building materials - click in the electronic PWB above.
Responsibly handling of "systems" that cost over US$2,000.00 by furnace burning or converted to pave roads then consideration can be given to donations. Yes, it provides a second life to the PC system. However, some organisations only accept
donations of the latest technology! On the other side of the ocean, Europe, the European Commission's Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronics, is intended to make the PC industry oversees
greener. A ban since 2004 on materials such as lead based solder in PCs and imposition of environmental responsibility to manufacturers (ISO 14001 provides a way to tackle such demand). Once this responsibility is taken an infrastructure to
collect, preserve and transport electronics. This is the aim of the International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER). Founded in 1999 its intent is to develop technology for cost-effective recycling.
Vector-wise we are heading OK but speed is not there yet. What to do with this material 50 years from now. Maybe the answer lays in Mars. Is there a pcrecyclers.com already?
to landfill. These are risky
tomb; lead, mercury and chromium within the PC and other electronics components can leach into the soil and thus impacting the surrounding ecosystem. This why RoHS (...hazardous substances), WEEE and other "green" initiatives.