Recycling Computers

"With constant upgrades and technological developments, computer equipment often has a shelf life shorter than fresh produce--making for an alarming pile of PC trash," according to Earth Island Journal. The dumping of old computers into landfills via your garbage makes for serious environmental hazards. Computers contain toxic substances such as lead, radium, cadmium, phosphor and sometimes mercury, which can leach into groundwater supplies.

So what do you do with that old 386? Contact a company that dismantles systems and recycles the various parts, refurbishes and resells old computers or parts, or donates computers to nonprofit organizations and schools.

Michael Alexander of the Northeast Recycling Council in Vermont points out that computer recycling is in its infancy and geared towards large companies disposing of many computers. But given the exponential growth in computer ownership and usage, he predicts the entrance of more accessible, consumer-friendly programs in the next few years.

For example, the Northeast Resource Recovery Association has piloted programs in New York and Massachusetts where people bring electronics equipment to collection sites on specific days. However, Sue Mallet of Digital Equipment stresses that people need to organize and put pressure on local governments for these programs to be implemented. For now, consumers must search for environmentally sound ways to dispose of computers.

Waste Management and Recycling Products, Inc. does take computers from individuals for a small fee plus shipping. They dismantle the systems and transport them to the proper disposal facilities, 518/377-9900.

The National Christina Foundation matches computer donors with nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and job training programs, both in the U.S. and in less developed countries, 800/274-7846.

Cyber Trash takes nonfunctioning computers (or parts) and makes custom jewelry, chimes and sculptures, 707/792-0482.