Q: Why is it important to recycle computer components?

A: There are several reasons why computer recycling has become an important issue throughout the world:

1. The amount of obsolete computers in the waste stream is high due to the fact that computers are being replaced so frequently as technology improves. In general, sending garbage to landfills is becoming more and more of a problem because our landfills are reaching their capacity limits. Since computer and electronic waste accounts for a significant portion of the garbage in landfills, recycling can free up space in landfills for other trash.

2. Another important issue involved with computer recycling is the fact that computers have hazardous substances in their makeup. The component of most concern is the cathode ray tube (CRT) CRTs have approximately five to eight pounds of lead inside the glass. By recycling the CRTs we are ensuring that a hazardous substance like lead will not get into the environment.

3. Computer recycling also generates a large amount of raw materials that can be used to create new products. Any salvaged scrap materials and metals can be melted down and used in new products. Also, the smaller components like chips and motherboards from old computers can be reused in building new ones. Also, the obsolete computer itself can be refurbished so that it works better and can be reused by someone who cannot afford or chooses not to purchase a brand new computer system.




Q: Can other electronics besides computers be recycled?

A: Other electronic devices such as televisions (which also use CRTs with leaded glass), VCRs, telephones, fax machines, and copiers can also be recycled. While they might not pose as much of a hazard to the environment (with the exception of televisions), these other electronic products posses many of the same salvageable metals that computers have and can be recycled in a similar way.


Q: What happens to computer components during the recycling process?

A: CRTs: The first step involves separating the tube from the rest of the monitor. The plastic housing and metals inside of a monitor can be recycled once the monitor is taken apart. The CRTs are then sent to a third party glass processor. They are first decompressed to eliminated the explosive behavior of the tube. The tubes are then crushed, and the leaded glass is separated from the other materials. This leaded glass can then be melted down and recycled for the production of new CRTs in monitors and television sets. Some recycling facilities that specialize in remanufacturing and resale will first test whether or not the monitor is working. If it is working, it will be reused in combination with a refurbished computer system.

CPUs: There are three major directions for obsolete computers:

1. Some recycling facilities specialize in upgrading these types of computers and will then resell them to interested buyers.

2. Some computers are simply too old or damaged to be upgraded or refurbished. In this case certain recycling facilities can actually demanufacture the CPU for its parts. While the computer might not be useful as a whole unit, its parts like disk drives, chips and circuit boards can still be used in "rebuilt" computers. There are two primary criteria that determine the need to demanufacture and recycle a computer. The first reason is the age of the PC and its ability to support current software and applications. The rapid pace of technology continues to shorten the life cycle of a PC. The second reason to demanufacture and recycle a computer is the mechanical condition of the unit. The costs to repair or upgrade a dysfunctional PC can often exceed the value of the system.

3. All of the parts inside the computer that cannot be reused are then recovered simply for their precious and non-precious metals like copper, tin, and small amounts of low grade gold. Many recycling facilities only recycle computers in this way rather than reusing parts. The metals and plastics recovered from computers can be melted down and reused in the production on new computers or other electronics.




Q: Are there any other toxic substances in computers besides lead?

A: Other toxic substances like mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and PCBs are used in computers. They can be found within the circuitry of various components within the CPU. Therefore, it is important to recycle CPUs along with computer monitors.


Q: How much mercury is found inside a computer?

A standard desktop computer possesses an estimated 1 miligram of mercury found in the printed wiring board. A laptop computer possesses this amount as well in addition to 50 miligrams found in a mercury switch. LCD or "flat" monitors contain a small amount of mercury and should not be disposed in the trash and should be handled with gloves if broken. Mercury can enter the bloodstream if the broken pieces of the LCD puncture the skin.