| Have you ever been to the basement of your office | | | | research to see if the manufacturer offers some |
| building and seen hundreds of obsolete or broken | | | | type of recycling or take back program. Most of the |
| computers sitting in the hallway? What do you do | | | | major manufacturers do offer some sort of program. |
| with those CRT monitors you have at home after | | | | They will typically require consumers to mail in their |
| you replace them with flat screens? What do you do | | | | obsolete equipment or arrange for a pickup from the |
| with all of that e-waste? Previously, many people | | | | company. Some programs are free, while others will |
| would just toss the computer or monitor in the trash. | | | | charge you a nominal fee if the machine is not their |
| Thankfully, recycling computers is now easy even for | | | | brand. |
| the home user. | | | | Companies may also exchange your old computer for |
| Computer technology changes faster than we can | | | | a new one. If the computer is still in good working |
| keep up. That coupled with the lower cost of | | | | condition, the manufacturer will refurbish the old |
| computers means that we are replacing obsolete | | | | machine and offer it for sale at a discounted rate. |
| machines at an alarming rate. Why is it important to | | | | These typically come with some sort of warranty for |
| recycle? If not disposed of properly, computers can | | | | the new owner. This program is helpful to those that |
| turn into toxins or carcinogens when left to rot in a | | | | may otherwise not be able to afford a computer. |
| dump. This causes materials such as lead and | | | | Businesses, unfortunately, do not have as easy of a |
| mercury, to seep into the soil and invade the water | | | | time with getting rid of their bulk e-waste. Most |
| table. | | | | manufacturers have corporate recycling programs but |
| Computers contain many resources that can be | | | | will not take back bulk computers that are not theirs. |
| removed during the recycling process and eventually | | | | This typically leads business to contact third-party |
| reused. These elements include tin, silicon, and plastic. | | | | e-waste recycling companies to handle their bulk |
| Some reclaimed minerals, such as copper and gold, | | | | waste. Corporations must be careful, however. Even |
| are too valuable to be left in a landfill. | | | | if they contract out their e-waste recycling, they are |
| For consumers, recycling e-waste is becoming more | | | | still held responsible if the computers are not |
| and more convenient. One popular method is | | | | disposed of properly. |
| donation. You can give your computer to a charity. | | | | People may view e-waste recycling and disposal as |
| Some common organizations that use the donated | | | | unnecessary. However, when you think of the |
| computers include libraries, foster homes, animal | | | | number of toxins we are adding to our environment |
| shelters, or community centers. This helps a cause, | | | | everyday, recycling is vital. By doing a little research |
| and will help you get a bit of a tax break at the end | | | | and maybe making a trip to a store or post office, |
| of the year. | | | | you can do your part to help our environment. |
| Before purchasing a computer, consumers should | | | | |