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Get Rid Of E-Waste By Reusing, Donating, Or Recycling Computers
Written by Adriana Noton   
Thursday, 10 June 2010 07:40
Have you ever been to the basement of your office building and seen hundreds of obsolete or broken computers sitting in the hallway? What do you do with those CRT monitors you have at home after you replace them with flat screens? What do you do with all of that e-waste? Previously, many people would just toss the computer or monitor in the trash. Thankfully, recycling computers is now easy even for the home user.
by AdrianaNoton


Have you ever been to the basement of your office building and seen hundreds of obsolete or broken computers sitting in the hallway? What do you do with those CRT monitors you have at home after you replace them with flat screens? What do you do with all of that e-waste? Previously, many people would just toss the computer or monitor in the trash. Thankfully, recycling computers is now easy even for the home user.

Computer technology changes faster than we can keep up. That coupled with the lower cost of computers means that we are replacing obsolete machines at an alarming rate. Why is it important to recycle? If not disposed of properly, computers can turn into toxins or carcinogens when left to rot in a dump. This causes materials such as lead and mercury, to seep into the soil and invade the water table.

Computers contain many valuable elements that can be used after reclamation. These include lead, gold, and copper. For example, a 15-inch monitor can contain over five pounds of lead that can be reused to construct new system.

For consumers, recycling e-waste is becoming more and more convenient. One popular method is donation. You can give your computer to a charity. Some common organizations that use the donated computers include libraries, foster homes, animal shelters, or community centers. This helps a cause, and will help you get a bit of a tax break at the end of the year.

Another choice is to participate in a take back program. These programs are offered by the manufacturer and involve the consumer mailing the old computer to the company. Before purchasing your computer, it is important to do some research. While most major manufacturers offer a computer recycling service, the programs may vary. Some will require a small fee or require you to pay for shipping. Other programs may pay for shipping and even give you a coupon for a discount on your next system purchase.

Another lesser known program is the exchange program. Manufacturers will exchange your old computer for a new model. They will turn around and renovate the old model in preparation for resale. Most manufacturers will offer these refurbished computers at a discount on their website or in their retail stores. Typically, these revamped models will come with a one-year manufacturer's warranty. This allows for consumers who could not usually afford a computer to be able to benefit.

Have you ever been in the basement of your office building and it looks like a computer graveyard? Ever wonder how a business disposes of all of this e-waste? Generally, bulk waste cannot be disposed of using the same methods as consumers. Some computer manufacturers will work with companies to recycle their waste for them. However, manufacturers will typically not take back other brand names. That leaves the business to contract disposal to a third party contractor. These contractors specialize in the proper disposition of e-waste. What is important for businesses to remember is that they are still held liable for the proper disposal of their bulk computers, regardless of what methods they use. Infractions can cost companies hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

While most people recycle their household waste, they forget about recycling their e-waste. This waste is just as harmful to the environment and must be disposed of properly as well. There are many options for both consumers and researchers to dispose of their old computers in a way that is painless for them and the environment.

About the Author:

At low prices and with such convenient access, purchasing used computers Toronto is an economically viable option for those seeking quality technology. Another recommended alternative is renting computers, which allows users to conserve money and test the platform first-hand.