- Image by post-postmodern via Flickr
They say that old computers are thrown away or recycled at a rate of at least 50 million units per year. That is a lot of junk for our already over-burdened landfills, so what should be done with the old dinosaurs? Do we just continue dumping the useless hardware or is there a better way?
Why Not to Throw Computers in the Landfill
Computers are not made of organic materials so they will never decompose. That is the most basic and obvious reason. How long can they be dumped in the landfill before they overtake a city? Another very important reason to keep them out of the dump is that they are created using a variety of highly toxic metals and chemicals. A single personal computer for the desktop can contain more than eight pounds of lead. They also contain mercury, arsenic and other toxic chemicals that should never be allowed in our waterways.
What to Do With an Old Computer
The most earth-friendly thing a consumer can do with their old computer is to send it to a company that will refurbish it. Some computers are too far gone to be of any use even if it could be refurbished, and these old computers will never shine like a beautiful Mikimoto ring. Other computers could be of great use to someone out there without any refurbishing at all if the consumer does not require the latest and greatest technology available.
If a computer is really of no use at all anymore, it can be dismantled down into its most basic components. Some of the good parts can be reused and the worthless ones can be soaked in an acid bath or melted down to retrieve the precious metals from the circuit boards and the wires. A substantial amount of gold can be recovered from a scrapped computer.
