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SALT LAKE CITY -- Along with old pairs of skis, your Uncle Milton's bowling ball and the framed pictures of fruit from your failed attempt at "art," you may also have some old computers and electronics lying around your basement or garage. Perhaps you own a business that has finally upgraded to computers that were built in this decade. You may have heard that there are materials inside those electronics and computer parts that are not landfill safe. So, what do you do with those ancient computers that used to be the cutting edge of technology?
Before you recycle a computer, for security purposes you will want to make sure that any hard drives inside it have been erased. There are software programs that can erase a hard drive completely. One we recommend is Hard Drive Eraser. This free program will use a bunch of fancy algorithms to rewrite the data on the drive, making it useless to most people looking for any information. Another option is to remove the drive and have it shredded by a recycler, or even just take a hammer or drill to it. What information could someone find on your old computer? Enough to steal an identity, open up lines of credit or create a fake identification?
nearly 200 million pounds of computers and electronics end up in Utah landfills each year. -Recycling Coalition of Utah
So, why is it important to recycle a computer? Computers are made up of many different components and materials. Some of those materials are hazardous to the environment. If a computer makes it way to a landfill, the hazardous materials inside may make their way into the ground, which can then seep into water supplies and further contaminate the soil.
Some of the hazardous materials that are present inside computers are lead, lithium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium and more. According to the Global Healing Center, mercury can damage kidneys, cause hallucinations and suicidal tendencies and can damage cells in the brain. Cadmium can cause damage to the lungs, kidney and bowels and may cause renal failure.
According to the Recycling Coalition of Utah, nearly 200 million pounds of computers and electronics end up in Utah landfills each year. E-waste can account for up to 70 percent of the heavy metals that are found in landfills. Much of those materials are found in old CRT monitors. Businesses that are caught throwing any items that contain hazardous materials in a landfill can actually be fined, so it is important to dispose of those items properly through recycling.
Where can an old computer be recycled? Besides the positive environmental impacts, computer recycling can also have good social implications too. There are a number of charitable organizations that may be able to use an older computer or other electronics. Some charities also host recycling drives that allow them to raise money by recycling those old parts with companies that will pay for electronics. Typically, you can write off any donations made to charities on your taxes as well.
E-waste can account for up to 70 percent of the heavy metals that are found in landfills. -Recycling Coalition of Utah
inQuo Technology recycles computer desktops, laptops, LCD monitors and other computer hardware. The refurbished systems the company builds are donated to small and home-based businesses that are in need of computers to operate their businesses. Helping new small businesses succeed helps the local economy.Recycling is free for drop-offs, and free pick-up may be available, depending on the location. inQuo guarantees that it will completely erase the hard drive for any donated computer using special software that cleans the drive completely. It also can remove the hard drive and return it to you for your own disposal. Small businesses interested in applying for a free refurbished computer can apply online at www.inquo.com/sbgrant.
The Recycling Coalition of Utah has many resources for recycling electronic waste as well. Visit www.utahrecycles.org for a comprehensive list of recycling companies and locations.
According to the BBC, the life cycle for computers, cellphones, televisions and other electronics is much shorter now than in the past. Many people replace cell phones on a yearly basis, computers every two years and televisions every five years. That adds up to a lot of electronic waste.
By taking actions to reduce the amount of these items in our landfills, we can help the environment and perhaps make a difference in someone’s life through charitable organizations that re-use the items.
John Stewart is director of operations at inQuo, a computer repair company. He is the author of a blog, www.inquo.wordpress.com.
