Of every three computers bought today, two will be thrown away in a few years, says John. In the near future the ratio will be closer to one to one. People are constantly upgrading their computer systems. John adds. “Already 286 and 386 computer systems are in the scrap stream,” he says. “Eventually they will be joined by 486 systems.” Facts: In the computer industry technological change is rapid and the potential for waste is enormous. Companies discard hardware for more user-friendly equipment, advertising pressure to upgrade computers is incessant, and spare parts for standard machines are increasingly hard to get. One multinational company is now operating a computer collection and recycling scheme to recover precious metals and other valuable components from the printed circuit boards.
According to the US Environment Protection Agency personal computers are in active use for only 20% of the time they are switched on, and 30-40% are actually left on overnight. A major manufacturer designed an energy-saving device to make the computer enter a sleep state.
Reuse: Not-for-profit groups are always short of office equipment, so unwanted equipment can be donated to them. Computer listing paper is a high-grade product, suitable for use as a direct pulp substitute in the papermaking process. Most laser printer cartridges and ribbons are refillable or reusable, while inkjet cartridges can e refilled.
Recycle: A well-known computer giant has begun a design for recycling initiative. Plastic components are to be labeled with the resin type and the manufacturer. A computer with a high-recycled materials content was also planned.A view good national list of computer donation and recycling organizations can be found at the PEP National Directory of Computer Recycling Programs. Donate or recycle your old computers before they become totally obsolete!
Computer floppy disks & Video Tape, Reuse / Recycling
Several processors now recycle computer floppy disks. Unsold software is disassembled and separated into paper, plastic and disks. The disks, with are effectively brand new, are erased, formatted, tested, labeled, and reused. GreenDisk of Redmond Washington sells reclaimed disks as GreenDisk Recycled Diskettes. Individuals and companies may also send defective disks & tapes directly to the company which will shred and recycle the plastic and metal. For more information, link to GreenDisk, Inc..
Of course disks & tapes are fully reusable. Removable labels are rare, but stacking two labels is usually OK. For the top label, select the type that does not wrap over the top of the cartridge. To clear all old data and even viruses from a floppy you just need to do a "full" or "unconditional" disk format -- Macintosh: Use initialize from the finder. Windows 3.1/DOS: From a DOS prompt type "format a: /u". Windows 95: Right-click on the drive icon and select format. Select "full" format. Your disk will be checked fully for errors and work as good as new.
The US should have a surplus of outdated computers that should be brought back to life from the corporate graveyards for the public good. But to make the project work, you need a clearing house to screen, consolidate, reassemble and reconfigure the machines for the new user who are most likely new to computers. As for software copyrights, I imagine the software giants (re: microsoft) should make some contribution, if it's for philanthropic purposes. I have heard of such a clearing house effort in Chicago, run by a non-profit group. I would appreciate details about the project there or similar efforts elsewhere (say in New York City )
A large number of redundant personal computers are available in Japan. Some are new but outdated models, leased up machines, and others are ones that became redundant because the owners decided to do a total change in their IT environement.
Whatever the reasons, these machines are functional and can be had for free or for a very low cost under the right circumstances, especially if the recycling is done for philanthropic reasons. We need to pay attention to software copyright issues on a case by case basis.
I wonder if members of the AIM list may know of schools and other entities, especially in the developing regions who can gainfully use such machines. Please let me know and we can then discuss the next step.
Waste Recycling equipment, machinery and plant solutions is the focus and commitment of GCM. We offer a complete line of quality products for all of our customers' Waste Recycling equipment needs. Whatever the project requirements, GCM will customize a complete solution that will not only include the products needed but will also address the service, parts, and financing for those products. We are dedicated to customer service, and all of our products and services are backed with our commitment to achieve superior customer satisfaction.
The Products: Shearmaster Waste shredders Monster tub grindersDisposable single use cameras, Recycling
Recent studies have show that, despite the recycling claims on the boxes, less than half of disposable cameras are ever actually recycled. Enough cameras have been tossed to circle the planet, stacked end-to-end. Local film developers often have little or no incentive to return the camera bodies to the manufacturers, and not all parts of the cameras are recyclable. Kodak has started to minimally reimburse developers for the costs of sorting, storing and shipping, but processors are still faced with a bewildering variety of types, brands, and procedures for dealing with them. Inexpensive fully-automatic 35mm cameras can be purchased for about $20 if you look carefully. These cameras will give better results and cost less to use than the disposables. If you must use a disposable camera, be sure to take it to a developer that explicitly promises to recycle the remains.