Be Green - Recycle Your Old Computer Hardware

The fight for the planet is on. It is now fullymanufacturers, such as Dell, Apple and HP,
proven, undeniably, evident that the earth isprovide their own programs to dismantle and
fighting for its life. During its short but deadlyrecycle old equipment. You can visit each of their
lifespan, human civilization has managed to place arespective sites to find out how these programs
devastating strain on the planet's resources andwork.
health.The final option is to seek out a reputable
It is now our duty to reverse this ill effect, evenhardware recycling or asset recovery program
though it may be too late. There are thousandsonline. One problem with the current computer
of ways people can contribute to the cause: fromsales environment is that consumers are goaded
taking on older techniques such as recycling papertoo frequently to buy upgraded or better
to utilizing newer technologies like fuel-efficientcomputer hardware. This cycle creates more
cars. I'd like to concentrate on one specific waywaste on the other end when the old equipment
through which people can help the planet- recyclingmodel is 'kicked out of the house' by the younger
computer equipment.model.
Throwing away used networking hardware,Much of the time, experienced hardware
monitors, hard drives, routers, RAM, webcams,professionals may actually be able to repair or
batteries or anything of the like can have asalvage your old equipment. Instead of buying
devastating effect if the equipment ends up in ournew equipment, you can save money and the
landfills.environment by repairing, reusing, and recycling
From nysscpa.org:your hardware. There are several online vendors
Most of the environmental concerns withthat will pay top dollar for your used cisco, dell,
computers lie with the monitor, specifically itsapple, HP, or any brand name computer hardware.
cathode ray tube (CRT). Each color monitorThis creates an 'eco-system' for computer
contains, on average, four to five pounds of lead,hardware that benefits the planet instead of
considered hazardous waste when disposed of,harming it.
according to EPA standards. Computers alsoSome of these vendors provide repair and
contain other hazardous materials, includingrecycling services to resell the refurbished
mercury, cadmium (a known carcinogen), andcomputer equipment at a lower price. In turn,
hexavalent chromium (shown to cause high bloodbusinesses and consumers can then purchase a
pressure, iron-poor blood, liver disease, and nerverefurbished cisco or refurbished juniper router, dell
and brain damage in animals).server or mac powerbook at a discounted price.
One way to get rid of old computer equipment isThe key to this cycle is no new equipment needs
to donate it to one of the many non-profitto be manufactured, and in turn create additional
organizations that will accept it. Many local schoolswaste.
and non-profits could greatly benefit from yourMany citizens, cities, consumers and corporations
old computer equipment. Two sites to help youstill do not know how to properly dispose of
donate are sharetechnology.org and cristina.org.computer equipment, even though it has become
If you believe that your equipment is beyondso commonplace. It is integral that this 'know-how'
repair or reuse, one option for disposal is the fullbecome common knowledge.
dismantling of the hardware. Many hardware