Archive for December, 2008
By: Daniel Johansson
Recycling is one of the best ways in which to have a positive impact upon the world in which we live in. Recycling is highly beneficial for the natural environment and human beings. The amount of the rubbish we create and dump into the environment is rapidly increasing everyday, which is having a horrendous effect on the environment, resulting in global warming and the increase in temperature rise.
The reasons why we are creating more waste are due to; increase in wealth, therefore we have more money to buy products, resulting in more waste. Increase in population means, there are more people creating waste. New packaging and technological products are being developed, much of these products contain materials that are not biodegradable.
Recycling is incredibly important as waste has an extremely negative blow upon the ecosystem. Harmful chemicals and greenhouse gasses are released from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste. Habitat destruction and global warming are some the affects caused by deforestation. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials so that the rainforests can be preserved.
The production of computer parts involves numerous chemicals which are highly dangerous to our health and surroundings. The Information Technology production industry has enormous carbon imprints; however the carbon imprints can be reduced through recycling of computer components.
In order to produce computer parts the IT industry uses raw dwindling resources and materials which are already relatively scarce. It is a well known fact that major companies only keep IT equipment for around 3 years and then dispose of it. Most of the IT equipment is in good condition and can be reused and deployed in the use of charities, homes, schools etc.
Recycling can help in the deployment of old computers, computer components and other computer related equipment, recycling redundant and damaged computers can be turned into component metals which can then go towards building new computer or fixing damaged machines.
Most of the environmental concerns which lie with inappropriate disposal of computers are the monitor. Each colour monitor contains on an average of 4 to 5 pounds of lead. Other chemicals found in computers are mercury, cadmium a known carcinogen and Hexavalent Chromium which is known to cause high blood pressure, iron-poor blood, liver disease, and nerve and brain damage in animals.
Organisations such as Oxfam have set up schemes where other charities and schools in the third world can benefit from old disposed computers. Oxfam collect old computers in order to raise money to help those in need. By disposing of computers in this way, you can help the environment and decrease the population levels. Also at the same time companies can feel good about the way they have disposed computers, knowing that they are helping others.
It is very important to recycle computers, due to high number of computers being disposed of incorrectly or just stored away, is increasing the risk of polluting the environment with unfriendly toxins and excess waste.
Basically any part / component of a computer can be recycled, the keyboard, mouse, printer and monitor. The steel cases can be sold on for scrap metals, as can the chassis of the computer, floppy drive chassis, hard drive cases and drive platters. Heat sinks have to be separated out during the recycling process due to their high aluminium alloy content and these are recycled separately and for less money per kilo nonetheless still worth a cash value.
Just by correctly disposing products can help the environment greatly. By doing this you are also doing your bit to help fight against global warming, habitat destruction and deforestation. All things which are harmful to us and the future generations that have to live on this planet. Due to vast amount of computer waste, computers could become more expensive, due to European laws may force makers to recycle old machines and computer hardware in order to help the environment.
Computer experts have warmed when the new laws are put into force overall computer prices may levitate to anything between $50 to $100. This may force companies into leasing computers to reduce their CPA, and bring down cost in general.
Overall disposing of computers correctly by recycling parts and components could result in a better cleaner less toxic environment. Cleaner environment means less global warming, habitat destruction and deforestation. Also reducing the amount of raw materials needed in order to produce these machines. It is therefore highly important to dispose of the computer in the right place. In many countries dumping of electronic equipment in many areas is banned due to highly toxic chemicals in some components.
December 26 2008 | Recycling | Comments Off
By: Daniel Johansson
Recycling is the buzz word of the 21st Century, with everyone eager to prove their green credentials and help cut carbon emissions. And when it comes to disposing of old or redundant computers it is no different; whether you run a business or you have equipment at home it’s all about computer recycling! But, it’s much more than ensuring that you look to be doing the right thing; refurbishing and recycling computers forms a very important part of a sustainable waste strategy. It is also an effective way of ensuring that computers are re-used in a socially responsible manner within the UK or used to aid Third World development as they can also be exported to countries in need.
Following the introduction of the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) EEC Directive which became effective in the UK on 2 January 2007, the disposal of computers is now strictly regulated. Disposing of old computers also makes good business sense. Most computer recycling firms will pick up your old equipment for free, if you are replacing it or it was sold to you after 13 August 2005 and/or you are replacing it with new equivalent equipment. You will have to pay for disposal if the equipment you are disposing of is not to be replaced. There are also other occasions when you must pay for disposal, if in doubt you should contact a reputable computer disposal company who will be able to advise you of your legal obligations.
As well as giving sound advice the computer disposal company can arrange to remove your equipment. They will also ensure that all information held on the computer memory is permanently wiped from the hard disks and will provide an audit report showing exactly what has happened to your equipment; how it has been processed and where it has gone. So, whether it has been recycled and sent out to other locations or totally destroyed it will be listed on your audit report.
If you do not want to use a commercial company for your computer disposal organisations such as Oxfam will collect unwanted but working computers from businesses in Great Britain. They refurbish the machines and sell them on using the profits to support their charity work. However, you must make sure that you delete all your sensitive information before releasing the machines, and you won’t get a full audit report, but you will have done your bit for the third world!
Although the WEEE regulations became law on 1 January 2007, the phasing of the legislation means that recycling of household goods will not be covered until 1 July 2007. But, businesses are now liable so you must be aware of the regulations as they affect your business and your liability when it comes to the disposal of your computer and electrical equipment.
It is up to you to ensure that your business recycles computers in an environmentally friendly way, whether through a commercial organisation or through a charitable donation. Either way you will be helping do your bit to make this world a greener and better place.
December 26 2008 | Recycling | Comments Off
By: James Kara Murat
These days, given the tremendous amount of waste that is generated every single day, more and more emphasis is given towards recycling. Organizations and even governments all around the world are calling for the efficient implementation of recycling measures especially since research has shown that the earth’s natural resources are fast depleting because of the continuous presence of toxic and unreusable items. Some of these items include computers, batteries and cellular phones, which have become staples in almost every home and office. One can just imagine the millions of tons of waste should these pieces of equipment be allowed to rot. Minerals found on earth are unrenewable resources and should these be used up and depleted due to the presence of tiny yet deadly particles, all of us will suffer.
Hence, everyone is encouraged to learn the importance of recycling computers and batteries and cellular phones.
Computers, for one, have tiny, bioaccumulative compound particles that could pose harm not only to animals and to bodies of water, but to humans as well. Batteries, on the other hand, contain cadmium, lead and mercury. If batteries are carelessly thrown out, they can end up in incinerators and landfills. The earth’s surface may seep the toxic ingredients of batteries and this may lead to soil and water contamination.
Meanwhile, cellular phones have become indispensable gadgets. In fact, the number of cell phone subscribers is anticipated to grow by the billions every year. However, while some consumers store old phones and look for outlets where they can have cell phone recycled, many include these old ones in their household garbage, prompting highly poisonous elements such as mercury and lead found in each cell phone unit to be released. It is important to keep these elements away from landfills so as to maintain the health of the soil and of the animals that depend on the earth for food.
There are many resources available to help recycle computers, batteries and cell phones. For one, there are organizations that take in these old items via drop off centers or home pick-up scheme. These organizations either refurbish the items and donate them to financially hard up communities or forward them to a recycling facility for proper disposal.
Placed here for Francoise Christine East Orange NJ
December 25 2008 | Francoise Christine East Orange NJ | No Comments »
By: Kevin Dark
Times were when a computer that broke down would be taken to the repair shop and fixed for further use. Now, no sooner does the computer break down than you will feel the urge to simply junk it and purchase a newer system that offers more features. These days it has become very easy to go the green way and try and also make a savings and in this you will be helped by big companies such as HP that take in your old computers to take a load of your shoulders.
Companies such as HP have some very novel ideas about how to get rid of your ageing computer equipment while still helping to preserve the earth and all of its beauty. In some of these recycling processes, you will find that the community benefits and so does the environment. You will be able to use the new technology to your advantage while also choosing the path of trading in old equipment for the newer ones. There is also the possibility that you will be paid for certain items of equipment that are no longer required.
New technology can benefit you in other ways as well and if you spare a thought for a moment and pause to reflect on how your old technology equipment can be used in a more humane way, you should not have any problem understanding that there are others that are not as fortunate as you and who would appreciate your generosity in donating your old computer for a worthy cause.
With newer recycling technologies emerging and affecting us all it has become possible to recycle computers as well as rechargeable batteries and other computer equipment through some state-of-the-art processes that companies such as HP employ to make absolutely certain that your no-longer wanted equipment gets a decent new lease of life and the environment and nature are not adversely affected.
Multinational companies have their own novel ways of recycling computer equipment using the best technological means and it is not just confined to North America, but will also help people in far off Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines as well as Thailand. Everything computer can be recycled using these new recycling technologies though some multinationals only accept their own branded equipment. Nevertheless it is a step in the right direction while you may need to provide some proof of having purchased their product before it gets accepted into their new recycling technology programs.
To ensure that the recycling does not harm the environment or nature, these latest computer recycling technologies makes it possible for other parties to use this obsolete equipment in such a way that a new product emerges and thus keeps the environment protected against wasteful and harmful toxins.
With better material recovery techniques, this new computer recycling technology focuses not on incinerating the equipment, but to get the maximum possible recovery. Of course, not all of the material is recoverable. Also, because of certain difficulties in technically achieving total recycling, some amount of equipment does end up becoming useless. Even then, there is hope for recovering energy and thus recycling is practiced as close to recovering waste as is possible.
December 25 2008 | Recycling | Comments Off
By: Sam Brown
Computer recycling nowadays is easy to do and very commonplace as computers can be easily refurbished in order to provide 3rd world countries with older yet functioning models of computers. Disposing of computers properly is extremely important because if you sell your computer or give it away then the person who receives it has unlimited access to all of your personal information that was stored on it. If you leave your computer in the street for anyone to take away, then they would be able to access this private information as well.
In a day and age where it is easy to steal someone’s identity with such a small amount of information, and companies are reaping the benefits of “ID Theft Prevention” plans, it is sad to think that a smart adult would forget how much personal information they’ve got stored on their computer. Every time you enter and save a small piece of personal information into a computer, it remains in the hard drive and usually takes a computer expert to wipe your computer clean of all of the tiny bits of your personal information. Any time you save a password or send an e-mail, that information remains no matter how many times you clean the “cookies” and free up some memory.
Any time you order something over the internet using a credit card number, that number gets sent to the company and is usually stored in their memory so that the next time you visit their website, shopping and paying is quicker and easier. As many as 9 million Americans have their identity stolen every year, but sadly, most of these victims are cautious consumers who happen to be targeted because of one little mistake. Disposing of your computer the wrong way could be the one little mistake that your creepy neighbor is waiting on in order for them to gain access to an abundance of your personal information.
With your personal information at the tip of their fingers, identity thieves can easily commit fraud by opening up new credit cards under your name and billing address, using your social security number to obtain illegal employment, get a loan or mortgage under your name, or even just an ID card with your name and their picture. There are no limits to what an identity thief can do with your personal information, and their reach stretches further if they have access to your e-mail accounts and internet pay systems.
The best way to protect yourself against identity theft is obviously to be a conscious consumer when it comes to using your credit cards, watch your credit history and make sure that details such as billing statements coincide with your personal records. It’s important to watch what and where you spend your money, and to make sure it’s only you doing the spending with your accounts.
It’s okay to save personal information on your computer, as long as your computer remains in your hands. Once you are done with a computer either because it’s old or broken or you’re ready for an upgrade, there is only one safe way to dispose or recycle your old computer. In order to insure safety of your personal data and comply with environmental standards for computer disposal, your computer must be sent to a computer disposal or recycling company. Businesses such as those will properly dismantle a non-useable computer or will remove all of your personal information so that the computer is ready to be refurbished. Either way, years worth of your personal information that you entered into your computer will be properly wiped away and the theft of your identity via your trashed computer will no longer be a concern.
December 25 2008 | Recycling | Comments Off