Recycling Your IT

Computer Recycling and the Environment

2010-05-04

The use of computers has become an integral part of work and home life. The importance and need for recycling is greater now than ever before. Millions of businesses and individuals upgrade their computers without engaging in computer recycling. They often are ignorant of the damage that harmful toxins used to make computers pose to the environment.

Computers, like most electronic devices, are made from resources that contain toxins. These toxins include lead, mercury, lithium, beryllium, and cadmium, as well as many more. In fact, many old computer monitors that have picture tubes contain dangerous amounts of lead. Research has shown that electronics are one of the leading causes of heavy metal waste being introduced into the environment.

Toxins such as lead, mercury, and beryllium from computers end up in landfills. Once they enter a landfill these extremely harmful toxins can find their way into the soil and water. These toxins pose a great threat to the environment and to you.

For this reason it is important to dispose of computers properly. There are a number of ways to dispose of computers in a safe manner. Recycling is one of the best ways to get rid of your old computer and there are many businesses that store old computers that could be put to good use by those in need. Schools, churches, recreation centres, retirement centres, and prisons are just some of any number of places that need used computers.

The cost of recycling does not compare to the price that the environment will pay from our lack of action on reducing e-waste.