Essay
Recycle Computers
Emily Hernandez
The use of electronic products has grown substantially over the past two decades, changing the way we communicate. New and more advance technology comes out every month, demanding to upgrade, improve or to replace our old technologies. That is what is happening with the use of computers. Many consumers spend top dollars to have the latest, fastest, more efficient computers. But, where do old, outdated computers end up? Sure computers are handy when they are working but once they have been chewed their last byte, then what? Do we just throw them away in the trash or do we tear them apart? An alternative is computer recycling. Computer recycling is nothing new, many develop countries have been recycling old computers, but sometimes getting your old computer to the right recycled facility is a bit hard. Toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and heavy metals are all part of the problem of dumping old computers in a regular trash facility. The reason is because they are harmful for the environment and most of all for mankind. What can we do to help recycle old computers? Where can we take them? How safe are these recycle facilities? What are the advantages and disadvantages in recycling? And finally, how those it affect our environment.
Computer recycling centers started in 1991 in California, U.S.A, with the CRC (Computer Recycling Center). This program is the oldest continuously operating full service collective, reuse, and refurbished program in the United States. The CRC participates in collecting and dropping-off millions of pounds of computer equipment from landfills. The priority of the program is to reuse the entire units, followed by disassembly for reuse of parts, finally, recycling for the elements of unusable remaining items. Their mission is to reuse first and recycle unusable items from ending in our landfills. The problems that this program faces are getting people to accept the importance of recycling a computer, and...
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