One of the best things about technology is that it is everchanging. However, this often means we are frequently upgrading our electronics, especially our computers. Businesses and individuals alike end up with old electronics that they no longer use. Electronics like computers should not be disposed of in landfills. Consider computer recycling instead to reduce landfills, conserve resources, and promote environmental health. Read on to learn more about computer recycling.
Computer Recycling Process
Computer recycling is the reuse or reprocessing of laptops and desktop computers. Computer recycling also includes other computer components like keyboards, motherboards, mouse, central processors, and monitors. The metals, wires, and plastics used to make a computer do not degrade quickly in landfills, and require resources to make. By recycling computers, you can renew these resources and save money.
The first step in computer recycling is the collection. There are collection centers that take in obsolete computers and electronics. Each recycler works differently has policies for how they handle collection. Before submitting your computer to a computer recycling collection center or service, you should always have it professionally wiped to ensure your private data is protected.
Collection centers then sort the computers based on type. They typically put computers with cathode ray tubes (CRT) in one category and all the other computers in another. After sorting, the center will test for reuse to see if any computers can be upgraded/ refurbished and then donated or sold.
The computers that are not able to be reused are then manual disassembled. All computer components are taken apart including graphic cards, DVD drives, circuit boards, hard disks, speakers, sound cards, and hard disks.
The materials are then separated into material compositions. Hazardous materials are harvested and disposed of, and the rest of the pieces are shredded separately. Smelting is used to recover precious metals and valued component. Any recovered materials can then be processed and reused to create new products.
Benefits of Computer Recycling
Computer recycling has many great benefits including:
- Conserving natural resources. Computer recycling helps limit the resources it takes to create new computers and electronics. Many of the parts from old computers can be reused to create new computers.
- Supporting people in your local community who then get access to refurbished computers. Recycled computers are great resources for communities. Low-income families, schools, and charitable organizations can utilize recycled computers.
- Create local jobs in electronic recycling
- Decluttering your home and freeing up space. Old electronics take up space unnecessarily. Cleaning out your home is not just about getting rid of old clothes. Computer recycling is a great way to safely dispose of your electronic clutter.
Instead of letting old computers take up space in your home, recycle them through a computer recycling service. Computer recycling is quite a process, but it has many incredible benefits for our environment and communities. Recycling computers is a much better alternative to disposing of computers in landfills. Do your part to benefit your community and the planet by recycling your old computers. To learn more about computer recycling and how to fully remove your personal information before recycling, contact us HERE.
