Recycle That Computer
Computers are made up of a number of small and large components. Most of these components are made of materials that can pollute the environment. It is not possible to build computers without these materials, as they are the heart and soul of a computer, defining its performance and efficiency. These materials are safely contained within a computer and hence, as long as the computers are being used in homes and other places, they pose no problem. However, when they are thrown away with the other waste, they may prove toxic and poisonous, affecting the environment at different levels. Computer recycling is therefore necessary to avoid such harmful effects on the environment.
When computers are thrown away, the chemicals and metals present in them can end up significantly polluting the environment. Worse, they can affect us more directly as these chemicals can find their way into our food chains. Lead, mercury, cadmium and other harmful substances are released during a computer disposal. They can cause many diseases and even deformities over the long run. Wastes that end up in the landfills can be washed away and reach the water bodies. Moreover, the chemicals can themselves penetrate through the land and reach the ground water. Such lands will ultimately end up barren as they can no longer be fit for growing crops.
The problem with this kind of pollution is that it takes a long time to take shape. The chemicals are released into the environment slowly. Thus the effects of pollution due to throwing away computers instead of recycling them are not fully visible. This is one reason people tend to neglect the grave problem. However, the computer industry is quite unique in that newer models keep coming in a matter of months and computers can get outdated in a matter of a few years. This only exacerbates the problem of disposal as more and more consumers look to throw away their computers and get newer varieties. Computer waste is accelerating at an alarming rate in the US and around the globe.
Apart from protecting the environment from pollution through these chemicals, computer recycling can also help the environment. Tremendous amount of energy is involved in extracting metals from the earth’s crust that are used in making computers. In this process, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. By recycling old computers, many of these metals can be reused. Thus it helps keep a check on the amount of resources we are extracting from the earth and also the harmful consequences of extracting them. Moreover, it also saves companies huge costs and time. Consumers and companies as a whole can reduce their carbon footprint through computer recycling.
Computer recycling is the only way in which the problem can be tackled. As newer and improved computers enter the market, the problem of e-waste is going to be really huge. People need to get rid of their computers and buy newer ones. However, do not forget to be environmentally responsible in the process. Only through a collective effort can the catastrophic effects of toxins on our health be averted.
Rodd H. Glover is an avid outdoors-man who cares about the future of our generations. Computer recycling should be mandatory on all PC’s as well as electronics recycling for everything with precious metals.
