E-Waste: The Computer Problem

Today, my daily perusal of Green Biz led me to this report on computer waste problems. Its an interesting problem. The average computer is discarded in about two years…but most business owners and individuals have no idea how to dispose of these outdated machines properly. In fact, about two thirds of all old computers are basically just sitting around because people don’t know what to do with them.

Its a problem we don’t often talk about, and that in and of itself is a problem. Here are some staggering facts announced in the report:

• About 50% of computers turned in to recycling centers are still in good working condition – they are simply not the best technology available anymore.

• Computers and other electronics are made with more than 1000 different substances, many of which are toxic.

• E-waste is a bigger problem than disposable diapers and plastic packaging.

• Between 1997 and 2007, an estimated 500 million computers became obsolete, either through becoming worn out or because their owners replaced them.

Taking your computer to a recycling center is not a good option. It might be better than throwing it away with your other trash, but the sad fact is that much of the United States’ toxic computer waste is sent to China and other overseas countries with more lenient toxin policies. I know we’re all focused on living in a greener United States, but China is still part of our world. Toxic waste ANYWHERE is not a good idea.

While there are still limitations as to what we can do, here are a few computer ideas for environmentally-friendly upgrades:

~Look for greener computers. A number of computer manufacturers are rethinking their production processes in order to create less waste when the computers are thrown away.

~Wait until you need to upgrade. Yes, having the latest version of everything is important for your business, but if an upgrade isn’t 100% necessary, wait until next year. Only upgrade when there is significant reason to do so.

~Talk to local organizations like churches, schools, women’s shelters, etc. There are many places that you can donate older working computers. That need family down the street would be happy to take your old computer, and they don’t mind that it has an outdated video card or takes a bit longer to get to an Internet page. Wipe your data from the hard drive and give it away!

What are you doing about e-waste in your business? Leave a comment below!

Picture from sxc.hu.