Computer recycling and the recycling of other electronics is not new. Just in recent years has this become a political topic (Action Recycling has recycled computers and other electronics for over 20 years, long before regulation laws began hitting the political tables). Computer recycling has become cause for concern because of the mass numbers of computers being made and just as quickly, becoming obsolete. Back when computers were a new and a very expensive technology, businesses and homes alike held on to their investment for several years. Now, with faster and cheaper computers and a much stronger economy than 20 years ago, computers have become a part of business and homes just as much as owning a telephone. With a constant desire for advanced technology and a continued cheaper product, the computer market is through the roof. In just the United States 10 million obsolete computers will be replaced every year. This is promoted by a faster and cheaper computer that is making it simple and common for a business to upgrade every couple of years. This is why politicians have scrambled to find solutions and began regulations that not only now protect our current environment, but also a solution for the future.
Why is computer and electronic recycling important?
Computers contain very hazardous elements such as lead, cadmium and mercury. If billions of computers and monitors end up carelessly in landfills, this would mean disaster to our enviroment. Not only is this a concern today but also a concern for the many, many more obsolete products in our near future. Govenrments have put pressure on the manufactures to make recycling these items in the future more compatible with modern recycling techniques but regardless, recycling computers and electronics is here to stay and responible disposal will be that of the cosumer. Computers as well as many other electronics are growing to record sales every year, more people are replacing old technology every couple years, including many commmon products like cellphones, MP3 players, PDA’s and digital camera. These are all products that our future generation is growing with and becoming dependant on – telling us the foreseeable future and challege in proper handling and disposal.