Computer Recycling

Computer Recycling

Introduction

Computer waste is assumed to be one of the fastest growing waste in the world. It has been estimated that an average computer has a life of a life of almost five years. When this life period is over, the problem arises that what to do with this and how to dispose it off using safe and sustainable methods. the waste generated by the computers is hanger and hazardous to the health.

The substances and materials like cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, chromium or brominated flame retardants are present in the waste that is generated by the computers. These materials have been harmful to health and create hazards for the environment as well. UN estimated that every year, there is almost between 20 and 50 million tons of e-waste is generated.

Discussion

Sustainable Practices in Auckland

Auckland is one of the major and important cities of New Zealand. The waste generated in the city makes one of the major parts of the waste material of the country. There was estimation that about approximately 830,000 new computers were sold in the country in the year of 2005. So the production of computer waste can be estimated according. There are many industries working in the city of Auckland in order to recycle the waste generated by the computers.

Recycling on small scales and refurbishment is always taking place on the local networking and community levels but the there are many other big organizations in Auckland working for the computer recycling in order to save the environment (Miller, et.al, 2009).

There are many organizations that are working on the local level and these refurbishment industries are making great contributions in the recycling of computer waste but on the other hand, there are many other organizational setups that are structured in Auckland for the recycling of computer or e-waste.

Organizations namely The Ark Recycling is an organization work for the computer recycling in Auckland. They gather the waste of computer usually from the industries, refurbish the entire computer and then sell them at a real low cost usually in schools (Frisman, 2005). Over the past three years, Ark has taken in over 8,000 computers and has yet to dispose of any parts. Other companies include Molten Media, EzyPC, Computer Recyclers NZ, and The Computer Broker. Dell Australia & New Zealand has instigated a voluntary recycling program that offers home business, and small industry customers a way that they can dispose of unwanted PC's.

Background and Cause of This Situation/Practice

The computer products reach their “end-of-life” (EFE) after a particular period of time so they need to be disposed off. These disposals have increased the landfills to a large extent. As these wastes contain toxic materials that are dangerous for the human materials.

Unconditional increase of Toxic components

Increasing Amount of EEE Waste

Recycling Infrastructure is Not in Place

The ethical implication the computer recycling is mentionable. The beneficiaries get real big advantages out of these computers recycling. These organizations collect the computer waste from the industries, homes and other small industries, bring them to the ...