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Recycling Computers & Electronic Equipment
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- Computer & Electronic Reuse & Recycling Options (Primarily in Western WA)
- Computer and Electronics Recycling/Reuse Links (100K+ file)
Used computers and other electronic equipment can be recycled in several ways. The link above for computer & electronic reuse & recycling options, contains information about businesses that accept electronic equipment for reuse or recycling. EPA Region 10 thanks the King County Solid Waste Division for providing us with the information from which we developed this list. Please help us keep our list useful and up-to-date by sending your corrections or additions to Michael Fagan (fagan.michael@epa.gov). You may find additional recycling businesses listed in your yellow pages under, "computers-used" or "scrap metal".
Reuse
Computers and electronic equipment that still work, but are obsolete, may be suitable for reuse. Check with local schools, training institutions, or non-profit organizations to find out if they accept donations of this type of equipment, or use the list of recycling options to obtain the names of organizations that will repair, consolidate, or reassemble the equipment before donating or selling it.
There are a growing number of hobbyists interested in very old computers. Any machine that is "so obsolete that it can't be reused" may actually be of great interest, and potentially worth much more than its value in scrap metal. Older is better here. There is a "classic computer" mailing list at classiccmp@u.washington.edu , and more info can be found at http://www.cs.unc.edu/~yakowenk/classiccmp/
Recycling
Equipment that does not work and is not repairable, or is so obsolete that it can't be reused, can be disassembled for the scrap value of various components. Printed circuit boards and wiring may contain recoverable quantities of precious metals and base metals; frames and cases may contain recyclable steel or plastic; monitors and TV's contain cathode ray tubes (CRT's) which are made of leaded glass and can be recycled into new CRT glass or smelted for recovery of lead. These recycling options are not available in all locations, and are not always cost effective. For example, there are, as yet, no facilities in the western United States that recycle used CRT's into new CRT glass, therefore, this recycling option is not cost effective in the Northwest (see the list of recycling options).
Treatment and Disposal
Many electronic and computer components contain metals. If these components are placed in a landfill the metals may leach out and pollute ground water. For this reason, some electronic components need to be regulated as hazardous waste.
In some cases, the recycling of CRT's or the recovery of lead from CRT glass may be considered treatment of hazardous waste. The regulatory status of these activities varies from state to state. Persons collecting, storing or transporting CRT's for recycling or disposal should contact their state hazardous waste program. For more information on efforts to address the regulatory status of CRT recycling, see EPA's Ecycling Webpage.
Printed circuit boards may also be hazardous waste, but if they are processed for metals recovery they are exempt from hazardous waste regulations. If, however, printed circuit boards are destined for disposal they are not exempt from hazardous waste regulations. Individuals seeking to dispose of printed circuit boards should consult their state hazardous waste program.
Businesses that need to dispose of computer equipment or any electronic components should contact their state or local hazardous waste programs to find out what regulations apply. Discarded equipment from homes, if hazardous, is considered "household hazardous waste" and can be disposed of with other household wastes. Check with your local solid waste utility or residential waste hauler to make sure they will take this type of waste.
Unit: Compliance Unit
Michael Fagan
E-Mail: fagan.michael@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-6646
Phone Number: (206) 553-6646
Last Updated (mm/dd/yy): 10/23/2007
Recycle
http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/OWCM.NSF/hide/pcrecycle |
