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.
Computers are complex machines and are made up of a number of chemicals and materials, quite a few of which can be toxic. This directly affects the environment where these chemicals might be released. If computers are simply thrown away, they sit in the landfills along with all the other trash and slowly begin to disintegrate. In this process, all the chemicals leak into the environment, polluting the surroundings. The land is the first casualty of this pollution. However, these chemicals can have a surprisingly long life and can seep into the ground water as well. Poisonous metals like lead, cadmium and mercury from computers are one of the most common pollutants and these are well known to cause many health problems in people. Therefore the pollution arising from improper disposal of computers can be quite serious to the environment and can directly affect our health. This is why computer recycling is the need of the hour to avoid any potential hazards in the future.
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the computer industry is quite unique in that newer models keep coming in a matter of months and computers can get outdated in a matter of a few years.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.
Recycling also helps reduce the overall greenhouse gas emission from computer manufacturing, thus helping the industry become more sustainable. As a consumer, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint by recycling your old computer instead of throwing it away. This is true even for the industry as a whole and companies can be greener if they recycle.
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.
