HOUSTON COMPUTER RECYCLE CENTER

Recycling Benefits

Most people have the impression that a computer will always be able to hold a high residual value even after the system is a couple years old. Unfortunately this is not true because of the high amounts of new technology flooding the market every year. Almost every computer is worth only a fraction of the original purchase price even after the first year. Older computers are quickly becoming obsolete to make room for the faster, higher potential systems.

Computer recycling helps out more than just your company, office, or home. It helps to clean up the environment by reusing and disposing of equipment properly. Millions of computers and office equipment are being dumped into our landfills every year with the potential of leaching toxic metals into our water supply. By recycling, all hazardous metals are extracted and plastic pieces are removed and reused to make new products. This means less trash to be disposed of.

Did you know...

More than 3.2 million tons of electronic waste is laid to rest in landfills each year.
Nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next 5 years.
Many people discard computers every 3 to 5 years.
In 2001, only 11 percent of personal computers retired in the US were recycled.
Mobile phones will be discarded at a rate of 130 million per year by 2005, resulting in 65,000 tons of waste.

TVs and computer monitors can contain an average of 4 pounds of lead (depending on their size, make, and vintage) as well as other potential toxics like chromium, cadmium, mercury,

WHY ARE USED ELECTRONICS A CONCERN?

"Besides taking up space in empty cubicles and storerooms, end-of-life electronics pose several issues regarding proper disposal and potential environmental consequences.

Discarded Electronics:

Represent a rapidly growing waste stream. Technological advances are rapidly rendering formerly cutting-edge electronics obsolete. An estimated 20 million personal computers became obsolete in 1998. Most of these are in storage. Of the remainder, the bulk were disposed of; probably fewer than 6 percent were recycled. Currently the useful life of a computer is only 3 to 5 years and shrinking. In 2005, more than 63 million personal computers are projected to be retired according to a recent study by the National Safety Council.
Waste valuable resources. Electronic products are made of valuable resources, including precious and other metals, engineered plastics, glass, and other materials, all of which require energy to source and manufacture. Many electronic products also contain parts that could be profitably refurbished and reused with little effort. When we throw away old electronic equipment, we're throwing away these resources and generating additional pollution associated with the need to access virgin materials and manufacture new products.
Contain hazardous or toxic substance. Some electronic products (notably those with cathode ray tubes or CRTs, circuit boards, batteries, and mercury switches) contain hazardous or toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and some types of flame retardants, and do so in amounts that may cause them to test hazardous under federal law. In particular, the glass screens, or CRTs in computer monitors and televisions can contain as much as 27 percent lead. Some estimates that since many batteries (such as car batteries) have started to be removed from waste, electronic products represent the largest remaining contributor of heavy metals to the solid waste stream. There is concern, particularly at the state and local levels, that products containing these constituents might pose some environmental risks if they are not properly managed at end-of-life."

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HOUSTON COMPUTER RECYCLE CENTER Ph: 832-755-7475 Fax: 281-463-4359
11502 Tanner Rd Houston, Texas. 77041