Each year millions of computers, mobile phones and other electrical equipment are sold to homeowners and businesses. However, after a few years most of these end up in landfill or stockpiled. Making sure your old equipment is properly recycled, and does not end up in developing countries, is important. Many electronic items contain toxic substances that can pose a serious risk to human health if not disposed of adequately. Several e-waste ingredients identified by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition [1] are:

• Lead: Lead is frequently found in older monitors and in soldering on circuit boards, with exposure causing brain and nerve damage, blood disorders and developmental damage to unborn babies.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Found in printed circuit boards and in components such as cables, plastic covers and connectors. PVC is hard to recycle, and when burnt releases extremely carcinogenic dioxins.
• Mercury: Mercury can be found in LCD screens, switches, thermostats and flat-panel displays, as well as in some batteries. Exposure through inhalation and ingestion can cause chronic damage to the brain and central nervous system.
• Cadmium: A known carcinogenic and classified as toxic, cadmium compounds can accumulate in the body, especially in the kidneys. Cadmium is used in infrared detectors, chip resistors, semiconductors and some plastics.

Start by making sure you purchase the most environmentally sound option whenever possible, and if you lease equipment, speak to your leasing company to find out what their recycling and disposal policies are. You can purchase energy efficient electronics from Energy Saving Warehouse’s range. You can also recycle items such as mobile phones, print cartridges and computers at little or no cost, with a growing number of charities and other organisations providing a variety of services.

Mobile Phone Recycling

Instead of keeping a box of old mobile phones, many companies will now recycle phones for money. While working phones have the highest value, most companies will also take broken phones, either fixing or recycling them. Websites such as Mobile Phone Recycling [2], Simply Drop [3] and Compare My Mobile [4] are among the many options available for those looking to get rid of their old mobile phones in an environmentally friendly way.

Computer Recycling

Many non-profit organisations now exist that collect computer and other electronic equipment, to either reuse, recycle or de-manufacture. Contact details for many of these organisations can be found online [5], with the number growing yearly. Computer Aid International is one of the most prominent charities, refurbishing and supplying over 212,000 computers to developing countries such as Chile, Malawi and Nepal [6]. Donating your old equipment to a charity such as Computer Aid International can reduce your carbon footprint, and help to provide a source of education and access to the outside world to those living in impoverished countries. For even less of an impact on the environment you could purchase an environmentally friendly computer to begin with.

Print Cartridge Recycling

The average household uses 2-3 inkjet cartridges a year, with businesses often using a great deal more. Only a small percentage of these cartridges are recycled, with most ending up in landfill sites, taking decades to decompose. Most cartridge manufacturers now have collection and recycling programs, often paying the cost for the return of the cartridge, meaning users can be environmentally friendly without having to pay extra to do so. Manufacturers such as Epson [7] and Hewlett-Packard [8] have options for home owners, small business owners and larger businesses, to cover all printer users.

References

[1] The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition. Poison PCs and Toxic TVs. 2004. http://svtc.org/wp-content/uploads/ppc-ttv1.pdf

[2] Mobile Phone Recycling. Mobile Phone Recycling. 2013. http://www.simplydrop.co.uk/

[3] Simply Drop. Simply Drop. 2013. http://www.simplydrop.co.uk/

[4] Compare My Mobile. Compare My Mobile. 2013. http://www.comparemymobile.com/

[5] IT for Charities. Recycled PCs. 2013. http://www.itforcharities.co.uk/pcs.htm

[6] Computer Aid International. Our Projects. 2013. http://www.computeraid.org/our-projects.asp

[7] Epson. Epson’s Cartridge Collection and Recycling Program. 2010. http://content.epson-europe.com/environment/collectandrecycle/en/

[8] Hewlett-Packard. HP Supplies recycling program. 2013. https://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/ereturns/welcome-cs.asp?__cc=gb&__la=en