It's hard to throw out a machine you spent so much money on not so long ago. It seems there has to be some way to recover the value that's left in it. Well, American Retroworks Inc. (Good Point Recycling) in Middlebury, Vermont, and Electronicycle in Gardner, Massachusetts have found the best ways currently available, and are always looking for better! All computers collected by WSWMD go to Good Point or Electronicycle for recycling. Check out their sites:
If possible, the computers are refurbished into easy-to-use systems which are sold for very low cost. If not, the machines are "de-manufactured" into their separate components and each is recycled in the most environmentally sound manner available.
Recycling Fees
Because recycling costs money--all the collection, transportation, demanufacturing, and material recovery that goes into it--we have to charge something to help offset the cost. You may bring your computer to The WSWMD Facility during regular open hours.
- Computer Units (mouse + keyboard + monitor + CPU = a unit) $10.00/unit
- Computer Parts/Individual Pieces (monitor, fax machine, printer, CPU, etc - anything on its own) $ 5.00/piece
- TV's and Microwaves $10.00/piece
- Console TV's $20.
The Goal of the Program
- Reduce the burden of toxic electronic waste on Vermont waste disposal outlets.
- Make electronics collection as affordable as possible for residents.
- Maximize the reuse potential for old computers, televisions, and microwaves.
- Maximize the recycling of the valuable materials in electronics within the U.S.
- Ensure that recycled materials are not dumped onto developing countries, creating a pollution burden there.
The Issues
In the US alone,
Mining and strip mining for gold, copper, mercury, and lead hardrock mining have the worst environmental impact on the planet; these non-renewable resources are being mined more rapidly over the past decade, frequently on federally subsidized land, to feed the demand for newer electronics. http://www.mineralpolicy.org
Monitor CRTs (cathode ray tubes) contain high concentrations of leaded glass; at the current rate of dumping, these are suspected by EPA to be one of the leading sources of lead deposits in incinerator ash. According to research performed by American Retroworks, few of the computers being thrown out today have an actual hardware problem. While chips, power supplies, boards, hard drives and components remain intact for eight years or longer, the demands of new software render these PCs "obsolete" after just 3 years.
Links
The State of Vermont also maintains a web site dedicated to the issues of computer recycling at http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/wastediv/R3/computers.htm