Sustainability and International reuse of Computers
There's more to sustainable business computing than just energy-efficiency. When choosing 'green' computers, it's also important to consider their whole life cycle, from design and manufacturing through to recycling and disposal, as well as their broader impact on the people and places around them. Computers are an important component of the growing volumes of end-of-life electronics, also known as e-waste. Disposal of used computers in countries such as the U.S and other developed countries is increasing. These computers are resold, sent to landfills, recycled domestically or shipped abroad for reuse and recycling. While precise estimates remain elusive, a significant portion of end-of-life computers go abroad and are recycled by an informal or backyard industry. Informal electronics recycling activities have been documented in many parts of the world, including Guiyu and Wenqiao in China, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and New Delhi inIndia, Lagos in Nigeria, and Karachi in Pakistan. These reports indicate serious environmental implications of informal recycling. While computers have valuable recyclable materials they also contain toxic substances of concern. Backyard recycling processes both release these toxics as well as generate new ones. The reuse of computers is better than the recycling of computers.
There's more to sustainable business computing than just energy-efficiency. When choosing 'green' computers, it's also important to consider their whole life cycle, from design and manufacturing through to recycling and disposal, as well as their broader impact on the people and places around them. Computers are an important component of the growing volumes of end-of-life electronics, also known as e-waste. Disposal of used computers in countries such as the U.S and other developed countries is increasing. These computers are resold, sent to landfills, recycled domestically or shipped abroad for reuse and recycling. While precise estimates remain elusive, a significant portion of end-of-life computers go abroad and are recycled by an informal or backyard industry. Informal electronics recycling activities have been documented in many parts of the world, including Guiyu and Wenqiao in China, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and New Delhi inIndia, Lagos in Nigeria, and Karachi in Pakistan. These reports indicate serious environmental implications of informal recycling. While computers have valuable recyclable materials they also contain toxic substances of concern. Backyard recycling processes both release these toxics as well as generate new ones. The reuse of computers is better than the recycling of computers.