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Recycling Your PC Before You Buy It

Cell phones, laptops, PCs, televisions and electronic toys that chirp, speak, and play music abound in the United States, but not too many people think about what happens to these gadgets when we’re done with them.

Most people send them to the landfill or store them in closets and basements. But used, outdated and unwanted electronics have a tendency to pile up. Last year alone, Americans discarded some 130 million cell phones and replaced 65 million personal computers.

Out of sight, out of mind? Think about this: Tossed out TVs and computers contain as much as 8 pounds of lead apiece, along with mercury, cadmium and other toxic stuff that might not hurt you sitting on your desktop but can cause real health problems if they leach into the local landfill (and water supply). Mercury and lead are known to cause neurological and central nervous system damage to children, leading to lower intelligence and learning disabilities, among other problems.

Recently, these mounting piles of toxic e-waste have gained the attention of lawmakers. At least four states have passed legislation requiring the establishment of statewide electronics recycling programs, and others are in the process of debate.

For example, Washington State recently passed a law that places financial responsibility for recycling electronics on the manufacturers of this equipment. In California, consumers pay a recycling fee when they purchase a PC or TV. North Carolina is in the midst of a debate over legislation that would tax consumers $4 for every computer, television or printer, then use the money to create free drop-off sites that would dispose of electronic waste.

But even if your state hasn’t launched an electronics recycling program, there are several ways you can dispose of used gadgetry without sending it to the top of the nearest landfill. Hewlett Packard, for example, will pick up used computer equipment (whether they made it or not) from your home, and provides customers the option of recycling it, trading it in for cash or credit towards new equipment, or donating it to a school or charity. Customers can also buy used or refurbished equipment through Hewlett Packard.

Many schools and charitable organizations also accept used computer equipment.

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For more information about Hewlett-Packard’s computer recycling and other related programs, click here.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org