e-Waste?

Why should I care?

Electrical and electronic equipment are made up of a multitude of components, some

containing toxic substances which can have an adverse impact on human health and
the environment if not handled properly. Often, these hazards arise due to the improper
recycling and disposal processes used. “Now our biggest
For example, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) have high content of carcinogens such as
environmental problems
lead, barium, phosphor and other heavy metals. When disposed carefully in a come from our own
controlled environment, they do not pose any serious health or environmental risk.
However, breaking, recycling or disposing CRTs in an uncontrolled environment
actions, our own
without the necessary safety precautions can result in harmful side effects for the choices, rather than
workers and release toxins into the soil, air and groundwater.
pollution produced by
Another dangerous process is the recycling of components containing hazardous big business.”
compounds such as halogenated chlorides and bromides used as flame-retardants in
plastics, which form persistent dioxins and furans on combustion at low temperatures former Minnesota Governor
(600-800°C) Copper, which is present in printed circuit boards and cables, acts a
catalyst for dioxin formation when flame-retardants are incinerated. The PVC sheathing Jesse Ventura,
of wires is highly corrosive when burnt and also induces the formation of dioxins. A
study on burning printed wiring boards in India showed alarming concentrations of
dioxins in the surroundings of open burning places.

Computers for Charity

252 South Main Street
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
computersforcharity@gmail.com

http://computersforcharity.webs.com
Simply taking your computer to the nearest recycling center just doesn’t cut it anymore! Though well intentioned,
your effort may be in vain. Most recycling centers simply disassemble the equipment ,shred it and melt it down for
the precious metals and other raw materials the computers contain. ‘Recycling‘ in this manner consumes 20 times
more energy than reuse. Worse than that, some unscrupulous recycling companies sell the equipment to
undeveloped countries as e-waste where it is recycled by poor workers in an unhealthy and environmentally unsafe
manner. This is not only only harmful to the local inhabitants of these countries, but for the environment as a whole.

Taking your computer to a refurbisher is a better option. Energy does not get wasted tearing down the old equipment
and melting it down for the raw materials. There is also the benefit of one less computer that needs to be
manufactured. The benefits of refurbishing go beyond environmental consciousness though. Non-profits such as
Computers for Charity will take your equipment at no cost to you and refurbish them to be distributed to
disadvantaged families as well as other small charities who don’t have the disposable income to purchase new
computer equipment.

Statistics

e‐Waste shows a higher growth rate than any other

category of municipal waste. Overall, between 2007 and
2008, total volumes of municipal waste DECREASED,
while e‐waste volumes continue to increase.

In 2008, we generated 3.16 million tons of e‐waste in the

U.S. Of this amount, only 430,000 tons or 13.6 % was
recycled, according to the EPA. The rest was trashed – in
landfills or incinerators. (The total generated increased from
3.01 million tons of e‐waste generated in 2007, but the
recovery rate stayed at 13.6%

E-waste is routinely exported by developed countries to

developing ones, often in violation of the international law.
In the US, it is estimated that 50-80 percent of the waste
collected for recycling is being exported in this way.

Yes, you can help!

If you have a computer that is less than five years old, it can be put to good use by
someone else. Even computers that are non-functioning can still yield valuable parts to
repair other computers. We can recycle your old computer equipment at no cost to you
and reduce the impact on the environment by refurbishing them and providing the gift of
technology to disadvantaged families right in our community.

For volunteer positions visit computersforcharity.webs.com and

click on the volunteer opportunities button on the lower left
panel on the page.