Ethan Brennan
Homeschooled
"My Computer = Future E-Waste?"

You just got the latest computer that can run the newest programs and games faster than any other on the market. But did you know that the average life span of the computer is only about 3 years? You may want to replace the old one with a newer model, but what do you do with the obsolete one? Now the easiest way to get rid of the old one is to throw it in the trash, but it is no the most environmentally safe or effective way to dispose of your old computer. The many harmful elements found in computers make it important for you to know what to do with your outdated computer.

While the computer is in use these substances are not dangerous, but if disposed of improperly they can be very harmful. According to the EPA, computers in landfills can leak into the soil and water or disperse as specks into the air. Some examples of hazardous materials found in computer are: lead, mercury, barium, pvc, brominated flame retardants, chromium, cadmium and beryllium. These toxins can harm kidneys, liver, bones, cause thyroid damage, lung disease, asthmatic bronchitis and brain damage.

By recycling your obsolete computer you prevent this dangerous situation from happening. The recycling process begins with whole computers and other electronics being torn into smaller pieces so the entwined elements are more easily separated. Leaded glass in cathode ray tubes is sold to foundries to be used as the fusing component in the processing of raw lead ore. Other valuable metals, like silver, gold, palladium, copper and tin are sold to smelters to be recycled. Hazardous bases and smoke produced by these processes are caught, contained and decontaminated. Creative Recycling System’s Vice President, Joe Yob, "The air that comes out is cleaner than the ambient air in the building." While this sounds great, it’s not always what happens when you drop your computer off at a recycling plant.

According to Basel Action Network, about 80% of e-waste directed to recycling in the United States does not get recycled there at all. But instead is put on ships bound for countries with lower environmental standards. Some of these countries include China, India, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. And while you may feel good about donating your personal computer to charity stores like Goodwill so that someone who needs a computer can buy it, scrap dealers can also buy bulk loads of used computers form these charities. They sometimes ship them overseas to be burned for valuable materials and in the process release dangerous toxins into the air. There are a few ways to cut down on the e-waste being sent overseas, for instance, you can research the companies before you donate or recycle your computer. Websites like the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Earth911.com are good places to learn about recycling outdated electronics.

Don’t look at your old computer as just another piece of trash. If you don’t dispose of it property, it should be looked at as a dangerous piece of equipment. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem that we call global e-waste.

This essay has been reproduced without its Works Cited. For more information about this essay, please email Becky Haltermon at bhaltermon@boonecountyky.org.