Recycle your old PC - Don’t trash it!

Personal computers have come a long way. From the good old 486 to the latest and greatest in quad-core technology; PC’s have only gotten more and more powerful over time. What’s shocking though is that although there is such a great emphasis by companies and manufacturers to deliver better computing power in the hands of the common man, nothing much has been done when it comes to creating a cosy retirement home for those old systems. What we are talking about here are those old or older systems that have broken down after extended use and have for long stopped serving their primary purpose.

Statistics show that about 50 million tonnes of old electronics are dumped at landfills worldwide on a daily basis; which means that not only are those aged systems containing toxic materials entering the lot, but also recent systems which are probably a decade old. A typical piece of electronic equipment — especially one like a PC with many circuit boards — may contain up to 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) of lead, along with lower levels of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, beryllium and other toxic chemicals. These elements are all toxic at varying exposure levels.

Technology is pacing ahead these days with newer, faster and more power efficient computing systems helping deliver more in a shorter span of time. Although these newer systems are more efficient, they also shorten the buying cycle on the consumer end. Some companies do have a recycling plan set in place, where they would gladly accept the old system and send them in for recycling rather than letting the customer trash them in the garbage.

A lot of parts in a PC can be reused and researchers are working hard to make the process of recycling motherboard components simpler. Heat sinks from motherboards and casings are all made of aluminium which can contribute as aluminium scrap in Dubai. Wires can be stripped with a wire stripper and the copper can be sold along with the copper windings of the various motors that are present as copper scrap in Dubai. Scrap metal businesses in Dubai buy such metals because they have value and because every single contribution counts; and helps us take one step further when it comes to establishing a cleaner and greener environment.