| Computers are now a major part of every day life in | | | | example), so you could possibly return the computer |
| the 21st Century and as technology advances and | | | | to the manufacturer, and many other firms |
| prices drop, more and more computers and IT | | | | specialising in the sales of computers may even take |
| equipment are replaced on a regular basis leaving the | | | | your old one when you purchase a new one so it is |
| question of what happens to the old ones. | | | | always worth asking. |
| According to Waste Online, the market for | | | | Take it to a Recycling Centre |
| refurbished computers has risen by 500% in recent | | | | You could take your old computer to an established |
| years and yet less than 20% of unwanted | | | | waste disposal facility to recycle it. First you should |
| computers are recycled. In the UK alone, around a | | | | check what they can accept and whether or not |
| million tonnes of electronic and electrical waste is | | | | they will take care of removing files and personal |
| produced and computer equipment makes up nearly | | | | data from the computer's hard drive. Even if your |
| 40% of this waste and up till now, a large proportion | | | | computer isn't in good working order, it can often be |
| of it ended up in Landfill sites or was incinerated. This | | | | repaired and upgraded to the point it is useful for |
| poses a major threat to the environment and our | | | | someone else. If this is the case then it is wise to |
| health as computers are laden with toxic material and | | | | check beforehand that they comply with the |
| as such, are considered hazardous waste. Monitors | | | | Electrical Equipment (Safety Regulations) 1994 which |
| for example, contain a lot of lead. | | | | requires that all the equipment must be safe to use. |
| New regulations have been introduced in order to limit | | | | Donating your computer to someone else |
| the amount of electronic and electrical waste, which | | | | Most computers can be reused by someone else so |
| includes computer and IT equipment, ending up in | | | | another option is to donate the computer to a non |
| landfill sites. | | | | profit organisation or an organisation specialising in the |
| Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) | | | | re-distribution of computers, possibly to schools or |
| Regulations 2006 | | | | third world countries. If you have any software that |
| The regulations came into force on the 2nd January | | | | you want to donate with the computer, try to get |
| 2007 and will be fully implemented from the 1st July | | | | together all the relevant licences and supporting |
| 2007 and require that anyone manufacturing, branding | | | | documentation. An important point is to find out what |
| or importing electrical and electronic equipment which | | | | will happen to the computer when it needs disposed |
| came on the market after 13th August 2005 will be | | | | of if, particularly if it may end up in a third world |
| responsible for the safe and environmentally friendly | | | | country as there is no point in protecting the |
| disposal of that equipment. | | | | environment at home only to pollute it somewhere |
| This means they will have to fund the cost of | | | | else. |
| collecting, treating and recycling all electrical and | | | | Protection of Data |
| electronic equipment and by the 15th March 2007 | | | | A major concern when recycling computers is what |
| should have already registered with a compliance | | | | happens to sensitive and personal data that could be |
| scheme in order to carry this out. By April 2007 they | | | | present on the hard drive. Most organisations |
| must mark their goods with a crossed wheelie bin | | | | specialising in redistributing or reselling old computer |
| symbol meaning it must not be disposed of along | | | | equipment will ensure that your hard drive is |
| with other household rubbish. | | | | reformatted and all personal data erased but you |
| So what options do you as a consumer have when | | | | should always check that this is the case. If you are |
| you no longer require your old computer? | | | | more technically minded you can, if you prefer, clean |
| Disposing of Computers | | | | your computer yourself beforehand. If your |
| If you want to get rid of an old computer or | | | | computer has been used for business purposes then |
| computer parts then you basically have a number of | | | | under the Data Protection Act, all information |
| options: | | | | collected by businesses must be destroyed when the |
| Sell it | | | | storage system it was kept on (your computer's |
| If your computer is in good working order then you | | | | hard drive for example) is no longer being used by |
| could ask around for anyone who is looking for a low | | | | the business. |
| cost PC, or perhaps put an advert in the local | | | | Conclusion |
| newspaper or in your local shop windows. This way | | | | As responsible citizens we all have an obligation to |
| everyone wins as the computer is reused by | | | | make sure that our computer and IT related |
| someone else, you get something for it, and it | | | | equipment is disposed of in a safe and |
| doesn't harm the environment. | | | | environmentally friendly way. In order to be sure that |
| Returning your computer to the manufacturer | | | | this is the case, it is essential only to use companies |
| An increasing number of companies are offering a | | | | and organisations that are fully licensed with the |
| free return service for their old computers, (DELL for | | | | appropriate governing bodies. |