Terminal cancer

Outdated computers are piling up, raising questions about the environmental impact of technilogical disposal

by niki mayercak

Photo illustration by Randy Yeip

Millions of computers are thrown away each year—and the number is rising. By 2004, 315 million computers will be sitting in U.S. landfills, according to the Silicon Valley Toxic Coalition.

“Both corporations and consumers should be worried about what is done with computer equipment once its useful life is over,” said Olga Meydvray, a research assistant for SVTC’s Clean Computer Campaign.

In 1998, out of the total number of new computers on the market, only 6 percent of computers were recycled.

“By the end of 1999, 20 million computers in the U.S. were dumped, incinerated, shipped as waste exports or put into attics and basements,” Meydvray said.
Many consumers do not know about the harmful toxins used in the production of computer equipment. Lead, mercury and chromium are just a few of the hazardous materials that have made their way into drinking water.

According to the National Safety Council, landfill workers suffer miscarriages, cancer and other illnesses as a result of environmental risks of dumping computers. This waste creates an enormous risk for the environment, human health and landfill workers’ safety.

“The leakage of these toxic substances could create a disastrous effect for all of us and should be a constant concern,” Meydvray warned.

And that’s not to mention the damage that could be done to wildlife and the foodchain.
Back Thru the Future, an EPA-certified computer recycling company, specializes in reducing the amount of electronic waste. The company recycled approximately 100,000 computers last year. In previous years, between 13,000 and 15,000 were recycled.

“We try to take out as much reusable material as possible while also properly managing current technology,” said vice president Dan Bayha, who is in charge of the recycling program. The company expects a federal computer disposal law within two years.

Computer recycling, because of the initial cost, turns off most consumers. Back Thru the Future charges $15 for a monitor, $.30 per pound for a computer and $5 for a printer.

Preventive Measures

Not all landfills are equipped to handle the growing waste of computers. According to the EPA, in 1997 more than 3.2 million tons of waste from computers ended up in landfills.

The disposal of cathode ray tubes found inside computer monitors in municipal landfills is prohibited. These CRT’s contain about 4–6 pounds of lead that can contaminate groundwater.

SVTC recommends companies use environmentally safe materials by phasing out certain toxic materials. Manufacturers should be responsible for meeting the proper recycling goals, including the cost, and offer this as an option to consumers. This will provide an incentive for companies to offer more environmentally safe equipment to consumers.

Global Take-Back

Some U.S. computer manufacturers, such as IBM and Hewitt-Packard, offer a take-back program for consumers but charge a $30 fee to recycle. It is not required by law in the United States to trade in old computers—and the fee may seem too expensive for some people, when they could dump computers in the trash for free.

Japan and Europe, on the other hand, offer take-backs for free. In April 2001, several environmental initiatives were taken to reduce electronic waste. Two of the most influential are:

• Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment. The WEEE directive will require electronics manufacturers to assume full financial or physical responsibility for their products at the end of their useful life.
• Restrictions on hazardous substances. The ROHS will phase out some of the most hazardous substances in the electronic industry, including lead, mercury, chromium and several types of brominated flame retardants.

Two-Faced Take-Back

Some companies that are required by law to follow certain restrictions in Europe and Japan do not do the same in the United States. IBM for example, offers take-back programs for free in certain European countries. Apple and Sony offer full-scale take-back programs in Germany but do not in the United States.

Computer disposal is different for consumers and companies. Certain businesses are required to dispose of their computers that contain hazardous materials in them but some are still being disposed improperly. Since there are no federal regulations on computer disposal, the EPA offers suggestions on what to do with a used computer.

They include:

• donating it.
• selling it to a dealer.
• paying for it to be recycled.
• disposing of it at a local hazardous waste collection facility.

The SVTC recommends consumers write to manufactures and ask them to take computers back for free.

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