EPA certified computer recycling and disposal services for NJ, NY, PA, DE, MD, DC, CT

BACK THRU THE FUTURE COMPUTER RECYCLING, INC.

AN EPA CERTIFIED ELECTRONIC RECYCLING COMPANY
(Member International Association of Electronic Recyclers)
(Member National Association for Information Destruction NAID)

SERVICE AREA NJ, NY, PA, DE, MD, DC, CT

973-823-9752 973-823-9762 FAX

"WE RECYCLE SURPLUS ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TO MAXIMIZE ITS ECONOMIC VALUE AND MINIMIZE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT."

WHY ARE USED ELECTRONICS A CONCERN?

"Besides taking up space in empty cubicles and storerooms, end-of-life electronics pose several issues regarding proper disposal and potential environmental consequences.

Discarded Electronics:

Represent a rapidly growing waste stream. Technological advances are rapidly rendering formerly cutting-edge electronics obsolete. An estimated 20 million personal computers became obsolete in 1998. Most of these are in storage. Of the remainder, the bulk were disposed of; probably fewer than 6 percent were recycled. Currently the useful life of a computer is only 3 years and shrinking. In 2005, more than 63 million personal computers are projected to be retired according to a recent study by the National Safety Council.

Waste valuable resources. Electronic products are made of valuable resources, including precious and other metals, engineered plastics, glass, and other materials, all of which require energy to source and manufacture. Many electronic products also contain parts that could be profitably refurbished and reused with little effort. When we throw away old electronic equipment, we're throwing away these resources and generating additional pollution associated with the need to access virgin materials and manufacture new products.

Contain hazardous or toxic substance. Some electronic products (notably those with cathode ray tubes or CRTs, circuit boards, batteries, and mercury switches) contain hazardous or toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and some types of flame retardants, and do so in amounts that may cause them to test hazardous under federal law. In particular, the glass screens, or CRTs in computer monitors and televisions can contain as much as 27 percent lead. Some estimates that since many batteries (such as car batteries) have started to be removed from waste, electronic products represent the largest remaining contributor of heavy metals to the solid waste stream. There is concern, particularly at the state and local levels, that products containing these constituents might pose some environmental risks if they are not properly managed at end-of-life."

US EPA "WasteWise Update" Electronic Reuse and Recycling, Dated 12/00

NATURAL RESOURCES USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF DESKTOP COMPUTERS

There are approximately 6 pounds of ABS or polystyrene plastics found in a standard desktop computer system which includes a CPU, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Each pound of plastic requires 2 cups of crude oil and 50 cubic feet of natural gas to manufacture.

Thus each new computer system requires 1 1/2 gallons of crude oil and 300 cubic feet of natural gas to manufacture.

With 25 million new computer systems manufactured in this country each year, new computer manufacturing requires the consumption of approximately 1million barrels of crude oil, and 7.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas every year.

MATERIALS FOUND IN A TON OF RANDOM ELECTRONIC BOARDS

MATERIAL	LBS/TON	MATERIAL	LBS/TON
PLASTICS	600	GOLD	1
COPPER	286	CADMIUM	.79
IRON	90	TANTALUM	.38
		MOLYBDENUM	.31
BROMINE	56	PALLADIUM	.25
LEAD	54	BERYLLIUM	.18
TIN	44	COBALT	.17
NICKEL	40	CERIUM	.10
ANTIMONY	22	PLATINUM	.07
ZINC	9	LANTHANUM	.06
SILVER	1	MERCURY	.02
SOURCE: TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK

And you thought all you used was electricity with your computer!

There appears to be an ever increasing demand for new desktop computers fueled by the twin engines of accelerated technology and less expensive purchase prices. The resulting obsolescence of older technology is creating a huge backlog of valueless electronic scrap that is expensive to recycle. Who will pay for this recycling? The ability to refurbish and reuse some of the obsolete equipment is part of the answer, but individuals and organizations must recognize the cost of environmentally sound disposal. Without both public and corporate financial support vast amounts of discarded electronics will continue to find their way to landfills or be exported to countries with potentially lax environmental regulations.