Information on
Recycling Computers

Page Contents:

What is Considered a Computer?
Massachusetts Laws and Regulations
Benefits of Recycling/Reusing Computers
Computer Recycling Tips
Donation Information
Computer Recyclers Listing
Facts & Figures
Associated Links

What is Considered a Computer?

For the purposes of this Web Page WasteCap considers a computer to be the central processing unit (CPU), or the “computer tower”, and any accessories such as the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

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Massachusetts Laws and Regulations

• Effective April 1, 2000 Massachusetts imposed a ban on the disposal, incineration, or transfer for disposal of Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) at a solid waste disposal facility. Cathode ray tubes are the picture tubes found in computer monitors. Thus, in Massachusetts, it is illegal to dispose or incinerate any computer monitor containing a CRT. You must reuse or recycle them.
  
  To learn how the CRT ban will affect your disposal methods, see WasteCap’s Computer Monitor Recycling Page
  
  For a detailed description of the rules and regulations pertaining to the CRT waste ban, visit the MA Department of Environmental Protection’s Web page for TV and Computer Reuse and Recycling: http://www.state.ma.us/dep/recycle/crt/crthome.htm
  
  
• There is currently no legal restriction on the disposal of CPUs or electronics other than CRTs.

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What are the Benefits of Recycling or Reusing Computers?

·          Save Money:  If you are able to donate working equipment, you will save on disposal costs, and you may be able to receive a tax break.

·          Provide Social Benefits: Donating electronic products extends their useful life and affords individuals or organizations that could not buy new equipment the opportunity to make use of secondhand equipment.

·          Divert Material from Disposal: Computers are bulky items. The disposal of these devices drives up the rate at which landfills will reach their capacity.

·          Reduce the Need for Strip Mining: When recycled, computers can be used as a source of precious metals found in circuit boards, power supplies, and the like.

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Computer Recycling Tips:

1. Donate Your Equipment: If your organization wants to remove a whole computer unit (that's not too old, usually a 486 processor or higher), you may be able donate it. By donating your equipment you can avoid disposal fees and may receive a tax break. More so, you will be helping people or organizations who could really use your old equipment. Information on computer equipment donations is available on WasteCap's Computer Donation List: (www.wastecap.org/wastecap/commodities/computers/compdonations.htm)
    
2. Recycle Computer Units that Cannot be Donated: If your organization has a computer unit(s) to dispose then view WasteCap’s Recycling Services Directory. The Directory contains a listing of computer and electronic equipment recycling/reuse haulers available in Massachusetts. Disposal costs vary; call the individual haulers for information (phone numbers are supplied in the Directory).
   
   
3. If You Have Computer Monitors (or CRTs) Only: If you have a monitor(s), without the accompanying computer components then view WasteCap's Computer Monitor Recycling Page

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Computer Donation Information

If your organization wants to remove a working monitor, or a whole computer unit (that's not too old, usually a 486 processor or higher), you may be able donate it. By donating your equipment you can avoid disposal fees and may receive a tax break. More so, you will be helping people or organizations that could really use your old equipment.

Information on organizations that accept computer donations is available on  WasteCap's Computer Donation List: (www.wastecap.org/wastecap/commodities/computers/compdonations.htm)

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Computer Recyclers Listing:

Use the Recycling Services Directory to find a recycling services provider:
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> VIEW THE DIRECTORY

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If you have only computer monitors to recycle:
A list of haulers/recyclers who specialize in monitor/CRT removal can be viewed at:
WasteCap's Computer Monitor Recycling Page  (www.wastecap.org/wastecap/commodities/crt/crt.htm)
 

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Facts & Figures:

·         1.5 million computers enter waste streams annually.

·         By 2004, as many as 315 million obsolete computers could potentially be disposed of in landfills.

·         Dumping 315 million computers into landfills amounts to the introduction of 1.2 billion pounds of lead, 2 million pounds of cadmium, and 400,000 pounds of mercury into waste streams.

·         In 1998, only 6 percent of discarded computers were recycled.

·         By 2005, most people will trade in their computers for new models within 2 years of purchasing them.

Associated Links: 

 Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WasteWise Program Publication Page

WasteWise is a free, voluntary, EPA program through which U.S. organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste, benefiting their bottom line and the environment.
This link connects to their publication page, which contains an informative periodical (available to download) on electronics reuse and recycling.

The Consumer Education Initiative
http://www.eiae.org/

The Consumer Education Initiative is a web-based information resource that provides consumers and others with information on recycling and reuse opportunities for used electronics.

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Return to the WasteCap Home Page

WasteCap of Massachusetts
68 Hopkinton Road
Westboro, MA 01581

Phone: 781-679-2176
 Fax: 978-703-1285
wastecap@wastecap.org