Computer Waste & Recycling   Term Paper ID:32508 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Examines the problem of recycling computers in business includes alternatives and recommendation for donation ...... More...

3 Pages / 675 Words 4 sources, 5 Citations, APA Format $12.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: Examines the problem of recycling computers in business; includes alternatives and recommendation for donation to charity. Includes statistics on the scope of the problem. Global implications of computer waste problem. Paper Introduction: Enterprise Systems Engineering Introduction Trash is a problem that confronts everyone whether in a personal or acommercial setting Landfills are becoming filled and the mediaoccasionally focuses on trash barges that are unable to find someplace tooffload their cargo For many companies the issue of trash is one thatthey have handled aggressively Many companies recycle paper and otherconsumables and may even recycle office furniture Computers pose theirown set of problems when it comes to obsolescence however Computers canbecome outdated within a relatively short Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. The third-party can sell or donate themachines according to their own business strategy and the needs of thecommunity. See the European UnionDirective on Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) formore detailed requirements.* U.S. It is importantthat a logistics company with experience in handling electronics be used toensure a higher yield rate on materials.Quantifying the eventQuantifying an event can help advertise and promote future workshops,and it can land additional grant money. Directory.* IBM's Environmentally Conscious Products Program has e-waste disposalofferings in 16 countries.* Dell offers a computer recycling program for U.S. Take a planned approach to disposaland equipment retirement. Computers pose theirown set of problems when it comes to obsolescence, however. You cannotsimply throw this stuff out!Want to Know More?* From Computerworld:* "Cleaning IT's Basement."* "Toxic Legacy."* From Back Thru the Future Computer Recycling, Inc.:* "Why Are Used Electronics a Concern?"* "Waste Regulations."* From the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition:* "Toxics in a Computer."* "Fourth Annual Computer Report Card."* "Exporting Harm: The High-Tech Trashing of Asia," Silicon Valley ToxicsCoalition and the Basel Action Network.* "UN study: Think upgrade before buying a new PC," InfoWorld.The Worst OffenderE-waste in now the fastest growing waste type in the U.S., according tothe U.S. Local ordinances also mayprevent a sponsor from advertising on public property with banners orlogos.However, obtaining federal, state, local or private foundation grants andsoliciting volunteers will help entice corporate sponsors because companieswill be more likely to participate if the financial burden will be shared.To attract unpaid volunteers, companies should allow partners, civic groupsor nonprofit organizations to receive the donated computers. Studies conducted by the U.S. PC recycling to help needy connect. For many companies, the issue of trash is one thatthey have handled aggressively. Many governments are making the dumping of e-waste illegal, so make sure you create an audit trail for all equipmentfrom its purchase through to its ultimate disposal. Conclusion The frequent obsolescence of computers causes problems not only forthe companies who must make strategic decisions about their upgrades, butalso for society as a whole which must deal with the toxic waste that thesemachines generate. Toxic hazards and the cost of computerdisposal are of concern to Australians, as they are to companies elsewhere. The act establishes a point-of-purchase fee ranging from $6 to $1 that consumers will pay to retailers to help cover the costs of e-wasterecycling.Nevertheless, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB),Sacramento, expects the management and operational costs for haulers,municipalities, and recyclers of e-waste to increase as the number of one-day special events to collect the waste grows. landfills by the end ofthis year. This does not generally result in a tax write-off, but doessave the company the resources necessary to establish a donation program. Despite the legal requirement for disposing of waste in an efficientand effective manner, there can be considerable expense with simply haulingthe garbage away. If this isn't in your budget, storage isalso a viable short-term solution; however, proper disposal procedureswill still have to be conducted at some point.4. There are several optionsfor the disposal of e-waste, including donating to charities, participatingin vendor-sponsored programs, or employing paid recycling services. References Invest in a recycled computer. Environmental Protection Agency.315 million PCs are expected to pile up in U.S. Additionally, a keycomponent of the collection of monitors is reuse or resale. Enterprise Systems Engineering Introduction Trash is a problem that confronts everyone, whether in a personal or acommercial setting. Estimated cost of computer disposal in Australia is estimated at more than$2 million annually ("PC Recycling," n.p.). This can be a significant sum for many companies. Donating the machines to charity, or arranging for athird-party to do so, can be the most effective way to ensure that good-but-older machines are given a second life as useful pieces of technology. Curbside and commingledcollection methods often are not practical for monitors and tvs becausethese items tend to be too bulky for residential pickups and have highbreakage rates.In anticipation of this trend, and to help smooth out some of thechallenges of hosting collection events, Peninsula Sanitary Services Inc.(PSSI), Stanford, Calif., Dell Computers, Round Rock, Texas, and theNational Recycling Coalition (NRC), Washington, D.C., developed a public-private partnership and sponsored a two-day e-waste collection workshop atStanford University in October. (2 4, April 1 ). For moredetails on computer recycling, call 116 222 232.Article A114623439(c) 2 4 by The Gale Group, Inc.Gale is a Thomson Corporation CompanyBusiness & Company Resource Center -- News/Magazine Article PageBusiness & Company Resource CenterAsia Africa Intelligence Wire, April 1 , 2 4 pNAPC recycling to help needy connect.Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2 4 Financial Times Ltd.(From Canberra Times)A computer-recycling project designed to help families in need and reducecommercial waste going into landfill has been launched.The Green PC project, which was brought to the region by Anglicare Canberraand Goulburn and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, is run by Infoxchange, anot-for-profit social enterprise providing affordable recycled computers topeople on low incomes.Launching the project in Queanbeyan, the recently retired Secretary ofthe Department of the Environment and Heritage Roger Beale said Green PCwould help disadvantaged people take a full part in the computer age whilehelping to solve a major environmental problem. Also, consider leasing or outsourcing desktops toeliminate the problem altogether.2. Budget for disposal. Dispose of e-waste in a responsible manner. The other option is for companies to use a third-party to haul awaythe waste. According to some estimates, events that result intechnology simply being taken away can range in price from $1 , to$5 , . This waste will account for more thanfour billion pounds of plastic, a billion pounds of lead, and millionsof pounds of other toxic chemicals.--Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, January 2 3Article A114423411(c) 2 4 by The Gale Group, Inc.Gale is a Thomson Corporation Company. The problem is also being squarely addressed in Australia where nearlyone million computers are put into landfills on an annual basis and other1.3 million are put into storage. The primary advantage to this strategy is the tax write-off;the primary disadvantage is that the company has no way of knowing how thecomputers will actually be used and, depending on the age of the computer,it may be difficult to find an organization that is willing to accept thedonation. Environ Computer Reuse refurbishes more than 1, machines ayear and then sells them to the public.The machines are donated by organisations upgrading their IT equipment.These computers are ideal for children because they are high quality butlow cost, which will be a blessing if they have any accidents! Few major computer manufacturers are willing to pay for thecollection of e-waste that is not their own. More information on e-waste eventscan be found in "Computer Recycling for Education," available at Barnes& Noble Bookstores or www.computerrecycleforeduc.com.Article A112643 92(c) 2 4 by The Gale Group, Inc.Gale is a Thomson Corporation Company.Business & Company Resource Center -- News/Magazine Article PageBusiness & Company Resource CenterInfo-Tech Advisor Newsletter, March 16, 2 4 pNAIs your IT storeroom a toxic waste dump?Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2 4 InfoTech Research GroupSources: (Back Thru the Future Computer Recycling Web Site, ComputerworldArticle, InfoWorld Article, Silicon ValleyToxics Coalition Web Site, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the BaselAction Network Report)You might not think of your IT storeroom as a toxic waste dump, but allthose old monitors, outdated CPUs, and boxes full of dusty peripheralscontain toxic substances. Factors Contributing to Problem In 2 3, California passed the Electronic Waste and Recycling Act,making it the first of the United States to legislate the disposal ofcomputers. To helpmitigate the threat of litigation, create an asset disposal policy that isenvironmentally conscious and complies with local and federal regulations.* The European Union is ahead of the game in terms of reducing e-waste,and has recently passed legislation requiring vendors to phase out manydangerous toxins from electronics products by 2 6. Mr Beale said people whodid not have access to a personal computer and the Internet weredisadvantaged compared with most of the ACT and Queanbeyan community.''There is a real risk we are becoming two nations, separated by a greatdigital divide, with those on the wrong side of the divide losing touchwith an Australian community which does more and more of its educational,social, commercial and government business over the Internet,'' he said.''The gap in the opportunities between those who can access and use thenew technology and those who are locked out by its cost, or theirdisabilities, is becoming a more and more important symptom and source ofsocial and economic inequality.'' Mr Beale said the project would also haveenvironmental benefits by reducing landfill waste.''Almost one million computers are disposed of to landfill in Australiaeach year, while only a third a recycled,'' he said. Possible Solutions One solution is for companies to donate their older computers tocharity. ''Another 1.3millionobsolete computers get stuffed into garages or closets every year, storingup a future landfill problem.'' Mr Beale said the estimated cost ofcomputer disposal was more than $2million a year, but the estimates did nottake into account the toxic hazards that could arise from poor computerwaste management.''Computers contain lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flameretardants,'' he said. VolunteerMatch [www.volunteermatch.com] can be used to help find volunteer eventstaffing. Nonprofit organizations are sometimes willing to arrange pickupfor these machines, and may even use the older machines as a trainingopportunity to help disadvantaged individuals gain skills (Chaney, 2 4).Schools and other types of nonprofit organizations may themselvesappreciate the donation of computer systems that can be used in theiroperations. Practice sound asset management. With a budget of $15, ,collection costs amounted to approximately $319 per ton, which is towardthe low end of the spectrum. Ensure that computerassets aren't ending up in a field somewhere, as regulatory bodies caneasily trace equipment using serial numbers or asset tags.5. PSSI's collection budget was approximately$15, .Workshop leaders say inviting corporate sponsors and donors to participate- a task that is not so easily accomplished - is one of the best ways tocut costs. ''If they get into the groundwater through leachingout of landfill they can create real environmental problems.''Infoxchange, which hires long-term unemployed people to recycle thecomputers to help them develop skills to find further work, also donatedtwo computers to local men's refuge Mary's Place, so homeless men couldhave computer access.Father Michael Cockayne said Mary's Place helped hundreds of men eachyear, and the donation would help homeless men by providing them with acontact e-mail address. When selecting a disposal service, look forsolution providers with zero-landfill policies and beware of low-costbidders, many of who may be working through shady brokers to ship oldequipment to dumps in developing countries or to illegal waste sites. Shop green. According toGartner Research, more than 24 new bills are currently working their waythrough state legislatures (via Computerworld, February 2 4). In addition,companies may not be certain how best to dispose of these assets. Consider that everynew computer system requires at least 24 kg of fossil fuels, 22 kg ofchemicals, and 1,5 kg of water to produce (UN Study, via InfoWorld).Action PlanThere are several steps that you can take to help reduce the harmfulenvironmentalimpact of retired IT equipment. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA), Washington, D.C., state that e-waste collectioncosts range from $24 per ton to $1,24 per ton.In addition to adding e-waste runs to curbside routes, increasing one-daye-waste events demonstrates the waste industry's concern and creativityin solving an environmental problem. Computers canbecome outdated within a relatively short time compared to other types ofequipment, and thus may need to be disposed of more often. Though wecannot guarantee that all the services listed use best practices, thefollowing resources should help you get started in the right direction:* UsedComputer.com for a listing of disposal services and used computercharities.* ComputerHope.com's computer disposal/donation information provides alisting of North American disposal services.* Toxic Lemon for a listing of e-waste disposal services in the U.K.* Listing of charitable organizations that take used computers, providedby Yahoo! Thisresearch considers the scope of the computer waste problem and considerstwo alternatives that companies can undertake to help deal with the issue. customers.* Hewlett-Packard offers product recycling in 38 different countries.3. Consider the following recommendations:1. This means that companies only make one phone call to arrangethe pick-up, and they do not need to build relationships with nonprofitorganizations in the community. 63 million PCs were junked last year.--Computerworld, February 2 4The SVTC claims that about half a billion PCs will become obsolete inthe U.S. In other cases, the machines are given to charity orsold at a discount (2 4, March 16). Remember to train volunteers and to obtain a waiver or signedrelease from them excusing the waste hauler or event sponsor fromliability.Managing logisticsLogistics are best left up to professional service providers because theyhave expertise in acquiring the necessary permits, security, trafficcontrol, insurance, signage, safety equipment, containers, semi tractor-trailers, forklifts, drivers and material handlers. Europe IntelligenceWire, n.p. ''It will open up whole new avenues for us andwe can address new issues,'' he said.Under the Green PC project, recycled computers will be available to peopleon low incomes at Anglicare's Bargain Hunter store in Queanbeyan andthrough Infoxchange's web site.Article A1152 8993(c) 2 4 by The Gale Group, Inc.Gale is a Thomson Corporation Company.Business & Company Resource Center -- News/Magazine Article PageBusiness & Company Resource CenterWaste Age, Jan 1, 2 4 v35 i1 pNAStreamlining E-vents.Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2 4 PRIMEDIA Business Magazines & Media Inc. Asia AfricaIntelligence Wire, n.p.Business & Company Resource Center -- News/Magazine Article PageBusiness & Company Resource CenterEurope Intelligence Wire, March 24, 2 4 pNAInvest in a recycled computer.Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2 4 Financial Times Information Ltd.(From Leicester Mercury)My friends kept their daughter entertained by letting her play on theircomputer - until she broke it by spilling a drink.As well as having to fork out for another computer, mum and dad lost allof the work they had stored on the machine.Needless to say, they did not want to give their daughter a chance towreck their new computer, but she has to use the Internet for her homework,so they came up with the idea of buying a second-user computer.This refurbished machine cost less than a third of the price of a newone.Buying a recycled computer also helps to prevent the mountain of hi-techequipment piling up on our landfill sites.About 13 million new computers are sold each year, but producing eachone uses at least 24 kg of fossil fuels and an average of 22kg ofchemicals.The manufacturing process also requires 1.5 tonnes of water, so alltogether the materials used to create a new PC weigh more than arhinoceros! In addition,there is the question of what is done with the waste once it is removedfrom the company; the result is often that it ends up in landfills ratherthan being recycled. Many legislative issues canpose a liability to organizations that fail to adhere to sound computerdisposal practices. Under the Act, fees are charged to consumers at the time thatthey purchase new equipment to help cover the disposal costs associatedwith the disposal of high-technology garbage (Chaney, 2 4). Numbers and statistics will proveto potential sponsors and to the public that the waste hauler is operatingefficiently.PSSI collected more than 47 tons of surplus, obsolete or end-of-lifemonitors, computers and related equipment. According toGartner, the average cost for the proper disposal of a PC is around $3 .Other sources report costs around $2 for PCs and $25 for monitors (viaComputerworld, February 2 4). When writingup RFPs for new equipment, include specific terms for the disposal ofexisting IT equipment. Beware of local and federal regulations. over the next few years. Recycling computers is one way thatcompanies are able to avoid disposing of outmoded equipment in a way thatgenerates additional waste, and the recipients of the recycle computers areable to purchase these machines at a fraction of their original cost("Invest," 2 4). (2 4, March 24). In the U.S., some states such as California havealready passed e-waste laws, and many others are in the pipe. Look for products with eco labels and read the "FourthAnnual Computer Report Card" from the SVTC for a comprehensive look athow various manufacturers rated in terms of e-waste handling. companies should review the "Universal Waste Regulations" postedby Back Thru the Future Computer Recycling (with links to state and federalEnvironmental Protection Agency regulations).Bottom LineTreat electronic equipment and computers as hazardous waste. Allrights reserved.Byline: Al Chaney Rancho Murieta, Calif.WHEN CALIFORNIA PASSED the Electronic Waste and Recycling Act of 2 3,it became the first state to legislate the handling and disposal of e-waste. Many companies recycle paper and otherconsumables, and may even recycle office furniture. For acombined environmental and data security solution, seek out vendors thatalso offer disk erasure and hard drive sanitation services. Landfills are becoming filled, and the mediaoccasionally focuses on trash barges that are unable to find someplace tooffload their cargo. The workshop uncovered three top challengesto e-waste collection events: controlling finances, managing logistics andquantifying the event.Controlling financesBased on PSSI's workshop, the partners estimate an e-waste collectionevent can cost anywhere from $1 , to $25, for a small event to $25, to $5 , for a large hauler. Disposing of e-waste isn't cheap. Those computers are often replacing existing systemscontaining mercury and other toxic chemicals, and the problem of disposingof these computers can be daunting. Before you "junk" your next PC or monitor,educate yourself on environmental best practices and the possible legalramifications involved in disposing of e-waste.Toxins Sitting on Your Desk* Four to eight pounds of lead found in the average CRT monitor.* Beryllium in motherboards and connectors.* Mercury in flat panel displays and switches.* Brominated flame retardants.* PVC plastics.* Cadmium in SMD chip resistors, infrared detectors, and semiconductors.These and other dangerous compounds found in computer hardware cancontaminate the environment and pose serious health risks if equipment isshredded, burned, or dumped in landfills.Resources WastedThe careless disposal of computer equipment is also a waste of valuableresources that can be recycled and otherwise reused. Toavoid public scrutiny and costly litigation, companies need to carefullyexamine disposal services. Scope of Problem With more than 13 million computers sold each year, the problem hasglobal implications. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.

Many of our Papers can be Downloaded From This Site!

PLEASE READ THIS, IT IS IMPORTANT!

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm (PST). You may place orders for custom research over the phone during office hours. E-mail requests can be made to our graduate and undergraduate department any time, and will be reviewed during office hours. You may also contact customer service any time through e-mail, and we will review your message during business hours. A great many papers can be downloaded right from this site, but not all of them. If you would like to know if a particular paper is downloadable, just look in the description for: "Available for Internet Download: Y" or "Available for Internet Download: N" If you wish to purchase a paper which is NOT available for immediate download, you will need to make other shipping arrangements. Also, please be aware that these orders are processed Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm (PST). If you place your order after 4:45pm on Friday, it will not be processed until the following Monday morning. We charge $8 per page for all of our pre-written reports, plus shipping (and tax for California residents). However, the highest cost of any ONE report is $136, or 17 pages. Please, take a moment. Make sure you have chosen the report you want or need BEFORE you complete your order. If you are not sure, allow us to help you. We do not offer refunds or exchanges, so it is important for you to let us answer your questions during office hours. Reports which are e-mailed or downloaded are in Microsoft Word format. We are making more reports available for e-mail delivery faster than we can update our listings. Please call to check on the status of particular reports. There are many other shipping options which are listed on the Checkout page.