Cyber Sustainability (75% complete)

“The computer and electronics industry has become the largest manufacturing employer in the United States, representing 11 percent of the gross domestic product and growing at an annual rate of 4 percent” (Houtman). Everybody needs the newest, fastest, and most portable model available. There are superstores that only sell electronics and computer equipment. Department stores set aside valuable square footage in order to display the newest gadgets. It is estimated that over 300 million computers are purchased worldwide each year. According to Green Living, it requires 530 pounds of fossil fuel, 48 pounds of chemicals, and one and a half tons of water in order to manufacture just one computer(Larkin). Some manufacturers are trying to reduce the amount of toxins and hazardous chemicals they use in the production of their computers. Each one of these reductions will reduce the amount of toxins that may end up buried in a land fill or emitted into the atmosphere from an incinerator. Some European electronics manufacturers are required to reduce the amounts of hazardous materials used in their products. They are also required to be responsible for the recycling and the disposal of the consumers unwanted products.
The factories that produce the computer components expose their employees to large amounts of chemicals. Lead, phosphor, barium, and chromium are used in the production of cathode ray tube (CRT) display monitors. Resistors and semiconductors contain cadmium and plastic casings and circuit boards are coated with toxic flame retardants. These and other chemicals which are used are known to cause cancer, miscarriages, and birth defects. These factories also emit chemical waste into the atmosphere and contaminate local water supplies.
It is estimated that when three computers are purchased two computers are replaced. Some of these replaced computers are placed into storage until they are discarded into a landfill where the toxins can be released into the atmosphere or leached into the water supply. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) places restrictions on businesses and requires them to dispose of certain materials into hazardous waste landfills. The problem with these restrictions is that households and small businesses are exempt. Some of these computers are collected for recycling and then shipped to Africa, India and Asia. The recycling costs in these countries can be ten times less than in the United States. This is because these countries have less laws protecting their workers and the environment. In these countries the precious metals, such as gold, copper, iron, silicon, and nickel, are extracted by whatever means are necessary. When some of these products are incinerated then mercury, lead and cadmium can be released into the atmosphere. When mercury is in the atmosphere it can accumulate in seafood and then passed into the general population. When plastics and the flame retardant components are burned other toxins are released.
Computers have become a necessity in our daily lives and we are becoming more and more dependent on them. Before we purchase a new computer we could look look into upgrading our existing system. Maybe more memory, a faster chip, or a new component can be added instead of purchasing a whole new outfit. Besides the possibility of saving money you would be saving those fossil fuels and chemicals that it takes to manufacture a new computer. If you need to purchase a new model then try to purchase a model that will be upgradable in the future. Remember that you can still use your existing monitor, mouse, speakers, and keyboard. Before you purchase a new computer you could find a reputable used retailer who may have just what you need.
If your old computer needs repairs you could donate it to a electronics repair school or a repair shop who could use it for training purposes. Sometimes you can trade your old computer in and they will reuse the good working parts and recycle the rest. If your old computer is not that old and still has a little life left in it you could donate it to a nonprofit organization. They can usually remove personal files and pass the computer along to somebody less fortunate. If your computer is older and outdated then maybe recycling is the answer. Some of the large electronics stores will take your old computer and dispose of it properly when you purchase a new one. They will pass it along to a reputable recycling company. Some cities who offer recycling have a program where they will take computers and dispose of them properly.
There are many items that can be recovered by recycling a computer. TALK ABOUT THE RECYCLING PROCESS






Works Cited
Houtman, Carl. “Computer recycling.” Encyclopedia of Earth. Environmental Information
Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment, 29 Aug. 2008. Web. 14 Feb. 2011. .
Larkin, Karen. “Computer Recycling Statistics.” Green Living. Lovetoknow.com, n.d. Web. 14
Feb. 2011. .
“Recycling Old Electronics.” Web of Creation. Webofcreation.org, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
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Greenpeace?