Title: Computer recycling - Wikipedia
Headings: Computer recycling
Computer recycling
Contents
Reasons for recycling
Regulations
Europe
United States
Federal
State
Asia
South Africa
Recycling methods
Consumer recycling
Scrapping/recycling
Sale
Take back
Exchange
Donations/nonprofits
Junkyard Computing
History
E-cycling
Pros of e-cycling
Criticisms of e-cycling
The fate of e-waste
Policy issues and current efforts
Data security
Reasons to destroy and recycle securely
Secure recycling
See also
References
External links

Content: Electronic recycling occurs primarily in order to recover valuable rare earth metals and precious metals, which are in short supply, as well as plastics and metals. These are resold or used in new devices after purification, in effect creating a circular economy. Such processes involve specialised facilities and premises, but within the home or ordinary workplace, sound components of damaged or obsolete computers can often be reused, reducing replacement costs. Recycling is considered environmentally friendly because it prevents hazardous waste, including heavy metals and carcinogens, from entering the atmosphere, landfill or waterways. While electronics consist a small fraction of total waste generated, they are far more dangerous. There is stringent legislation designed to enforce and encourage the sustainable disposal of appliances, the most notable being the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive of the European Union and the United States National Computer Recycling Act. Contents
1 Reasons for recycling
2 Regulations
2.1 Europe
2.2 United States
2.2.1 Federal
2.2.2 State
2.3 Asia
2.4 South Africa
3 Recycling methods
3.1 Consumer recycling
3.2 Scrapping/recycling
3.3 Sale
3.4 Take back
3.5 Exchange
3.6 Donations/nonprofits
3.7 Junkyard Computing
4 History
4.1 E-cycling
4.1.1 Pros of e-cycling
4.1.2 Criticisms of e-cycling
4.1.3 The fate of e-waste
4.1.4 Policy issues and current efforts
5 Data security
5.1 Reasons to destroy and recycle securely
5.2 Secure recycling
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
Reasons for recycling
Obsolete computers and old electronics are valuable sources for secondary raw materials if recycled; otherwise, these devices are a source of toxins and carcinogens. Rapid technology change, low initial cost, and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of computers and other electronic components around the globe. Technical solutions are available, but in most cases a legal framework, collection system, logistics, and other services need to be implemented before applying a technical solution.