Computers are made up of a number of small and large components. Most of these components are made of materials that can pollute the environment. It is not possible to build computers without these materials, as they are the heart and soul of a computer, defining its performance and efficiency. These materials are safely contained within a computer and hence, as long as the computers are being used in homes and other places, they pose no problem. However, when they are thrown away with the other waste, they may prove toxic and poisonous, affecting the environment at different levels. Computer recycling is therefore necessary to avoid such harmful effects on the environment.

When computers are thrown away, the chemicals and metals present in them can end up significantly polluting the environment. Worse, they can affect us more directly as these chemicals can find their way into our food chains. Lead, mercury, cadmium and other harmful substances are released during a computer disposal. They can cause many diseases and even deformities over the long run. Wastes that end up in the landfills can be washed away and reach the water bodies. Moreover, the chemicals can themselves penetrate through the land and reach the ground water. Such lands will ultimately end up barren as they can no longer be fit for growing crops.

If old computers are simply thrown away in the trash, they will be taken along with all the other garbage to the landfills where they will simply be dumped. As these chemicals don’t really degrade, they will slowly enter into the environment. The first damage they do is to the land - these toxic chemicals seep into the land, rendering it useless to grow crops. However, this is just the beginning. These can be washed down to other areas through rain water and can easily seep into the ground, contaminating ground water. There are hundreds of toxins out there in your computer, so you can imagine the level of pollution they can cause. Once water and land are contaminated, these chemicals easily find their way into our food chains. Thus computer recycling is necessary in order to avoid such a catastrophic scenario.

Apart from direct pollution, there is also the issue of sustainability. A lot of energy goes into the manufacture of these components, right from extracting the materials from the earth’s crust. All this work can be saved if we recycle e-waste. Thus by simple computer recycling, you can actually save tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere and reduce your carbon footprint. The materials that are present in old computers are quite similar to the ones used in modern day computers. In addition, the old computers usually have higher quantities of these, and thus a great source of usable materials. This is also beneficial for the companies since they can spend less on the components, thus improving their bottom lines.

Computer recycling is the only way in which the problem can be tackled. As newer and improved computers enter the market, the problem of e-waste is going to be really huge. People need to get rid of their computers and buy newer ones. However, do not forget to be environmentally responsible in the process. Only through a collective effort can the catastrophic effects of toxins on our health be averted.

Rodd H. Glover is an avid outdoors-man who cares about the future of our generations. Computer recycling should be mandatory on all PC’s as well as electronics recycling for everything with precious metals.