Re: Reuse or Recycle Your Old Computer

Hi David,

> The City of Sydney has set up much needed Battery, mobile phone and Fluoro light bulb Recycling Collection Stations at Neighbourhood Centres and Libraries...more
..
> NSW government $485m waste initiative
> The NSW Environmental Trust and the NSW EPA are calling for applications to the Improved Systems for Household Problem Wastes - community Recycling Centres. Applications open 7 November 2013 and close on Monday, 3 February 2014... more
http://ramin.com.au/blog/?itemid=296

Marghanita
David wrote:
> A slightly different slant on the same topic.
> 
> A little while ago I tried to recycle a bunch of broken IT gear without 
> much luck... despite a fair bit of effort the "system" was pushing me 
> into sending it to landfill.
> 
> Eventually I took it all to Sims Metal at Alexandria who not only took 
> it off my hands for recycling but also apologised because there wasn't 
> enough to make it worth their while to pay *me*. Apparently if I had 
> taken a tonne or more I would have got some money (don't quote me on 
> that though).
> 
> Meantime every other place I tried wanted a large amount of money to 
> take it off my hands. One guy wanted to charge me $120 to take one 
> commercial photocopier. Sydney City Council do occasional e-waste 
> recycling days, but not often enough.
> 
> It's a pity recycling  e-waste isn't made easier for punters. It's not a 
> good landfill candidate.
> 
> David
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 03/02/14 14:29, James Linder wrote:
>> On 3 Feb 2014, at 10:48 am, Jason Ball <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>> Your old computer uses much more energy than a new one. Powering the 
>>>> beast creates much more CO2 than the new ones and save the 
>>>> environment (sic) causes much more harm than
>>>> binning it (hopefully decently)
>>> Prove it.  Please include the carbon cost of the new machine, 
>>> shipping etc, while you are at it.
>>>
>>> Cheers.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Feb 3, 2014 at 1:07 PM, James Linder <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Computers and mobile devices become obsolete much quicker than other 
>>>> consumer products, such as refrigerators and cars. Electronic 
>>>> equipment can contain toxic and valuable materials which should not 
>>>> be simply put into landfill. Before you buy a new computer, tablet 
>>>> or phone, look at the options of what to do with the old one. Tom 
>>>> Worthington is author of the free ebook "ICT Sustainability: 
>>>> Assessment and Strategies for a Low Carbon Future": 
>>>> http://www.tomw.net.au/ict_sustainability/introduction.shtml
>>> Tom just for fun (well not really, but for a consider this)
>>>
>>> Your old computer uses much more energy than a new one. Powering the 
>>> beast creates much more CO2 than the new ones and save the 
>>> environment (sic) causes much more harm than binning it (hopefully 
>>> decently)
>> Jason and Margharita
>>
>> I�m not standing on my soapbox, just encouraging our younger members 
>> to think through the implications of their actions, rather than being 
>> swayed by the warm and fuzzy hype.
>> I think that slug collects the best and finest and that issues like 
>> this are oh so important, specially before one gets old and cynical.
>> The kudos flow from doing something, rather than being seen to do 
>> something.
>> So while this drifts OT it is really really important and the opinions 
>> of Jason, Margharita et al are really really important too.
>> James
> 


-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
Ramin Communications Pty Ltd
http://ramin.com.au/
Phone:(+61)0414-869202


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