EPC's Computer Recyling Blog » Computer Recycling

The Downside of Upgrading – Or why should I pay for computer recycling?

Brian Wahoff — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:20:55 +0000

In a recent blog post on Blue Planet Green Living entitled Computer Recycling – The Downside of Upgrading, Caryn Green discusses many of the hurdles we face as an electronics recycler. She does a good job of highlighting the major issues – overseas dumping, identity theft and data privacy, organized crime elements, and the environmental impact. However, even with all those potential issues, we still run into potential clients that say “I will not pay for electronic recycling!”

Many of our competitors offer “free” recycling services, but provide little to no proof that the equipment was handled in an environmentally safe manner. There have been numerous examples of companies that claim to recycle your gear, but simply pack it in containers where it will be dumped overseas. After investigating electronic waste and how to properly dispose of it, we have concluded that it cannot be done properly for free. Whether those fees are hidden in higher taxes for municipal electronic destruction services, higher equipment costs to cover fees charged directly to the manufacturers, fees offset by revenues generated by other services (like resale), or fees charged direct to individuals and businesses, responsible electronics recycling will not be free.

In her post, Caryn lists several websites, like e-stewards.org and electronicstakeback.com that research the business practices of electronics recyclers and list those that meet their standards. In addition, there is a wealth of information at these sites discussing the electronic recycling issues at length. EPC is a member of both organizations, and our policy is zero landfill / zero export of our recycled electronics. Even if you choose another company for your electronics recycling services, please take the time to choose one that makes responsible recycling a priority.

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The School District of Philadephia to investigate its computer recycling program

Brian Wahoff — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:00:39 +0000

The school district of Philadelphia is launching a probe into how one of their monitors was found in a landfile in Ghana. After the monitor was spotted in a PBS Frontline documentary and repeated inquiries were made by Technically Philly, the school district announced it would launch an investigation.

“The School District of Philadelphia does not encourage or condone the illegal dumping of any school district property anywhere in the world,” read the statement issued by the district. “As a result… [we are] currently investigating the source and disposal record of the equipment found in Ghana.”

The computer was one of many visible in the Frontline report and illustrates the ongoing problem of e-waste dumping into developing countries. Millions of tons of e-waste are dumped into the West African country, China, and others.

The school district has maintained a “green” policy regarding the disposal of electronic equipment since 2006, and is unsure if this is an isolated incident or just one example from the hundreds of pounds disposed by the district each year. The district had partnered with a recycling company that provided pickup and recycling services at no charge to the district.

This report illustrates the trouble many companies have in identifying responsible computer recyclers for their end-of-life hardware. You owe it to yourself to personally view a companies recycling processes, and ask about their export policies. While your at it, ask if they are a Basel Action Network e-steward. The BAN e-steward pledge is for a zero-landfill, zero-export approach to recycling.

Technically Philly: School District of Philadelphia launches probe into its computer recycling program

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Turning obsolete technology into art

Brian Wahoff — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:40:52 +0000

Now this is a pretty cool form of computer recycling: WebUrbanist has a new image gallery of 20 examples of art made from old technology. The examples presented utilize typewriters, old cassette tapes, phones, keys from keyboards, computer cases and more. See how many different pieces you can recognize!

My favorites are the Jimmy Hendrix portrait from a cassette tape, the giant robot (a.k.a. WEEE Man) and the model T-Rex.

20 Amazing Examples of Art from Obsolete Technology – WebUrbanist

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Recycle Your Computer AND Feed the Hungry!

Tracy Fuller — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:56:21 +0000

In celebration of Earth Day, EPC will be donating all public recycling fees to a local food bank. There is a $5 per item charge for EPC to recycle your old computers and electronics. But from April 18th – 26th, EPC will be donating those fees to a local food bank. Additionally, individuals can donate 5 canned good items and EPC will waive the $5 fee, and include those canned goods in the donation. Bring in those old electronic items you’ve been meaning to get rid of and take this opportunity to help the environment and the community.

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Computer Recycling: Old Notebook Gets New Life as Digital Frame

Brian Wahoff — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:24:54 +0000

Why settle for a digital photo frame that only shows pictures? That’s the question that Justin Griswold asked himself when looking at an old Sony Vaio laptop he had laying around. Justin decided to be creative instead and turn the Vaio into a wall mounted LCD screen. In addition to being able to view image slideshows, the computer could also view powerpoint presentations, tv shows (using software like boxee), game emulators, and more. This is an awesome form of computer recycling.

It looks like the only challenge would be controlling this frankenstein creation after mounting on the wall, having bluetooth in the laptop would be a definite plus. With tons of used laptops at my fingertips, I think I will try to create my own.

Found via: Lifehacker – DIY: Turn an Old Laptop Into a Wall Mounted Computer

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Welcome to EPC’s blog

Brian Wahoff — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:57:04 +0000

If you are reading this, you’ve found EPC‘s new computer recycling blog. This site will be home to posts about computer recycling, data security, and any thing else technology related that catches our fancy. If you are looking for company news and press releases from EPC check out our corporate blog. We’ll start by listing important links to learn about EPC:

If on Facebook – join us on our company page. On twitter, find Brian Wahoff (ackbarr) and Tracy Fuller (EPCfullerT)

* Shameless Plug – If you are a business looking for a computer recycler, drive wiping and destruction, or asset recovery services, contact EPC.

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