Thursday, October 20, 2011

Can Computer Scrap be Reused

Computer scraps are electronic wastes or e-scraps. Electronic wastes are really hazardous and may result in major health issues if not disposed properly. So today there is a need to dispose it well. However, if it is recycled or reused, it would be best. Disposing electronic waste without concerning the environmental factors may become a threat to the nature. As nowadays, advanced technologies are used in electronic gadgets like computers, unsafe exposure of it in the atmosphere may lead to serious health problems.

Can Computer Scrap be Reused: If computer wastes are treated properly, it can prove to be beneficial. Due to rapid technological advancements, use of computers has increased to a great extent and as a result the question that, can computer scrap be reused has also become an important issue. United States Environmental Protection Agency found out that about 63 million computers were discarded in 2007.

A computer can be easily reused if its parts are used separately. Maybe a computer doesn’t work or cannot be repaired, but still some of its parts after scrapping can be easily used in other computers. It can also be used in assembling a new computer. Computer parts like CD drive, CRT tube, keyboard, mouse and many other hardware can easily be used without scrapping it to a greater level.

Try to donate your computer to a nonprofit organization or refurbisher. Refurbishers check that the computer is working fine and use legal software. They transfer it to other organizations. Some scrap wastes like CRT tubes are banned from disposing. So this should be properly recycled or sent to refurbishers. CRT tubes contain lead and are therefore banned from free disposal as it falls under hazardous material.

In organizations like schools, the use of computers is limited. They don’t use it to a great level. Primary use of a computer in a school may be like internet browsing, word processing, etc. Computers which are old may not perform all the functions well, but some primary functions like the one discussed above can be easily done with it. Moreover, if a computer has an outdated processor, it may not be suitable for a particular task and needs to be replaced. On the other hand, some basic tasks can be performed even without the latest processor. So these computers can be refurbished checked and supplied to nonprofit organizations.

Computers should be reused within 2 or 3 years after they are not in use, otherwise they wouldn’t work properly. So you should donate your computer or reuse it within few months. It would also be unnecessary to keep your old computer in your room if you don’t need it. The sooner the machine is brought back to cycle, better it would perform. Before sending your computer to the other person or organization, take care that all your personal data and information are deleted and you don’t send any important data with your computer. It would be better if you copy those data to a USB drive, so that you even delete it from the computer and also have it with you for your use. It’s better if you format its local disks which do not contain the operating system. All other files other than the applications should be deleted. However, if you erase the hard drive, you should supply the CD-ROM with the computer.

Hope the above tips answer your question that can computer scrap be reused. However, there are some factors which need to be considered before you donate your computer for reuse. Removing all personal documents from the computer is an important aspect.

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