Which Components of a Computer Can Be Recycled?

Up to 98% of a computer can be recycled for reuse. While resale and donation promote sustainability by extending lifespan, recycling the base materials obviates the need to mine raw, unrenewable resources and emit harmful greenhouse gases into the air. Many tech firms include recycling facilities because, even though hardware may be retired, the components and materials that comprise them can still be repurposed for further use. Some recyclable materials pose severe threats to the environment due to their toxic and often carcinogenic nature, and reusing them not only endorses eco-friendly practices, but even mitigates the potential contamination of the atmosphere, topsoil, groundwater. Before looking into the parts of a computer that can be recycled, it is important to understand the parts of a computer that make it work.

What are the Basic Parts of a Computer?

While variations exist between developers, all computers can be simplified into five base parts.

1. Motherboard: The motherboard connects every base component of the computer. With the flow of energy and information through the computer likened to blood, the motherboard can be viewed as the heart.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU uses an assembly language made of binary code to communicate to all of the computer’s other components. It fetches, decodes, and executes code commands to manage all of the computer’s processes. If the motherboard can be viewed as the heart, the CPU is the brain.
3. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Connected directly to the display monitor, the GPU processes code to transmit images to the user. While standard GPUs can operate to most user’s needs, those that rely on high-quality imaging such as 3D modelers and gamers may seek out high-end GPUs.
4. Random Access Memory (RAM): Often called Volatile Memory, RAM temporarily stores data from programs and processes frequently-accessed by the user. It decreases the time it takes to start up and close programs, but because it only remembers programs often used, every computer restart clears RAM storage.
5. Storage Drive: Hard-Disk Drives (HDDs) prevailed from the inception of computers until only recently, when the Solid-State Drive (SSD) began to popularize. While HHDs utilize a spinning disk read by a mechanical arm, SSDs implement no moving parts and provide much quicker access to stored data. Additionally, SSDs are generally smaller than HDDs, and thus require less space within the computer frame.

In addition to these five key components, computers often feature a metallic or plastic case that protects and maintains the components, a power supply, and CD/DVD drives in which to read outside data.

Which Parts of a Computer Can Be Recycled?

Before disintegrating a computer into its base elements, any of these five components can be recovered and repurposed. While certain parts, such as the CPU, GPU, and RAM may not match the efficiency of their more advanced counterparts, the motherboard and storage drive can be reused in the construction of new computers. Before remarketing or donating an SSD or HDD, companies or individual users should undergo the process of Data Destruction to secure their information. Only the proper destruction of data by certified authorities can prevent information leaks and data compromise.

In addition to these, less central operatives can be salvaged from retired computers and reused. Cathode Ray Tubes, glass monitors, keyboards, metal/plastic casings, the power supply, circuit board, and CD/DVD rom can all potentially be recycled for further use. When none of these components possess the capacity for recycling, they are broken down into core elements and recycled in that respect instead.

From these units, any number of valuable elements can be recovered. Gold can be salvaged from circuit boards and CPUs, silver from computer chips and capacitors, and platinum from hard drives and circuit board components. All three of these metals maintain value beyond the tech sphere, fetching high prices even in the public market. Additionally, silicon, palladium, zinc, aluminum, cobalt, and nickel can be retrieved and reprocessed in the manufacture of new electronic devices.

Why is Recycling my Computer Important?

Beyond the loss of value in haphazardly disposing rare metals in retired hardware, computers possess a wide array of hazardous materials that can pose a serious threat to the environment. Toxins unique to e-waste present myriad detriments to the global ecosystem and even to general health by poisoning topsoil and groundwater, potentially infecting crops and drinking water. Environmental pollution aside, the non-biodegradable nature of e-waste indicates a long time spent occupying space in landfills and threatening to contaminate the surrounding landscape. Furthermore, recycling computers and their components lessens the need to mine resources from the earth, limiting physical damage to the planet as well as the consequent emission of greenhouse gases.

Which Parts of a Computer are Harmful?

The toxic components of a computer lay adjacent to the profitable earth metals, but are in no way less valuable. In addition to harmful earth elements, synthetic chemicals can have long-lasting and severely damaging effects on the environment.

Dioxins are chlorinated organic chemicals known to damage both the reproductive and immune systems, as well as possess carcinogenic effects. Their chemical stability and absorption by fatty tissue extend the time spent in the body, and as such pose long-term threats to human health. PCBs, a dioxin-like substance no longer manufactured in the United States, is a known carcinogen, increasing the rate of liver, breast, and even brain cancer.

Hazardous earth elements prevalent in computers include lead, mercury, and cadmium. Lead and mercury poisoning pose the greatest risk to brain development, whereas cadmium can damage lung tissue and result in both lung and bone disease. Cathode Ray Tubes contain the highest amount of lead within a computer, while circuit boards encompass a significant portion of lead-tin solders. Improper disposal of these parts can result not only in air, ground, and water pollution, but accidental inhalation over time can accumulate in advanced stages of lead poisoning. Motherboards, power supplies, graphic cards, memory RAM sticks, and hard drives may still contain traces of dioxins, and as such should never be disposed of without the aid of certified IT asset disposition companies.

How are Computers Recycled?

When computers are delivered to specialized e-recyclers, the process of disposition unfolds with meticulous care. On initial inspection, the condition and age of each computer part is established to determine its capacity for reuse. Companies that utilize chain of custody documentation will then record and catalogue this data. Then, the electronic devices undergo physical processing and Data Destruction. After verification that all targeted data has been securely erased, e-recyclers demanufacture the devices in order to harvest the useful components and dispose of everything that can no longer be used.

Through responsible e-recycling, tech firms can continue to protect the environment from potentially hazardous materials and harmful mining of new resources. The promotion of a circular economy within the tech industry eliminates harmful waste and advocates for continual sustainability. Through cautious recycling of retired computers, the growing rise of dangerous e-waste can be reduced and, eventually, stopped entirely.