Recycling Your Old Computer
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
 
        A recent Newsweek article headline (November 2, 2008) implored consumers:  "Don't Toss Out That Old Gadget."  As the article stated, "old electronics can't be tossed out with watermelon rinds because they contain toxic elements, and most of them needn't be tossed anyway because they aren't waste."  For Virginians the decision on what to do about their old computers has gotten easier.  As a result of the Computer Recovery and Recycling Act I introduced in the last session and signed into law by the Governor, computer manufacturers are required to provide a recycling program for their used products.  Already Dell Computers has developed a partnership with Goodwill Industries whereby consumers can drop off their old computers at any Goodwill Donation Center for free.  Centers nearest our region are at 10 South Glebe Road (SW corner of Glebe/Rt. 50 intersection), Arlington; 8014 Sudley Road (former Luskins store across from Giant supermarket), Manassas; and 22405 Enterprise Street, Sterling.  For drop-off hours and locations of other centers go to www.reconnectpartnership.com.  Goodwill technicians will decide if the computer with a scrubbed-up hard drive has additional life and can be sold.  If its useful life is over it is disassembled and its component parts are recycled.  All proceeds of value recovered from the recycled computer equipment go to Goodwill to support job training and employment services programs.
 
        Another way to recycle your computer is to drop it off on scheduled days at PC Recycler at 4005 Westfax Drive, Suite A, Chantilly.  They have a machine that destroys hard drives.  Go to www.pcrecycler.net for more information and a schedule of drop-off days.
 
        Involving manufacturers in the recycling of products is a fairly new concept in this country but has been a requirement in European countries for decades.  Decisions made in the manufacturing process can help or hinder the process of recovering renewable resources at the end of the product's life.  The concept of product stewardship has found its way into legislation in other states as well as Virginia.  Visit www.productstewardship.us for more information on this important trend in recycling.  In addition to electronics, the product stewardship approach is being looked at for products as diverse as compact fluorescent bulbs, medical sharps, pharmaceuticals, paint, and mercury thermostats.
 
        As landfill space is at an ever increasing premium and concerns about hazardous materials in products increase, the product stewardship approach whereby manufacturers assume some of the responsibility for the end of life of products becomes more important.  Virginia's recycling of computers is the beginning of a direction the Commonwealth needs to follow.  Announcements of additional recycling opportunities can be found in my weekly Virginia E-News.  To subscribe go to www.kenplum.com.