Where does your old computer go when you recycle it?

Question

Where does your old computer go when you recycle it?

Answer 1

parts of it go to newer computers

Answer 2

Here are a few options:

http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/rec...

Answer 3

In large operations, the computers, or alot of other consumer electronics past there usefulness are full of high end metals like gold and platinum in small quantities, alot of connections in computers are gold plated.  The circuit boards are ground up and the metals and other substances are separated in various ways, by heat or chemically or mechanically.  Its actually more cost effective in most cases to reclaim the substances and reuse them than to mine them in the first place and takes far less energy.  There are also companies who turn the bare circuit boards after they have been stripped into other items, even artwork.  Honestly, anything is better than filling up more landfills with stuff that could be used in better ways.  I believe that old landfills will be the "goldmines" of the future for all kinds of items that are going to become scarce or ecologically unsound to continue mining for.

Answer 4

I saw a documentary about two small cities in China where all the people are involved in stripping out useable metals...lots of smoke, dirty water, and kids playing among the trash. Apparently the US and Europe send their old computers/ewaste there. It was scary, I guess as long as we don't see it its OK for other people to endure the toxic waste.

Answer 5

they come to me.....so i can rebuild and refurbish ...and make some lucky person a proud computer owner