Finding something interesting to say about the subject of IT recycling is quite tricky. When the WEEE Directive was being implemented there was a lot happening, new developments and a lot to talk about. But now it has all died down, the industry has streamlined, opportunist operators have been nudged out, and pretty much everyone in the industry knows the regulations and what they should be doing.

So LFL and CRS are taking a fresh approach to ‘Recycling News’. We will keep you updated in our newsletter of changes in legislation and progressive industry developments. We will also let you know about new initiatives and services we are introducing. But we will also try to inject a little light heartedness into the sector and drop in interesting information about recycling generally.

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Useful information

What is classed as WEEE?

Basically anything with an electric current going through it. Below are the 10 categories with some of the items in each group:

• Large household appliances: fridges, freezers, microwave ovens, washing machines
• Small household appliances: vacuum cleaners, toasters, coffee machines, electric toothbrushes
• IT and telecommunications equipment: PCs, laptops, monitors, keyboards, printers, cordless phones
• Consumer equipment: radios, TVs, DVD players, video recorders etc
• Lighting equipment: low-energy Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
• Electric tools: drills, saws, sewing machines.
• Toys, sport and leisure equipment: electric trains, game consoles, cycle computers.
• Medical devices:
• Monitoring and control devices: smoke alarms, thermostats
• Automated devices: i.e. all appliances that automatically deliver products, e.g., drinks, food, money.

Interesting Data

Every time a computer system is reused, resources are saved in both energy and in the re-use of the component parts of the equipment. Refurbishing and recycling computer equipment is an integral part of waste strategy. Some factors to consider in determining your recycling strategy:

1. On the one hand "As 75% of environmental damage occurs within PC production process ……..extending a PC's useful lifespan is one of the most effective options to reducing their environmental cost" (Computing August 2007)
2. On the other hand, a study done by European web hosting provider Amenworld showed that, on average, servers needlessly use 1000 kWh of energy, producing an excess of 632Kg of CO2 per server per year. UK web hosting provider Memset stated that "ripping and replacing" servers that are over three years old is essential.
3. As computers get less expensive, maintenance is not always a viable option as repairing costs do not reduce accordingly.
4. Recycling makes better use of our limited resources as the fewer virgin materials and the less energy we use to make new products , the less resources we need to extract and the less the environmental impact.
5. Recycling reduces the amount of waste going to landfill.

Business users and computer recyclers therefore have to consider whether to keep the equipment in use or to recycle. Recycling can be a viable option that can generate some income for the organisation through resale of reusable parts, and be an efficient and environmentally friendly method of disposal utilising components and materials salvage and saving on excessive use of energy and production of CO2.

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