Computer Waste is Rising Fast
Many economists credit computers and an increase in technology
to the 1990-2000 decade of high economic growth for the United States.
In 2001, U.S. households purchased more computers than any other
nation with over 50% of households owning at least one computer.
Yet, nations around the world, especially the U.S will be faced
with substantial computer waste problems in the years to come as
computer waste continues to rise. Computer waste is formidable problem
and liability at the national, state and school levels.
National
In the coming years, the number of PCs that are obsolete will
increase considerably. It is estimated that by 2004, there will
be 315 million obsolete PCs in the United States. By 2007, it is
estimated that there will be 500 million obsolete PCs (US) . In
fact, some estimates argue that the lifespan of computers which
was 4-6 years in 1997 will drop to as low as 2 years in 2005. Further
enshrouding current computer waste problems is that about 75% of
obsolete computers purchased by U.S. households are stored in their
homes--attics, basements,etc and are not disposed. This presents
a large waste liablility in the coming years but at the same time
an opportunity to convice individuals to properly dispose of their
computer.
However, current recycling efforts of computers are progressing
at a slow rate. In 1999, only 14 % of computers were recycled. This
lies in stark contrast to appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators,
and dishwashers for which about 70% were recycled in 1998 [1].
Massachussetts Computer Waste
Like the rest of the nation, Massachusetts suffers from a considerable
amount of computer waste. In the year 2000, it was estimated that
there were 75,000 tons of computer waste. By 2005, estimates predict
that there will be about 300,000 tons of waste from computers.
MIT
MIT has a number of obsolete computers around campus.
A disproportionaly large number of computers can be found in building
36 and 38 (6th floor) and in the basement hallways of buildings.
Next Section: Semiconductor Manufacturing
Sources
:[1] http://www.informinc.org/cwp2fscomputer.htm
http://www1.cnn.com/2000/fyi/news/12/11/computer.recycling
Ontario Recycling Center
|