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