Computer hardware: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:32, 6 March 2025

Revision as of 19:40, 8 March 2025

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===Environmental effects===

When e-waste byproducts leach into groundwater, are burned, or get mishandled during recycling, it causes harm. Health problems associated with such toxins include impaired mental development, cancer, and damage to the lungs, liver, and kidneys.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.electronicstakeback.com/2015/05/28/whats-going-on-with-electronic-waste/|title=What's Going On with Electronic Waste? – Electronics TakeBack Coalition|access-date=2017-04-26|url-status=liveusurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427103038/http://www.electronicstakeback.com/2015/05/28/whats-going-on-with-electronic-waste/|archive-date=27 April 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Computer components contain many toxic substances, like [[Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins|dioxins]], [[polychlorinated biphenyl]]s (PCBs), [[cadmium]], [[chromium]], [[radionuclide|radioactive isotopes]] and [[mercury (element)|mercury]]. Circuit boards contain considerable quantities of lead-tin solders that are more likely to leach into groundwater or create [[air pollution]] due to incineration.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://computer.howstuffworks.com/discarded-old-computer1.htm|title=What Happens to your Discarded Old Computer?|last=Toothman|first=Jessika|website=HowStuffWorks|date=2 June 2008}}</ref>

Recycling of computer hardware is considered environmentally friendly because it prevents [[hazardous waste]], including [[Toxic heavy metal|heavy metals]] and carcinogens, from entering the atmosphere, landfill or waterways. While electronics consist a small fraction of total waste generated, they are far more dangerous. There is stringent legislation designed to enforce and encourage the sustainable disposal of appliances, the most notable being the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive of the [[European Union]] and the United States National Computer Recycling Act.<ref>National Computer Recycling Act of 2005, H.R. 425, 109th Cong. (2005–2006)</ref>