Computer hardware: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:40, 18 August 2025

Revision as of 08:42, 18 August 2025

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Because computer parts contain [[hazard]]ous materials, there is a growing movement to recycle old and outdated devices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-recycle-your-old-computer/|title=How to recycle your old computer|date=2016-12-18|work=Digital Trends|access-date=2017-04-18|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417055533/http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-recycle-your-old-computer/|archive-date=17 April 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Computer hardware contains hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, nickel, and cadmium. According to the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]], these e-wastes negatively affect the [[Natural environment|environment]] if not disposed of properly. Hardware manufacturing also requires significant energy, while [[recycling]] components helps reduce air and water [[pollution]] as well as greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newtechrecycling.com/disposal/computer-recycling/computer-recycling.html|title=Newtech Recycling Specializes in Computer Disposal, Laptop Disposal, Desktop Disposal Mainframe Disposal and Server Disposal|website=Newtech Recycling, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329142805/https://www.newtechrecycling.com/disposal/computer-recycling/computer-recycling.html|archive-date=29 March 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-04-18|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In many regions, improper disposal of computer equipment is illegal, and legislation requires recycling through [[government]]-approved facilities. Recycling can be facilitated by removing reusable parts such as [[Random-access memory|RAM]], DVD drives, [[Graphics hardware|graphics cards]], [[Hard disk drive|hard drives]], [[Solid-state drive|SSDs]], and other similar components.

Many materials used in computer hardware can be recovered bythrough recycling for use in future production. ReuseThe reuse of [[tin]], [[silicon]], [[iron]], [[aluminum]], and a variety ofvarious [[plastics]] thatcommonly are present in bulkfound in computers orand other electronics canhelps reduce the costs of constructingmanufacturing new systems. ComponentsHardware components also frequently contain [[copper]], [[gold]], [[tantalum]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.raci.org.au/document/item/488|title=TANTALUM|last=Robert-Tissot|first=Sarah|date=2011|website=Royal Australian Chemical instatuteInstitute|access-date=March 3, 2019|archive-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226021016/https://www.raci.org.au/document/item/488|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/niobium/mcs-2019-tanta.pdf|title=TANTALUM|last=Padilla|first=Abraham|date=February 2019|website=United statesStates geologicalGeological surveySurvey|access-date=March 3, 2019}}</ref> [[silver]], [[platinum]], [[palladium]], and [[lead]], as wellalong aswith other valuable materials suitable for reclamation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs060-01/fs060-01.pdf|title=Obsolete Computers, "Gold Mine," or High-Tech Trash? Resource Recovery from Recycling|last=Bleiwas|first=D|date=July 2001|website=USGS|access-date=March 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebalancesmb.com/electronic-devices-source-of-metals-for-recyclers-2877986|title=Electronic Devices a Rich Source of Precious Metals for Recyclers|last=LeBlanc|first=Rick|website=The Balance Small Business|language=en|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref>

===Toxic computer components===