Computers, Electronics and other Technology products
Right now in the UK, we’re throwing away nearly a million tons of old computers, electrical and electronic waste every year! Technology is fast becoming the biggest single problem in terms of rubbish creation. And it’s time we really did something about it! Although manufacturers, network service providers and retailers will soon have a legal obligation to recycle products under WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) legislation, we all need to do our bit to ensure that the mounting pile of waste products is kept to a minimum.

Computers • Mobile phones
• Printer cartridges and lasers • other electronic products

COMPUTERS
Up to two million working Pentium PCs are dumped in UK landfill sites every year. Containing hazardous materials, as well as small amounts of precious metals, it is highly undesirable for these to find their way to landfill sites, where they will slowly degrade, pollute water and affect wildlife. It’s also a ridiculous waste. While their second-hand value is often minimal, educational establishments, charities, voluntary and other organisations sometimes are able to make good use of many types of discarded but working equipment.

But remember, some organisations won’t accept electrical goods that have not been certified by a qualified electrical engineer as safe. Talk to the charities and voluntary organisations in your area, and see who could benefit from unwanted computers. There are also many companies and organisations that will collect working, unwanted computer equipment, often free of charge, and sell it on or give it to charities, schools and community groups. Most of these recyclers assume liability for donated equipment and guarantee to remove all data and identifying marks and carry out electrical safety tests.
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Computer recycling companies
Electronic Manufacturers Equipment Recycling Group (EMERG) A grouping of 20 multinational manufacturers of electrical and electronic products, promoting the economic potential of 'end of life assets'. c/o Mann Organisation, Ashburton Industrial Estate, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7BW Tel 01989 768899 Fax 01989 768215

UK IT Recycling Ltd A not-for-profit organisation providing low cost computer equipment to low income families and individuals. 18 Field Close, Harlescott, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 4NA Tel: 01743 464721 www.ukitrecycling.com

Computer Junk Shop Purchaser of redundant computer and electronic equipment for dismantling into component parts or resale. Tel 0151 420 6671 Fax 0151 495 1132 10 Waterloo Road, WIDNES, Cheshire WA8 0PY

Computer Salvage Specialists Nationwide collection and recycling of all types of electronic waste from computer and electronics industry. Tel 01635 552666 Fax 01635 582990 www.computersalvagespecialists.com

Drakus Marketing Ltd Large scale purchaser of salvageable electronics and computer scrap. Freephone 07000 372587

Surplex UK Limited - IT and Audio-Visual recycling in accordance with the WEEE Directive. Secure certified data destruction. Fully licensed and insured. Address: Unit 12, Link Business Centre, Howsell Road, Malvern Link, Worcestershire, WR14 1TF.   Telephone: 01684 568789; www.surplex.co.uk email enquiries: info@surplex.co.uk
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MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones are typically used for only 18 months before being replaced. In the UK alone, an estimated 15 million handsets are discarded every year, over 100 million hoarded and fewer than 10% recycled. Arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, lead, nickel, palladium, silver,
tantalum, zinc and mercury are contained in components that make up a mobile phone in one way or other. The cadmium from one mobile phone battery is enough to pollute 600,000 litres of water, which would fill 1/3 of an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Charites which want mobile phones:
Greener Solutions refurbishes redundant mobile phones for use in developing countries including Asia and Africa. www.xstronix.com

The Mobile Phone Recycling Company - Charities helped so far include NSPCC, National Kidney Research, St John Ambulance, CHAS, Breakthrough Breast Cancer www.mobilephonerecycling.co.uk

Oxfam turns unwanted mobile phones and their accessories into money to support work with people all over the world. On average, each working donated handset is worth £5 to Oxfam. www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/recycle/phones.htm

Scope the disability organisation in England and Wales whose focus is people with cerebral palsy. You can donate your mobile phones and printer cartridges for recycling and at the same time you'll raise valuable funds for Scope. www.scope.org.uk/recycling/index.shtml

Child Advocacy International This UK scheme will not only help the environment, but also children in hospital, worldwide. If you have one or two phones, simply post them to FREEPOST CRUMP. www.childadvocacyinternational.co.uk/fundraising/recycle.htm
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PRINTER CARTRIDGES AND LASERS
It is estimated that of the 65 million ink-jet cartridges in circulation, only 10% are recycled. That’s an awful lot of cartridges that end up being dumped. Yet many can easily be refurbished and reused.

Cartridges for Charity recycles printer cartridges and mobile phones to raise funds for three charity partners. www.cartridges4charity.co.uk

LaserXchange Computer printer cartridge remanufacturer providing laser toner and inkjet cartridges to OEMs, distributors and dealers in UK and Europe. Surebasic Limited, Units 2-3 Castle Meadows Park, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 7RZ. Tel 01873 852663/859901 Customer Services Helpline 0345 023648 Fax 01873 859128 Help support Oxfam, log on to: www.laserxchange.co.uk/Chargox.htm
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OTHER ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
All electronic products contain a potentially dangerous cocktail of materials if simply dumped. Old televisions, stereos and videos should be reused if at all possible, by handing them on to people who are able to make use of them. Remember, some organisations won’t accept
electrical goods that have not been certified as safe. Alternatively, take them to your nearest Household Waste Site where they will be disposed of safely, or contact specialist companies such as these below:

Mann Organisation Large-scale recycling of end of life electronic equipment. Reclaims metals, plastics and other recoverable materials for sale and reuse. Ashburton Industrial Estate, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7BW Tel 01989 768899 Fax 01989 768215

PSW (Metals) Ltd Electronic scrap recycling and precious metal trading. Dealer in complex metal scraps. The Industrial Estate, Grange Court, Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire GL14 1PL. Tel 01452 760999 Fax 01452 760111 www.pswengland.co.uk

Simpson W J & Son (Metals) Ltd Power cable stripping and photoreceptor drum recycling. Unit 2A, Honeybourne Airfield, Weston Road, Honeybourne, Evesham, Worcs WR11 5QF Tel 01386 833447 Fax 01386 833449

Sims Bird Ltd Metal recycling. Purchaser of bulk quantities of recyclable domestic appliances and electronic goods, and selective commercial equipment. Long Marston, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwicks CV37 8AQ Tel 01789 720431 Fax 01789 720940
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