March/April 2003 Living Now
Www.Computers-Recycling.Com!

by Jenny Swanepoel

"150 MILLION PC’s in landfills by 2005!" That’s what a widely-cited study predicted in 1991! And the good news is that the updated version of that report suggests now that only 50 million PC’s will end up in our landfills by 2005. (Carnegie Mellon University. www.gsia.cmu.edu/andrew/hsm).

Of course, what to do with even 50 million unwanted computers is still a huge problem – visualize an area roughly the size of Portland’s Pioneer Square piled high to above the snow level of Mount Hood with redundant computer equipment! And the real problem is not what an incredible eyesore that would be, but the simple fact that all these computers would actually be buried in our landfills, with their poisonous lead, mercury and other unpleasant components ultimately contaminating our drinking water.

But, 150 million to 50 million represents progress, doesn’t it? Too little, too late you might say, as with so many of society’s other problems…Yes, that’s true, but take a look at this. In this example the progress made has very little to do with new legislation or any of society’s usual problem-solving processes. Many individuals and small businesses have made the difference. Individuals simply seeing what needed to be done, working out a way that they could profit from doing it, and courageously doing it! It’s the many new small recycling businesses all over America that have changed those dire predictions. Not as a mass program – there was no program – but as individuals quietly innovating and experimenting, finding ways that worked and making their small difference in their particular communities. Not all of them were saints, by any account! Some computer recyclers actually compound the problem with their unethical dumping methods, but generally speaking, the people who cared enough to get involved with this e-waste recycling tried to do it right! And the figures prove that they had an impact.

However, it would be very simplistic to ignore the importance of legislation. Repeat, repeat: enlightened law making is most definitely needed, too, but everything starts with individuals following through with their insights and suggestions.

So what changed things in the recycling world? The biggest problem facing the smaller e-waste recyclers in the "90’s was the actual disposal of unwanted equipment. The price of new computer systems had steadily declined decreasing the value of older systems, limiting the possibility of refurbishment and resale. The cost of reclaiming the metals and components far outweighed its returns. No business can survive solely as a social service, no matter how altruistic its owners might be!

I suspect that the development of the Internet had something to do with offering new options. Who could have predicted the surge of Internet opportunities in 1991? Now it is possible to surf the world in search of customers and markets. And having a www.com address and website attracts visitors with just the interests and needs that sync with one’s particular offerings. In former years, most small businesses with limited capital had no means of accessing far-flung or very specific markets. Now, by email, a small business can correspond instantly with an interested buyer anywhere (almost) in the world, virtually cost free. And what about EBay? An online auction market place with 3 million potential buyers every day! It is now possible to auction anything that interests anyone anywhere, and to ship goods across international borders with the new cost effective (thanks to computers!) mail/package delivery services.

Now, that changes things! Personally speaking, without EBay and the Internet, we (just one of those very small businesses that have contributed to the difference) could not – and did not – survive. We know that from our own experience. We tried and had to close our doors for a few years, because we could not find an economically viable, and an ecologically sound outlet for all the computers/printers/ that so many businesses were passing on to us. We needed some reliable flow of money coming in to maintain our services (and ourselves!) We realized that what we had was valuable to someone, but at that time we had no way of linking with that "someone!" Now EBay has provided that miraculous connection. We can ship a Mac 1MB to a guru in Ireland who collects them, or an ancient printer that doesn’t work to a person who needs the parts in Florida, and they are only too happy to pay for what is of value to them!

The very technology that created the problem also has within it the potential to solve the problem that it evolved in the first place! Well, the technology and creative well-intentioned humans. With the right mindset, it is amazing what problems we can solve, as individuals and small businesses one problem at a time!

For more information about recycling your old computer equipment and the local companies that can help you: metro-region.org/ , freegeek.org/recycle.php, computers-recycling.com

Jenny Swanepoel and her husband Bert run the Simply Marvelous Computer Recycling Service in Portland. They can be reached at 503-626-4788 e-mail: bertswanepoel@attbi.com or visit www.computers-recycling.com.