Servers and Computers Recycling in London & across the UK

Computer and Server Recycling is the process of converting waste materials of computes & Servers hardware and components into reusable objects to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, energy usage, air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by decreasing the need for “conventional” waste disposal and lowering greenhouse gas emissions compared to plastic production. Servers and Computer Recycling in London and UK is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” waste hierarchy. ISO standards related to Servers & Computers recycling such as ISO 15270:2008 for plastics waste and ISO 14001:2004 for environmental management control of recycling practice defines guidelines how the recycling shall be done in a professional way.

Computer recycling also is known as e-waste recycling or electronic recycling is the process of dismantling of parts and components of any discarded electronic device. It doesn’t apply that all parts that are separated during the process are 100% reused to reproduce similar or different kind of equipment. Consumer electronics such as computers and laptops play an important role in our daily life. Advancement in the technology has resulted in massive growth in the computer manufacturing industry in the last few decades. Consumer electronic devices usually have a short span of life. Advancement in the features and capacities in the upcoming releases overthrow a large number of devices because people tend to upgrade their computers and other electronic devices. It is immensely important that suitable standard process is followed with regards to computer recycling that they are compliance with the environmental protection act and are as much as possible eco-friendly. In London alone, a large number of funds and time are spent every year to improve and control the recycling standards to maintain a healthier environment.

Understand Your Computer & Server Hard Drive

Computers often hold personal and financial information, including:

• passwords
• account numbers
• license keys or registration numbers for software programs
• addresses and phone numbers
• medical and prescription information
• tax returns
• files created automatically by browsers and operating systems

When you save a file, especially a large one, it is scattered around the hard drive in bits and pieces. When you open a file, the hard drive gathers the bits and pieces and reconstructs them.

When you delete a file, the links to reconstruct the file disappear. But the bits and pieces of the deleted file stay on your computer until they’re overwritten, and they can be retrieved with a data recovery program. To remove data from a hard drive permanently, the hard drive needs to be wiped clean.

How to Clean a Hard Drive

Before you clean a hard drive, save the files you want to keep to:

• a USB drive
• a CDRom
• an external hard drive
• a new computer

Check your owner’s manual, the manufacturer’s website, or its customer support service for information on how to save data and transfer it to a new computer.

Utility programs to wipe a hard drive are available both online and in stores where computers are sold. These programs generally are inexpensive; some are available on the internet for free. These programs vary:

• Some erase the entire disk, while others allow you to select files or folders to erase.
• Some overwrite or wipe the hard drive many times, while others overwrite it only once.

Consider using a program that overwrites or wipes the hard drive many times; otherwise, the deleted information could be retrieved. Or remove the hard drive, and physically destroy it.

If you use your home or personal computer for business purposes, check with your employer about how to manage the information on your computer that’s business-related. The law requires businesses to follow data security and disposal requirements for certain information that’s related to customers.

How to Dispose of Your Computer & Server

Recycle it.

Many computer manufacturers have programs to recycle computers and components. Check their websites or call their toll-free numbers for more information. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has information about electronic product recycling programs. Your local community may have a recycling program, too. Check with your county or local government, including the local landfill office for regulations.

Donate it.

Many organizations collect old computers and donate them to charities.

Resell it.

Some people and organizations buy old computers. Check online.

Remember, most computer equipment contains hazardous materials that don’t belong in a landfill. For example, many computers have heavy metals that can contaminate the earth. The EPA recommends that you check with your local health and sanitation agencies for ways to dispose of electronics safely.

Benefits of Recycling

• Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators
• Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals
• Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials
• Saves energy
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change
• Helps sustain the environment for future generations
• Helps create new well-paying jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States

The danger of Computer Disposal

Over the years computer recycling or disposal has made its pace and is considered a controlled method and approach towards protecting the environment. Even though there are written standards and procedures in place yet many parts in the world seems to be ignoring to follow these defined recycling standards when retrieving valuable materials and parts from wasted computer devices. One example of non-standard computer recycling is burning its part in the open atmosphere to retrieve gold and other valuable metals. Burning computer parts in the open air adds up Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO2), and other toxic materials, gases, and particles to our environment which contaminate our fresh air, water, food etc. Contaminations in our environment not only impact and cause global warming but also cause dangerous diseases.

UKDCC – Computer Devices Recycled

Every year a large number of following listed devices are discarded and sent to recycling centres.

• Tower Server
• Rack Server
• Laptop Computer
• TFT Monitor
• CRT Monitor
• Laser Printer Inkjet Printer
• Dot Matrix Printer
• Thermal Barcode Printer
• Barcode Printer
• Computer Keyboards and Mice
• Tower Computer
• Desktop Computer
• Telecoms Kit
• Tape Storage
• Scrap Computer Motherboards
• Scrap Computer Memory and Internal Cards
• Computer Cables
• UPS Battery Backup Devices
• Network Switches, Hubs & Routers
• Toners and ink cartridges

Duty of Care

All businesses have a Duty of Care to the environment and to human health.You are responsible for your waste from when you produce it until you have transferred it to an authorised person.

All businesses produce waste and your company has a legal responsibility to ensure that you produce, store, transport and dispose of your business waste without harming the environment. This is called your Duty of Care (DoC) and makes up part of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 34) and the Environmental Protection Act (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991.

As part of this DoC you must ensure that you store your waste securely so that it does not escape (tie up bags, flatten boxes, close bin lids). You must also ensure your waste is transported by an authorised business, and a Waste Transfer Note (WTN) is completed for every transfer of waste OR for a specified period. The WTN must be kept on record for at least two years.

Computer Waste and disposal Prevention

Computer recycling can be prevented or limited if right steps are followed. In London, alone hundreds of thousands of computer and electronic devices are decommissioned and sent to recycling centres every year. A little more attention can help to retain these devices in service for longer which not only limits the need for recycling but also put a limit on the electronic devices manufacturing on large scale. Manufacturing new electronic devices themselves is a dangerous process for a healthy environment. Manufacturing new computers and electronic devices leave a huge carbon footprint. Regularly cleaning and maintaining our existing electronic equipment can enhance their performance and can improve their lifespan. The cleaner we keep our devices, the longer is their lifespan. A regularly kept Clean Computer can function well for the extended period of time and can perform faster and efficient. Cleaning our computers not only enhance their lifespan but also prevent computer waste and need for recycling.

Education and awareness

Many private and government organisations are working to grow or increase awareness on the topic such as computer waste, recycling, and their impact on the environment. Prevention i.e. cleaning and maintenance of electronic device should be a focal point of any lecture or document. An easy step like cleaning can be practised on the individual level easily.

Electrical Appliances Disposed of in London

Small electrical appliances can be disposed in banks at these locations. Do not place any other items such as clothes in the banks.

What you can put in the recycling banks

You can use our recycling banks for:

• phones and chargers
• remote controls
• VCRs
• digiboxes
• electronic toys
• kettles
• hairdryers
• electric toothbrushes
• shavers
• hair straighteners
• irons
• small DIY tools
• clocks
• radios
• cables
• keyboards, mice, speakers etc

What you can’t put in the recycling banks

You can’t use the recycling bins for:

• TV monitors
• computers*
• light bulbs
• batteries
• anything that will not fit in the chute (over 40 cm or 16″ in size)

* Although computers can be recycled in these bins, there have been cases of theft from the bins.

Relate Links

Computer Cleaning

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