When it's time for upgrading systems, what's the best thing to do with your company's old PC?

Recycling programs are gaining more attention as the growing problem of "e-waste," or what to do with discarded electronics equipment like cell phones, television, and most important, personal computers.

Thanks to a fast-turning technology, consumers and business users alike have shortened the lifespan of computers from five years in 1997 to about two years today. In fact, according to grass roots organization Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, 6,000 computers in California alone become obsolete every day.

Since many people choose to upgrade their system every two years, PCs have a higher turnover rate than other electronics equipment, such as stereos or televisions. To further complicate the problem, software-licensing restrictions can make it difficult to donate old PCs.

The SVTC estimates that on average, a U.S. computer user has two or three computers tucked away in garages or storage spaces. Data providing insight on what businesses do with used computers is sparse. But computer manufacturers are beginning to partner with e-waste experts to create recycling programs for customers.

It's illegal to dispose of PCs in landfills, thanks to materials like cathode ray tubes, lead and PVC plastics, among other things. According to the SVTC, recycling PCs provides the "safest, most cost-effective strategy for addressing the problems posed by inoperative or outdated computers." The organization condones the practice, because by removing and/or reducing and treating the hazardous components conserves resources, reduces environmental and public health threats, and protects worker safety, while reducing the escalating cost of storing or disposing of hazardous wastes.

Because electronic waste contains valuable materials and components, recycling can be a viable solution to the growing problem. That's why companies are taking interest.

"Recycling PCs is a lot easier than people think," says Kimmie O'Farrell, a project manager at MPC. O'Farrell helps administrate the company's recycling program, a joint venture with Resource Concepts, Inc., specializing in refurbishing, reconditioning, recycling and marketing of used or obsolete electronics equipment.

O'Farrell says RCI has a patented and proprietary end-of-life processing for PC systems. The company's ultimate goal is to "send nothing to the landfill." RCI works with the U.S. Department of Energy and leading universities to develop new uses for discarded e-waste.

RCI provides these general guidelines for recycling PCs:

• Desktops less than 30 months old have some value, if in good condition.
• Desktop equipment 30-36 months old will likely have only enough value to cover the removal and disposal of it.
• Desktop equipment more than three years old will most likely require charging some removal or disposal fee.

So if it's going to cost money to recycle old PCs, why would companies pursue it? Responsibility, for one reason. Another reason: it's federal law. According to RCI, government restrictions on hazardous waste disposal are leading to stricter guidelines and subsequent stiffer fines. "Just one ill-placed monitor could shackle a company with a multi-million dollar clean-up responsibility," the Web site reads.

The SVTC site has similar warnings. "The combination of e-waste volume and toxicity brings with it the prospect of enormous solid and hazardous waste cleanup and management costs. …the cost of properly managing the current output and legacy stockpile of CRTs alone could range from $500 million to over $1 billion over the next five years."

PC manufacturers offering take-back programs are a solid start. O'Farrell says that MPC partners with RCI to offer business and government customers PC take-backs as part of the company's custom services, and has plans to expand that program in the near future.

"You can't just dispose of PCs," O'Farrell says. "It's important for manufacturers-and users-to find responsible solutions for PCs that have outlived their usefulness."

Links you can use

Recycling made easy

Waste away

Computer glitch
A white paper from the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition provides some background on the hazards of computer and electronic waste.

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