New Uses for Old Computers
By Wehner, Jan
In 2000, Environment Canada published the Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication (Telecom) Waste in Canada report. The report estimated that by 2005, approximately 67,324 tonnes of IT equipment waste (including personal computers – PCs, monitors, laptops and peripherals, but excluding mainframes and other large equipment) would be disposed of in 2005, 47,791 tonnes would be reused, 1 1,948 tonnes would be stored and 43,428 tonnes would be recycled. Of the total IT waste that would be disposed of, PCs and servers would account for an estimated 23,349 tonnes, monitors would account for an estimated 24,472 tonnes, peripherals (scanners, printers, etc) would account for about 17,396 tonnes and laptops would account for about 2,107 tonnes.
This is a significant concern because many of the materials contained in IT equipment are potentially hazardous if improperly managed. For example, printed circuit boards contain heavy metals such as antimony, silver, chromium, zinc, lead, tin and copper. The lead oxide used in the cathode ray tubes (CRT) of computer monitors is of particular concern because it is in a soluble form. If there were no significant changes in the composition of PCs and monitors by 2005, it was estimated that 3,012 tonnes of lead, 4.5 tonnes of cadmium and 1.1 tonnes of mercury were going to be disposed of in 2005.
Faced with a complete changeover of PCs in order that our new printers can communicate with them, Manitoba Business Magazine set out to discover why so much of this equipment is cast off each year, and what can be done with it in Manitoba to minimize the hazards.
Chris Martin, a Certified Computer Technician at Computer Trends, said that the main reason that IT equipment becomes ‘obsolete’ is that, as technology is improved and becomes faster and/or smaller, new kinds of connections are created to support the higher speed. For example, the old ‘fat cables’ have given way to USB connectors. Over the last while, video and sound cards and hard drives have changed, and CD/DVD ROM drives will change soon. Mother Boards are made with ‘pins’ and ‘slots’ and can only take certain kinds of plug- ins. Some peripherals – such as keyboards and mice – have adaptors, but most don’t.
There is generally a transition phase during which computers are built to accept both old and new connectors – for instance, there may be parallel and serial connectors for printers – but then the old-style connectors are phased out. Dell computers only have USB ports for printer connections now. It is generally accepted that, with the speed of change, within six months of buying your new computer, there will be something twice as fast on the market.
End-of-life dilemma
Once you have determined that your computer, printer, monitor or other IT equipment no longer serves your needs, you must find a safe way to deal with it. Throwing it into the garbage is not an option!
Many of the manufacturers of IT equipment offer take-back or buy- back options for either their own or any manufacturer’s computers, monitors, laptops and some other products .
In March 2003, 16 leading electronics manufacturers in the Canadian electronics industry, along with industry representatives from the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) and Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), established a not-for-profit organization known as Electronic Product Stewardship Canada (EPS Canada). Jay Illingworth, Vice President of EPSC, says that they are working with Canadian governments and other stakeholders to lead the design and implementation of a national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for e-waste.
Alberta was the first province to manage its e-waste through a governmentrun program beginning in October 2004. Saskatchewan rolled out the Saskatchewan Waste Electronic Equipment Program (SWEEP) on February 1, 2007. British Columbia will have a program in place by June 2007. Nova Scotia is next with plans underway for February 2008, and Manitoba will join die group, hopefully by summer 2008.
Green Manitoba, an agency of Manitoba Energy, Science and Technology, is working with EPSC and local partners to create a two- pronged approach to a ‘made-in-Manitoba’ solution for ewaste. The long-term plan includes an ongoing program to begin next year, encompassing a stewardship model requiring sellers of e-products to take care of the waste through take-back programs, collection depots or other means. This will likely be funded through an Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) similar to the charge levied on beverage containers now. The Manitoba government must approve any proposals, but with all-party support for the initiative, it will most likely go through regardless of the outcome of an election this year.
The second ‘prong’ is an ?- Waste Round-up’ to be held beginning late this spring and continuing through the summer. The organizers (including Green Manitoba, municipalities, philanthropic organizations and recycling processors) anticipate that 500-plus tonnes of e-waste will be dropped off at collection depots, which will be set up throughout the province. Doug Smith, of Green Manitoba, says that a brief collection blitz in the summer of 2002 netted 90 tonnes of e-waste.
All computers, monitors, printers, scanners and other peripherals, TVs and VCRs, stereos, phones and fax machines, microwaves – anything electronic – will be accepted at the depots. Some special provisions will be made to deal with hazardous materials – from damaged monitors and TVs, for instance.
The items will then be sorted. Usable items will be made available to be “used in Manitoba by somebody”, according to Smith, likely through the efforts of Computers for Schools and Libraries. The remaining equipment will go to recycling and reprocessing facilities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and to Noranda in Brampton, Ontario “a ‘big time player’ which will take it down to the ‘ore’ and recover any metals and minerals”.
This ‘E-Waste Round-up’ is meant primarily for household electronics items, though small businesses may participate. Larger businesses and industry are asked to make special arrangements for the large quantities of material they might generate – such as arranging a shipment direcdy to Noranda. They may also participate in the take-back or buy-back programs offered by their suppliers.
Computers for Schools and Libraries is an organization which has refurbished over 25,000 computers and printers to Manitoba schools, libraries, community centres and daycares since 1995.
Between October 2006 and March 2007, they received 2191 PCs (desktop computers), 4442 monitors, 399 laptop computers and 562 printers.
During the same period, they sent 1262 units (desktops and laptops) out to recipients – schools and native bands. This figure does not include units given to not for profit agencies or Community Connection sites.
They also sent 8 loads, or 43,894 pounds, of IT equipment to be broken down and recycled, at a cost of $27,820. Barb Culbertson, Program Manager, notes that their recycling costs have been gradually increasing over the past 3 months.
These figures represent total donations from die Federal, Provincial and Private sectors.
All federal and provincial government PCs and all associated components and peripherals MUST be offered to Computers for Schools.
Culbertson says that they prefer to take Pentium II and newer computers because they have the most ‘life’ left in them. Some ‘low end stuff’ is given to individuals or organizations needing mostly word processing capabilities mat don’t require faster systems.
Computers for Schools and Libraries will accept all sorts of peripherals and components – including digital cameras and application software that is complete with manuals, diskettes or CDs, and the original license agreements. The harddrives are ‘wiped’ with the RCMP’s DSX disk-wipe software before the operating system is re-loaded. Tax receipts are given for computers and components in working order.
Powerland Computers accepts all computers, monitors and printers. They resell – complete or as parts – most working units. They also prepare some computers for Internet use after first ‘wiping’ the hard drives, re-installing operating systems and any necessary software, and then donate diem to a nearby charity. Finally, they ship some parts for sale as reusable materials – such as iron and copper. Wes Penner, Manager, says that there is currendy no market for the plastic and glass components. He is encouraging the province to set aside an area at the Brady Landfill to store separated plastic and glass for future sale as markets become available, rather than placing them together unsorted as is done now.
Throughout Canada and the United States, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)’s Call2Recycle(TM) program recycles used portable rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb).
A new direction for the future
In addition to taking responsibility for die end-of-life stage of their products, manufacturers are making changes in the way electronic products are being made to cut down on the volume of waste and, especially, of the hazardous components. They are finding ways to reduce or eliminate lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PVC plastics and selected flame-retardants. For instance, Apple is focusing on more efficient design, such as flat screen monitors without CRT (cathode ray tubes). This eliminates over two pounds of lead and consumes up to 80% less energy in ‘sleep mode’.
By working within the ENERGY STAR program, manufacturers are also increasing the energy efficiency of Computers, printers, imaging equipment, televisions and other audio-visual products.
New products are being designed to perform multiple functions, such as notebook computers that can function as portable work stations – providing wireless, high-speed Internet access, or serving as media entertainment centres with the ability to play DVDs and MP3s and to view television broadcasts. As a result, consumers need to buy fewer electronic components. New products are also being designed to allow for replaceable parts that extend their functional lives.
Dr. Witold Kinsner, Associate Head of Computer Engineering at University of Manitoba, outlined the current direction of research and development for IT equipment – self-improving or ‘autonomic’ computers. He explained that a major contributor to computers becoming ‘obsolete’ is that maintenance and upgrading of software is very complex. “When humans are involved things go wrong – we are all amateurs when it comes to computer upgrading because of the complexity.” New computers are being designed to be more independent of human intervention when it comes time to upgrade the software. For instance, the computer will ‘know’ if the software will be compatible, and if mere will be enough disk space, and so on.
The overall maintenance of a computer can cost up to 10 times the original cost of the hardware and software programs. When the complexity of the hardware/software balance exceeds the capability of a small business to do dieir own maintenance, they ‘cast off’ their old equipment and start with new. This makes the life cycle short.
In fact, the mechanical and electronic components of the equipment don’t wear out, but the operating systems don’t keep up with the needs. Kinsner has computers from 1985 that are still working for simple functions. There are websites dedicated to converting your outdated computers to serve other simple but important functions such as file servers and firewalls. (Google ‘projects for old computers’).
It is the younger generation and their games and entertainment demands which are driving the speed of change ‘through the roof. As the Internet has become faster many things have changed including browsers, graphics programs and ‘cards’, dynamic software, phone dialers, and so on. Upgraded video and audio capabilities require bigger and faster operating systems. Large software programs need more RAM or memory, disks are too slow or too small so hard drives fail. A major upgrade to the operating system to support all this speed requires changes to the hardware.
Because of this, the average life cycle of an operating system is three years. Businesses and universities plan to replace all of their computers within 3-4 years in order to keep up with the software of other computers with which they ‘interact’.
When asked, “Do we need all that?” Kinsner replied, “Good question.”
Kinsner acknowledged mat recycling is one aspect of dealing with computers at the end of their useful lives. It is an expensive and time-consuming process to transfer data and to ‘clean’ disks before sending them out for recycling, and then there is the issue of what to do with the waste materials. This is why manufacturers are turning their attention to ways to extend the useful life of the computer itself. A new philosophy of doing business is emerging. One that doesn’t focus primarily on selling more and more units, but of building plans for the ‘after life’ into the original product.
EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) is a system to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT was developed for organizations that buy computers on large purchase contracts, and participating manufacturers have mosdy registered products that are usually bought by these institutional purchasers. However, EPEAT is also available to consumers at http:// www.epeat.net.
So you can see that, though there are already mountains of discarded computers and other electronic equipment, the tide is turning and computers are being made with their end-of-life in mind at the beginning. Steps are being taken to reuse them when possible, and ultimately, to reduce them to their components and recycle whatever can be re-deployed.
This doesn’t solve the current dilemma of printer/computer incompatibility, but it does offer some encouragement for the future.
Electronic Product Stewardship Canada (EPS Canada)
The founding members of EPS Canada are 16 leading electronics manufacturers: Apple Canada Inc.; Brother International Corporation (Canada) Ltd.; Canon Canada Inc.; Dell Canada; Epson Canada Ltd.; Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.; Hitachi Canada Ltd.; IBM Canada Ltd.; Lexmark Canada Inc.; LG Electronics Canada; Panasonic Canada Inc.; Sanyo Canada Inc.; Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd.; Sony of Canada Ltd.; Thomson Multimedia Ltd.; and Toshiba of Canada Ltd.
The organization was created through the joint efforts of the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) and Electro- Federation Canada (EFC).
Take Back, Buy Back and Recycling Programs
Many manufacturers offer programs to deal with end-of-life computers and components:
Apple Canada Inc. has ‘take-back’ programs for a small shipping fee. Some purchasers since July 2006 will qualify for free ‘re- selling’ of usable computers.
IBM Canada Ltd. has a product ‘buy-back’ program for mid-sized businesses and larger organizations that applies to both IBM and non- IBM assets with remaining market value. They offer disposal for defunct equipment.
Canon Canada Inc. has an Equipment End of Life Return program, as well as Rechargeable Battery Recycling, Toner Cartridge and Toner Unit Return programs.
Dell Canada has programs for the disposal, donation and value recovery (resale) of obsolete or excess computers for individuals and businesses.
Epson Canada Ltd. has a program allowing customers to send products for recycling free of charge.
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. will take back and recycle any piece of computing hardware from any manufacturer for prices ranging from $13-34 per item depending on the type or quantity to be returned. They will also take back and recycle Inkjet and Laser Ink cartridges and rechargeable batteries for free.
Lenovo (Canada) Inc. offers recycling of any manufacturer’s computers or peripherals for a flat fee. They also offer asset recovery (resale) for small businesses to large enterprises.
Lexmark Canada Inc. offers donation, reuse or recycling of their brand of printers at customer cost, as well as free ink cartridge return.
Sony of Canada Ltd. allows consumers to trade their old notebook computers for credit toward a new VIAO notebook computer.
Toshiba of Canada Ltd. offers TERRE (Toshiba’s Environmental Recovery and Recycling Effort). They will take any manufacturer’s notebook, LCD monitor or pocket PC for free and will send the owner a 128 MB USB flash drive in exchange.
In Manitoba,
Syrotech Industries (93 Gomez Street, Winnipeg, 942-7900) will take old computers in small quantities for a fee. They accept all electronics including cell phones and microwaves and are the only company that recycles everything on site.
Computers for Schools and Libraries (170 Wyatt Road, Winnipeg, 988-1790) accepts IBM compatible Pentium II or Power PC ‘or better’ Macintosh PCs or laptops, plus keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, modems, scanners, digital cameras, CD ROM drives, servers, and application software that is complete witii manuals, diskettes or CDs, and the original license agreements. They charge a fee for businesses but no fee for homeowners.
Powerland Computers (170 Marion Street, Winnipeg, 237-3800) accepts all computers, monitors and printers. There is no fee for small donations or for re-usable equipment in larger quantities.
Hewlett Packard’s HP Planet Partners recycling service provides an easy way to recycle any brand of computer equipment or HP printing supplies. Go to https://warpl.external.hp.com/Recycle/for an online quote and directions.
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) accepts used portable rechargeable batteries and old cell phones at depots throughout Manitoba. Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries: Nickel Cadmium (Ni- Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb). Go to http://www.rbrc.org/call2recycle/to find a drop off location.
It is generally accepted that, with the speed of change, within six months of buying your new computer, there will be something twice as fast on the market.
Many manufacturers offer programs to deal with end-of-life computers and components
The average life cycle of an operating system is three years. Businesses and universities plan to replace all of their computers within 3-4 years in order to keep up with the software of other computers with which they ‘interact’.
Copyright Manitoba Business Apr 2008
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