Wanted: Old/Broken Desktop computers for school education programme
Kia ora everyone
I deliver an environmental education programme in Whangarei promoting the recycling of electronics. As part of the lesson students get to take apart a desktop computer and learn about the materials inside. The students absolutely love it! "I've never seen them so focused" is a common quote from teachers. I am having trouble finding enough computers to keep up with demand so would like to ask the generous people of Whangarei if they have any old computers stashed away they would like to donate to the cause. Contact me at anton@cbec.co.nz or on 021 058 3126. (UPDATE I can only take the computer tower/box part not the monitor/screen as they are potentially dangerous to dismantle)
Please everyone out there recycle your electronics including cellphones, don't put them in the rubbish! They contain not only valuable rare metals like gold, silver, platinum and Rare Earth Elements but also toxic heavy metals like Lead, Cadmium and Mercury. They can be recycled at Re:sort for a cost close to or the same as normal rubbish so no need to dump them (except for TV screens I am pretty sure this info is still correct).
Some scientists are predicting that in the future we will need to mine our landfills for these rare metals as supplies could become scarce if we keep dumping them.
Especially remember that the old boxy CRT TV screens contain a lot of LEAD which is a highly toxic heavy metal. These should not end up the landfill nor dumped in a drain or creek as they can contaminate the land and water terribly and permanently. I know it costs a lot to recycle them but that is because there are only a few facilities in the world that can recycle them (Sweden Japan, USA) and they are toxic, difficult to recycle and are bulky to freight overseas.
Overseas in some countries when electronics are purchased a small compulsory recycling fee is included in the cost which allows easy free drop off at its end of life. That is what we would advocate here in NZ rather than a pay when its dead system which discourages recycling from those who can't/won't pay.
Thanks for reading my rant, hope you can help :-)
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