Recycle
updated Shawn 22:59, 23 May 2008 (PDT)
How We Recycle
Any computer equipment, working or not, can be donated to Free Geek; we will repair and reuse what computers we can. Non-functioning computers and scrap will be recycled responsibly.
(photo) A very old dot-matrix printer on its way to recycling.
Please see this link for info on equipment donations.
What Happens to Your Computer When it is Recycled?
Computers that are deemed obsolete or broken are demanufactured and separated into their basic components by volunteers. Free Geek then finds a local industrial recycler to process the materials. We work with companies that we are confident are handling the materials in an environmentally responsible manner.
- Obsolete monitors and terminals are processed by Total Reclaim in Seattle, Washington. (Total Reclaim is a signer of the BAN Pledge. http://ban.org/pledge/electronics_recycler_pledge.pdf)
- Aluminum, motors, wires and cables, printers, scanners, and speakers and other copper bearing material are sold to Bear ECycling in Portland, Oregon.
- Circuit boards and processors are sold for precious metal recovery to Hallmark Refining Corporation in Washington and Bear ECycling in Portland, Oregon.
- Wires and cables are sold to Greenwall Industries, also in Portland.
- Plastic is sent to Total Reclaim in Seattle, Washington.
- Steel is sold to Schnitzer Steel, in Portland, Oregon.
Free Geek heartily supports the Basel Action Network http://ban.org and their efforts to reduce the irresponsible disposal of e-waste. All signatories http://ban.org/pledge/Locations.html of the BAN Pledge have agreed, among other requirements, to: prevent hazardous e-waste from going to municipal incinerators or landfills, prevent the export of hazardous e-waste to developing countries, and use free-market rather than prison labor to dismantle or recycle e-waste.
Wanted
* why these vendors: criteria, BAN pledge * coming changes in ewaste legislation and link to environmental impact of ewaste * no links to vendor names