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The safe use and disposal of computer equipment

Introduction

This information sheet provides information on how you can minimise the environmental impact when buying and disposing of computer equipment.

Computer equipment includes desktop computers, notebooks (laptops), monitors and accessories such as printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, speakers and cables. Although computer equipment has made our life much easier, it has also created a new type of waste: electronic waste or e-waste for short. E-waste is the fastest growing type of municipal waste in the world. In Europe it is growing at three times the rate of other municipal waste¹.

Why should you be concerned about e-waste?

The amount of computer equipment in New Zealand is growing rapidly. In 2007, 612,160 desktop computers and notebooks were sold in New Zealand, which is 2.6 times higher than 10 years earlier (this does not include monitors that are sold separately). Between 1994 and 2007, more than 5 million desktop computers and notebooks were sold². When this equipment reaches its end-of-life it will have to be disposed of creating e-waste.

E-waste is more toxic than normal household rubbish. Computer equipment contains toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury. The plastic casing and wiring of computer equipment can also contain hazardous materials. If e-waste is disposed of improperly or illegally dumped, electronics can pose a serious risk to the environment and to people.  

Computer equipment also contains valuable resources, such as copper, platinum and gold. Landfilling e-waste is not a long-term solution because it stores e-waste rather than allowing for the recovery and reuse of valuable materials. Unwanted computer equipment that is properly disassembled and recycled can reduce the use of natural resources (needed to manufacture new products) and prevent hazardous substances from entering the environment. Between 70 and 90 per cent of the material in scrap computer equipment (by weight) is potentially recyclable or reusable³. Materials such as steel, aluminium, copper, glass and some plastics can be recycled.

Buy green

You can make a difference when purchasing new equipment by choosing products that cause less environmental impacts. Look for computer equipment that uses less energy, is made with recyclable and recycled materials, and is easier to upgrade, fix and recycle. You can encourage electronics manufacturers to design greener electronics by purchasing environmentally preferable equipment and by requesting take-back options at the time of purchase. You can also buy second-hand equipment to give used products a new life.

Before buying new or second-hand computer equipment:

• Think twice before buying, do you really need it?  
• Consider buying second-hand computer equipment instead of new. Request a warranty when buying any refurbished equipment. Many large organisations offer high-quality used computers to their employees. You may also find what you are looking for from the numerous second-hand outlets and websites and through newspaper advertisements.
• Consider leasing equipment. When it is time to upgrade to a newer product you return your old computer to the vendor who takes responsibility for its disposal. Check the disposal policy of the vendor.
• Look for durable products. When buying a new item, review the product’s repair history and consumer reliability ratings. Ask retailers for equipment with maintenance contracts and extended warranties.
• Avoid monitors with cathode ray tubes (CRTs), when possible. Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens are more energy-efficient than CRTs and do not contain leaded glass.
• Look at equipment that can be upgraded. Buy computers that can accommodate additional memory chips and other functions, such as larger hard drives. This could be cheaper than replacing an entire system.
• Ask your retailer about computer equipment that:
  • is made with fewer toxic parts such as lead-free solder or mercury-free back-lighting in the monitor
  • uses minimal packaging
  • uses recycled content, in the product itself or in the packaging
  • is energy efficient (eg, showing the Energy Star label)
  • is capable of printing double-sided copies (applicable to printers)
  • can use remanufactured toner cartridges (applicable to printers)
  • offers leasing or take-back options
  • has been recognised by independent certification groups such as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) as environmentally preferable.

Reusing and upgrading your equipment

It is better to repair and upgrade your equipment, than replace it with something new. Some products can be upgraded by replacing one or two components instead of the entire unit. For example, a slow running computer may just need more memory or a larger hard-drive. Many computers can be given a new lease of life by simple maintenance work such as defragmenting hard drives, and removing temporary files that have accumulated.

A lot of people dispose of computer equipment before it reaches the end of its life. You can help reduce this waste by donating or selling the products you don’t want. This way, you allow schools, non-profit organisations and families on a budget to use equipment that they otherwise may not be able to afford.

Before donating or selling your computer equipment:

• Make sure the equipment is in good working order and reusable. Donation-receiving organisations have limited resources to repair hardware. Don’t pass on your waste disposal problem to someone else.
• Make the decision to sell or donate equipment sooner rather than later. Leaving equipment in storage depletes its useful value. As a general rule, computer equipment that is more than three to four years old can be difficult to sell.
• Remove all data from disk drives. Use appropriate security wipe software. The Government Communications Security Bureau recommends www.blancco.com.

Recycling your equipment

Although the Ministry for the Environment encourages industry to implement take-back recycling schemes for obsolete computers, there are currently limited options for recycling computer equipment in New Zealand.

Some options are listed in the links below and include refurbishing⁴ and recycling companies, council-owned recycling centres and computer manufacturers take-back schemes.

Due to the lack of facilities currently available in New Zealand, most companies send collected computer equipment offshore for safe disposal. They have to apply for Basel consent to export the e-waste and must be able to demonstrate this has been approved by the Ministry of Economic Development⁵.

It is important to ask any recycling provider if they have a valid Basel permit. This ensures the equipment is recycled in an environmentally sound manner once it leaves New Zealand.

Before recycling your computer equipment:

• Contact your computer supplier or retailer and request information on their recycling schemes. They will not provide the service until customers demand it so it is good to express your expectations about recycling.
• Asset management and recovery programmes are available to major corporations and large purchasers of computer equipment. Ensure your employer is aware of these services and that they are using a recycler who can guarantee the safe management of the hazardous waste and who sends a minimal percentage of the product to landfill.
• Ask your supplier to take back used packaging as well.

Toner and ink cartridges

Toner and ink cartridges also have negative impacts on the environment (resource use, toxic materials and waste generation). You can help reduce these impacts by making simple changes when buying, using and disposing of toner and ink cartridges:

• Ask for products with eco-labels such as Environmental Choice.
• Reduce your demand for printing supplies by using black and white instead of colour, reducing font size and the number of pages. Print draft documents with your printer set to economy mode.
• Choose printers that require replacement of toner only.
• Send your used cartridges to a recycling programme. Take-back schemes are offered through major office supply companies and some of the major office equipment suppliers.
• Where available, choose remanufactured cartridges with a performance guarantee.
• Choose packaging which is made out of recycled material and is recyclable.

Below is a list of some companies in New Zealand who sell recycled cartridges, refill your existing cartridge or accept used cartridges for reuse and recycling. Look in the Yellow Pages for companies near you.

Useful links

Computer manufacturer take-back services

There may be a charge for these services and restrictions may apply.

Dell operates disposal and recycling programmes available to any business or consumer in New Zealand and accepts any manufacturer’s desktop computers, notebook computers, monitors and servers.
www.dell.co.nz/recycle Phone 0800 440 603

Hewlett Packard’s Planet Partners Programme offers to take back any manufacturer’s end-of-life personal computers, servers, printers, print cartridges, scanners, fax machines and computer peripherals. This service is available to HP corporate customers only.
http://h50055.www5.hp.com/ipg/supplies/recycling/hardware/nz/index.asp Phone 0800 357 041

IBM’s Global Asset Recovery Solutions provides reuse and recycling services for business customers, including sole-traders. This service is available to IBM corporate customers only.
http://www-03.ibm.com/financing/nz/gars/tradein.html Phone 0800 408 035

Lenovo operates a take-back programme to dispose of old computers and monitors and receive cash back for purchasing new computer equipment. This asset recovery service is available for business only.
www.lenovo.com/services_warranty/NZ/en/asset_recovery.html Phone 0800 446 833

Toshiba operates a programme for the diposal of unwanted notebooks and desktop computers. This service is available for home users and businesses. For your nearest drop-off point, visit www.isd.toshiba.com.au/servicecentres

Refurbishing and recycling companies and second hand computers

Note that some companies may charge you for their recycling service. If you live in an area where there are no drop-off points, some companies offer a pick-up service. 

Computer Access New Zealand Trust (CANZ) promotes the reuse of surplus government and corporate computer equipment by schools and community groups. It promotes standards and a code of practice and accredits companies which meet these standards. www.canz.org.nz

eDay is a community initiative designed to raise awareness of the hazardous nature of e-waste, while offering an easy way for households to dispose of old computers and mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable manner. Check www.eday.org.nz to find out when and where eDay will be held next.

Local authority recycling centers

Meta New Zealand’s eco-depots in Christchurch accept a wide variety of serviceable household items and sell many of them, including computers at its ‘Supershed’. www.terranova.org.nz Phone (03) 336 0080

Trash Palace is the recycling centre in Porirua where you can drop off and buy second hand household goods. You can also learn about sustainable living in one of the recycling education programmes or community projects at the Trash Palace Education Centre. www.trashpalace.co.nz Phone (04) 237 6440

Second Treasure shop run by Wellington City Council, accepts donated items people no longer want that are still in useable condition. www.wellington.govt.nz/services/landfills/treasure/treasure.html Phone (04) 383 4438

You can also check out second-hand shops or resource recovery centres run by your local council.

Recycling advice

Recycling Operators of New Zealand (RONZ) is an organisation which represents recycling service providers, operators and educators in the recovered materials and recycling industry. Their website provides useful information on waste minimisation. An example is the New Zealand Waste Minimisation Resources Directory which identifies practical resources available to councils, educators, commercial and community recyclers and service providers involved in waste minimisation programmes and initiatives. www.ronz.org.nz

Government information

The Information Communication Technology Equipment: Good Practice Guidelines for Environmental Sustainability is a guideline commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment to encourage the environmentally sustainable use of ICT equipment by businesses. 

Environmental Choice New Zealand is a voluntary environmental labelling programme, which operates to international standards and principles. The programme recognises the genuine moves made by manufacturers to reduce the environmental impacts of their products and provides a credible and independent guide for consumers who want to purchase products that are better for the environment. They have produced a specification for computers.

The Govt3 programme provides useful information and advice for procurement officers in government agencies to help them adopt sustainable practices.

New Zealand has adopted the ENERGY STAR programme. It is a voluntary labeling programme awarded to the most energy efficiency appliances and products. ENERGY STAR is being phased into New Zealand by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). You can download the Energy Star qualified computers and monitors lists from www.energystar.govt.nz

More information

Contact the Ministry for the Environment by phoning (04) 439 7400 or emailing
e-waste@mfe.govt.nz or check out www.mfe.govt.nz