Page content section :
Waste and recycling
- Recycling and disposal of old computers including a word of warning ...
- Recycle your old CDs and DVDs
- Recycle your unwanted goods at charity shops - help them raise funds
Recycling and disposal of old computers
When you next upgrade your computer and have an old one to get dispose of, instead of scrapping it so it ends up in a landfill site why not recycle it so that someone else without one can benefit from a computer?
The following organisations can take and recycle and or dispose of old computers. Please note that this is not a complete or extensive list, but is a sample of organisations that can recycle computers. Please contact them for more information (their websites will contain relevant e-mail contact links) :
Local organisations :
(see relevant website for organisation's e-mail contact
details)
- The British Heart Foundation (in Worthing) :
will take whole computer units (base, monitor, keyboard and mouse, but with a minimum standard of Windows XP or later)
43-45 Chapel Road, Worthing
Tel : (01903) 218014
website : www.bhf.org.uk - The YMCA Hove Revived Electrics shop (in Hove) :
will take base units of Windows 98 or above and larger sized monitors.
66 Blatchington road, Hove
Tel : (01273) 776868
website : www.hoveymca.org.uk - Spider's Web IT (free computers for the disabled) :
Anyone living in Brighton & Hove who is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Incapacity Benefit may apply to Spider's Web IT (SWIT for short) for a free refurbished computer. For more information
Tel : (01273) 298667
website : www.spiderswebit.blogspot.com
The West Sussex Recycling Guide lists the following :
- Computer Aid International :
Computer Aid International is a UK registered charity and takes donations of unwanted IT equipment from UK organisations and individuals which we data wipe, refurbish and send to developing countries. Computer Aid offers a complete service, including data destruction, computer refurbishment, full asset tracking and positive PR opportunities. Donating computers to Computer Aid also guarantees compliance with all UK legislation, including the WEEE directive, Data Protection Act and Environment Act.
Telephone Number: 0208 361 5540
website : www.computeraid.org - e-mail addresses are available on their website - T. P. Smart :
will take computers, please contact them for the specifications they require.
Ford Lane, Arundel,BN8 0DF
Tel : (01243) 554165 - Wastecare :
Recovers and recycle redundant IT equipment, please contact them for the specifications they require.
Tel : 01133 854321
website : www.wastecare.co.uk - Bulli Computers :
will take computers, please contact them for the specifications they require.
The Farmers Stores, Gatehouse Lane, Goddards Green, BN6 9LD
Tel : (01444) 871609 - ABCOM :
will take computers, please contact them for the specifications they require.
Tel : (01444) 871200 - Willow Computers :
Will collect computers from households, please contact them for the specifications they require.
Tel : 07980 402 986 (contact Justin Reeves) - PCFix :
PC maintenance and recycling.
Church Lane, Broadbridge Heath, RH12 3ND
Tel : (01403) 269 835 - Computers for Charities :
Please contact them for the specifications they require.
Cemetary Lodge, Ersham Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3LJ
(no Tel no. listed)
Other organisations :
- Digital Links International :
Will collect equipment for refurbishment and reuse in the developing world. Needs a minimum of 25 monitors or base units per collection.
1 London Bridge, SE1 9BG
Tel : 020 7785 6261
website : www.digital-links.org
Alternatively : If you can't recycle your old computer the Household Waste Recycling Site (HWRS) at Brighton Road, Shoreham will accept computer equipment for disposal.
A word of warning
Note
: Always remember to thoroughly and completely delete files and
information off of the computer that you wouldn't want other people to have
access to before you dispose of a computer (eg correspondence, e-mails,
word processing, bank and personal details, photos, usernames and passwords,
etc).
Recycle your old CDs and DVDs
History and uses
Compact Discs, more commonly known as CDs, became commercially available
in 1982. Originally CDs were used for storing audio data, but with the development
of DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) and CD-ROMs (Compact Disc read-only memory);
they can now be used for storing computer software, games, and films. More
recently, Blu-ray discs have been developed as the successor to DVDs.
Examples include:
- Music CD
- Computer software such as games for consoles and anti virus software
- DVD films
- Data storage discs
Did you know?
- That every year in the UK approximately 130 million CDs are sold.
Why recycle CDs and DVDs?
CDs and DVDs are made up of a variety of materials such as polycarbonate (a form of plastic), aluminium and paint. Their cases are either plastic jewel cases or paper cases and most jewel cases will also contain paper inserts.
All of these materials, if buried in landfill, not only become ‘lost’ resources but may pose a significant environmental impact and take a long time to break down.
Recycling makes environmental and economic sense. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials and using recycled products often requires less energy in the manufacturing process.
Plastics for instance are derived from crude oil, a limited fossil fuel, so by recycling discs and their cases this can help contribute to lower oil consumption, preserving stocks for longer.
Where to recycle CDs and DVDs
CDs and DVDs cannot be placed in your recycling bin at home.
Save your unwanted CDs and DVDs and take them with you on your next visit to your local Household Waste Recycling Site (HWRS), where a blue wheelie bin is provided for CDs and DVDs.
Household Waste Recycling Site (HWRS) at Brighton Road, Shoreham
How are they recycled?
Once collected from HWRS CDs and DVDs are sent to Polymer Recycling to be recycled. The cases are removed along with any paper inserts. All paper is then baled, sent to paper mills and recycled into more paper products. The jewel cases are granulated and any contaminants removed. The left over plastic granules are then recycled into various plastic products such as more CD cases.
The discs themselves go through a special process, unique to Polymer Recycling, removing paint, aluminium and data. The recovered aluminium is reused as an insulation material.
The 'cleaned' discs are then granulated, blended and compounded into a high quality polycarbonate for further use in injection moulded applications such as burglar alarm covers.
The whole process at Polymer Recycling is carried out without chemicals and in a totally secure environment.
Did you know?
- West Sussex started recycling CDs and DVDs in June 2008. Since then, residents in West Sussex have recycled over 15 tonnes of CDs and DVDs. This is the same weight as 15,000 bags of sugar (1kg).
Other options - Reduce & Reuse
- Try using re-writable CDs and DVDs which can be used over and over again.
- Donate old music CDs and DVDs to charity shops (see charity shop section below).
- Use old CDs and DVDs for art and craft projects or as instant drinks coasters.
- Hang CDs and DVDs in allotments to stop the birds eating your vegetables!
- Use DVDs for storing data. The manufacture of DVDs requires fewer materials than CDs and can hold more data.
For further information about CD and DVD recycling visit www.polymerrecycling.co.uk
For other information about recycling in West Sussex visit www.recycleforwestsussex.org
Recycle your unwanted goods at charity shops - help them raise funds
Don’t add even more to the landfill mountains!
Toner/print cartridges, mobile phones, foreign currency, stamps, clothes, music CDs, DVDs and other general items can be turned into cash by charities and local organisations to support work with older or disabled or disadvantaged people
A list of other shops is included on our waste and recycling useful external links page.
