Chemicals and Waste

Chicago

Reuse: Computers dropped off at the facility will have their hard drives wiped clean before they are either reused or broken apart and each material is recycled or properly disposed of. The Illinois Department of Corrections, the City of Chicago and PC Rebuilders and Recyclers created an 11-week program to train ex-offenders in electronics recycling at the HCCRF. Participants also receive internships and job placement assistance in this growth industry. Recycled computers and other products are then made available to local schools, churches, non-profit groups and low-income families.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/doe/supp_info/hccrf/household_chemicalscomputerrecyclingfacilityoverview.html

Chicago• The Household Chemicals and

Computer Recycling Facility accepts these electronic materials:

• all computer related equipment (monitors, mouse, hard drives, CPU’s, computer cables, keyboards, laptops, etc.)

• cell phones • fax machines • scanners • printers/copiers • televisions/TV’s (both working and

non-working TV's) • DVD players • MP3/digital music players • PDAs • VHS players • Video game consoles • Zip drives • Computer cables

The Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility does NOT accept:•business/commercial sector wastes (residential waste only) •explosives, ammunition, or fireworks •latex paint (how to dispose of latex paint) •agricultural and institutional waste •smoke or carbon monoxide detectors •farm machinery oil •cement or concrete •household appliances (microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, stoves, refrigerators, washer, dryers, humidifiers, blenders, dehumidifiers, etc.) •medical waste (such as sharps, needles, lancets, biohazards) •HVAC systems and accessories (air conditioners, furnaces, filters, etc.) •radioactive material •refrigerants/freons •air conditioners •tires •controlled substances/narcotics •large/business copy machines •vacuum cleaners •films, reels, CD’s, DVD’s, video tapes, cassette tapes, etc. •answering machines •calculators •digital cameras •video cameras •paper shredders •power tools •print cartridges •stereo equipment •telephones •typewriters •business copy machines

Australia

• Hazardous wastes are wastes that have the potential to harm humans or the environment. Household hazardous wastes like oils, chemicals, batteries, old computers and mobile phones should be discarded or recycled safely and responsibly to protect the environment and keep your home safe.

• http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hazardous_waste?OpenDocument

Can My Compute Poison Me?

• http://computer.howstuffworks.com/computer-poison.htm/printable

Apple

• http://www.apple.com/hotnews/agreenerapple/

Environmental reports…

• Basel Action Network– http://www.ban.org/

• Computwer WasteLands– http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/10/video-chi

nas-toxic-wastelands-of-consumer-electronics-revealed/

– http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4586903n

What is this bias?

• http://toxicchemicals.net/

Comp History

• http://videos.howstuffworks.com/podtech-networks/2485-mythbusters-guys-talk-computer-history-video.htm