Waste GenerationEach year millions of new computers, monitors, laptops and peripherals are sold into the Canadian marketplace. Some of these sales represent ‘new’ customers(Businesses, Institutions, Homes, Government offices) who are purchasing computer equipment for the first time, while the majority are those that are replacing old or out dated equipment found in residential, commercial and institutional settings. The obsolete equipment is typically 3-5 years old 4 and, while often still usable (i.e., not broken), it no longer meets the needs of the user. The point at which a computer becomes obsolete is also referred to as the end of the equipment’s first life.Obsolete computer equipment will be directed to one of four destinations/outlets:1)Storage, 2) Reuse, 3) Recycling, 4) Disposal. (as shown in figure below) Storage: In many instances, discarded computer equipment is placed in storage. Forresidential computers this may mean storage in basements, or for business computersthis may mean placement in storage or warehousing areas. In many cases ITequipment is stored largely because the owner hopes that the out-dated equipment hassome potential resale value, or that they may use it in the future. In other cases,equipment is stored simply because people do not know what to do with it and areresistant to throwing out a piece of equipment that may have cost them thousands ofdollars a few years ago. Accurate quantification of the number of computers beingstored is not available, but estimates range from 45% to 50% of obsolete computers 5.Eventually, stored computers will end up being disposed.Reuse: End of first-life computer equipment typically goes to one of two reuseapplications: 1) resold as used equipment, or 2) donated to a charity organization.Retail outlets, both traditional and Internet-based are increasingly becoming avenues for the sale of used computer equipment. IT manufacturers are also getting into the bus...
