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Recycling IT hardware, especially PCs, sounds like a good idea. But while the environment stands to benefit, recycling has its difficulties. Pia Heikkila reports...
Moore's law states processing power doubles every 18 months. This has generally been a good thing. In short, it means better and faster computers. But looked at another way, it means computers age quickly.
As it is, updating a company's IT hardware every two years or so is not only expensive but a major headache for IT directors and their cohorts, but once the installation carnival is safely over, there is also the question of what to do with the old devices.
There are different ways to ensure computers enjoy a graceful retirement. One option is to donate old PCs to the voluntary sector or schools through a recycler. Then there are those optimists that try to sell them for profit.
Some IT equipment is immediately suitable for re-distribution, but older machines in particular have to be broken down into their component parts.
According to Claire Snow, director of Industry Council for Electronic Equipment Recycling (ICER), recycling in the UK is a straightforward procedure. "Both us and the Department of Trade and Industry publish a list of PC recyclers that companies can contact directly. The nearest recycling operation will then come and collect the equipment free of charge."
However, IT directors hoping to cash in on their PC reserves may be in for a shock as only newer machines can be sold on. One option is to sell devices to a computer reseller or exchange them for new ones, paying the difference.
IDC has predicted sales of used PCs will increase over the next two years by 40 per cent and provide welcome revenue for companies whose technology investment is often substantial.
Mike Hewitt, project co-ordinator at PC Recycler, a voluntary organisation accepting machines for re-distribution, said: " We have a minimum requirement for PCs. They need to be able to run Windows 95. The PCs are then tested and distributed free of charge to organisations working in the voluntary sector."
The EU is planning to introduce a directive that leaves the responsibility of recycling PCs with their manufacturer. If it becomes law, the Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive will force PC distributors to take back old equipment being replaced with newer machines.
The proposed directive is expected to pass through the Commission this year but local implementation can take much longer. ICER's Snow has proposed different tactics in order to reduce the plastic and metal scrap heaps. "ICER is launching a recycling standard shortly which will help companies to determine which form of disposal is best for them," she said.
PC Superstore in Finland claims it has been operating a 'trade old for new' policy for a number for years.
Jari Haikio, sales director at PC Superstore, said: "Our salesmen can estimate the value of a company's PCs and then negotiate lower prices for new machines. Old components get the normal recycling treatment, but some can be donated to schools for instance."
UK computer retail giant PC World operates a similar policy, but according to a spokeswoman, the majority of PCs still end up on the scrap heap.
Some equipment is also sent to countries outside the UK. Developing nations are often eager to take on used PCs for educational and even professional use.
Sevy Dadourian, chief technical officer at UK-based computer reseller Re-Usit, said: "We can take old PCs, as long as they work. But we can only give customers a short guarantee. You never know what sort of a history a machine has."
And history can return to haunt donors. Recycling old PCs can pose serious security risks if companies and institutions fail to erase data from hard disks. Data recovery experts say banks, hospital and other institutions can risk exposing sensitive data when PCs are re-sold or discarded. Experts claim that even formatting a hard drive isn't enough to destroy all data. More robust methods are needed.
Kim Vaisanen, MD at Blancco, a data cleaning specialist, told silicon.com: "Many companies don't realise it is their responsibility to clean the hard drive. If sensitive data ends up in the wrong hands, companies only have themselves to blame."
Tony Inkster, a recovery specialist at data recovery company Ibas, said many financial institutions don't realise the sensitivity of their data.
He said: "The argument over how likely someone is to stumble across highly sensitive information and abuse it is irrelevant as data shouldn't be there in the first place. To recover data is very simple. Anyone can get their hands on critical information. You hardly need any IT knowledge to be able to recover information."
A clean, green conscience seems to be the only major benefit of recycling old PCs. Certainly financial payback can be surprisingly small. But despite the pitfalls, surely the high-tech industry as a whole would benefit from a more environmentally friendly image.
After all, technology is designed to advance our lives, not to increase an ever-growing waste pile.
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