Used computers find new homes

Fresh program helps to reduce electronic waste

In an attempt to prevent local environmental hazards, a JMU professor is working to salvage the useful remains of old computers.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 220 million tons of archaic computers and other electronics are disposed of each year, according to its Web site www.epa.gov. Aside from overflowing landfills, computers are made of a variety of different materials — many of which can be harmful to groundwater supplies, according to the EPA.

Geoffrey Egekwu, associate professor of Integrated Science and Technology, is working with the City of Harrisonburg to combat this problem locally. The city contacted JMU because "we work with JMU on a lot of things," said Charles Honaker, solid waste superintendent for the City of Harrisonburg. "We have become more and more involved with JMU and help each other out."

Egekwu said he will "put the project up for senior projects" later in the semester.

Last summer, the city contacted JMU and Center of Integrated Science and Technology about finding a solution to this growing environmental hazard, and Egekwu passed the project on to a group of his students.

The main goal of the city and JMU is to dissemble these used computers, reuse what can be and safely dispose of what cannot be, according to Egekwu.

Currently, only about 10 percent of old computers, cell phones and other hardware ever are recycled or reused, according to a Dec. 10, 2003 press release.

The students, after deciding that their first problem was not knowing most of the chemicals in computers, discovered such harmful toxic chemicals as mercury, lead, cadmium and polyvinyl chloride. They also discovered recyclable materials, including small amounts of gold, copper, aluminum and silver.

"You can use some of the other parts to rebuild or refurbish other computers," Egekwu said. "Other parts that can't be reused, such as plastic casings, can be ground up and recycled to make other products. In the past, everything — chemicals, plastics, different hazardous materials — has gone into the county landfill."

Since then, the city has contacted Computer Recycling of Virginia, Inc., a company out of Virginia Beach, to collect old and used computers from members of the community. While this still is in the beginning phases of planning, the target date is about a week after the May graduation. Efforts also are being made to hold the collection at an accessible place, such as the old Wal-Mart parking lot, according to Honaker.

While it still is a long way off, Egekwu said he hopes that they eventually will set up an assembly line to strip down computers for recycling and proper disposal.

Someday, the school and the city even may be able to profit from this project, but, more importantly, "it will mean cleaner ground water, safer landfills and, ultimately, a cleaner, healthier environment," Egekwu said.

In the meantime, there are Web sites to donate old equipment to charity.

Some Web sites, such as www.eclecticchurch.org/wwwboard/messages/759.htm, explain how to donate old cell phones to victims of domestic abuse. Proceeds from some of these phones go to shelters, and others are reprogrammed to dial only 911.

Other sites, such as www.wirelessrecycling.com/home/index.html, give instructions for donating used cell phones and starting a collection in your area.

Individuals and businesses can donate computers through the state of Virginia's Second Chance Program. Information can be found at www.microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/Virginia.

Honaker also suggests students "hang on to [their computers] until spring.

"We'll be taking all electronics, computers, televisions, cell phones," and a number of other things, he said.

Computers also can be donated to Harrisonburg High School.

"We'll take old stuff, especially if it works," said D.D. Dawson, director of Business and Technology at Health and Human Services. Those who do wish to donate computers to Harrisonburg High School can contact Dawson at 434-5730.