Upgrading system
From TheStudentWiki
One major issue within the environment is the neglect and disposable of computer equipment and surrounding peripherals i.e. printers, scanners etc in landfill sites worldwide. According to the ‘United Nation Research Group’, the levels of such ironically, still fully functional computer equipment and peripherals being disposed of (per annum) is persistently on the increase, as more home users, independent workers and businesses worldwide feel that their computers and peripherals are in their ideology are “systems/printers too old”, “not relevant to their requirements”, “don’t have the newest Operating System” and so on. Due to these beliefs and neglect to opportunity such as upgrade, the harsh reality of toxic waste from such disposals, means that the level of environmentally harmful chemicals found within computers is having an increasing impact on the environment worldwide.
Previous worldwide research has found that the most efficient method of overcoming this problem of electronic waste and surrounded neglect is to let computer and peripheral manufacturers i.e. Apple, Creative, Epson etc and computer users across (home, work, business etc) the world be aware of incentives to upgrade or re-use computer hardware, as opposed to taking the simple path of discarding computers and peripherals to landfill sites. Ideally, if incentives i.e. paid donations etc were considered by such users, the increasing problem of electronic waste disposal worldwide would most definitely be reduced. Furthermore, the perfect scenario for when a particular user feels their home/work computer is inadequate, is to consider aspects of upgrading their current system as opposed to change. The problem evidently lies with users' set ideology of "new computers/peripherals are cheaper to by with new software/Operating System previously installed, as opposed to getting my current system upgraded".
Apple currently offer the shipping and environmental disposal of any old computer with the purchase of a new computer where they will pay for shipping and environmentally friendly disposal of any old computer with the purchase of a new Mac from the company's retail or online stores. This offers both the advantage to the company as they can use the components to help with future repairs for continues customers.
See links below for more information regarding recycling
Recycling - This page will link you to other options that involve recycling computers instead of simply throwing them away.
Donating Computers - The process of donating unwanted (both broken and functional) computers to relevant organisations
E-Waste - The process of considering and highlighting the dangers and problems of dumping bio-degradable computers and other electronic peripherals i.e. printers, scanners etc.
