How are computers and related parts recycled?
Computer recycling generates a large amount of reusable components. When computers are disassembled as part of a demanufacturing program, various components are removed for recycling or reuse. Some examples include: • The CRT glass is shipped off to either a secondary lead smelter to recover the lead or to a CRT glass manufacturer where the glass is used to produce new CRT glass. • The electronic components in the CPU are removed and sold as parts to various manufacturers/recyclers across the country. These parts include the circuit board, memory chips, hard drive, rechargeable battery, power supply, processor, and various video and sound cards. • Plastic components are separated by type and either shredded and sold to plastic processors or blended as a fuel source for energy. • Metal components are separated and sent to scrap metal recyclers where it is sold to smelters to be melted down and used to make new steel products.
