BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA SCHOOL

UNIVERSITY OF CARACAS - SUCRE MISSION

NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
IN SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

RECYCLING AND REUSING COMPUTERS

AS A BENEFIT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Authors:
Yaddy Rangel
C.I. 16.307.413
José Gregorio Corzo
C.I. 16.038.871
Zulnivis Manrique
C.I. 18.499.500

El Vigía, February 2008

 CHAPTER I Approach

of the Problem

In recent decades, we have observed an increase in the use and dependence

from computers. This presents us with a dilemma when deciding what
we do with units and peripherals that over time become
obsolete. A new type of solid waste has been created --- a new type of
waste that must be managed in a different way, due to the diversity of
materials that are found in it. Hence the term 'compubasura': from a case of
mismanagement of solid waste (which in some instances is considered hazardous).
All computers, computer components, peripherals, or
accessory that is no longer used, whether it is stored or has been disposed of
to consider oneself obsolete.

The disposal of waste is a formidable challenge due to the

characteristics that this waste has. It has materials that are recyclable and that
they can be recovered, while having materials that are classified as 'obsolete'
by the regulatory agencies. If the latter were arranged in an inadequate manner,
they could cause serious environmental problems, and could even threaten health
public. However, the most important aspect is that this resource, if managed
properly, it could extend the lifespan of these items, achieving some
resources that would otherwise be virtually impossible to obtain due to their
high cost in the market.

Also known as the compubasura, it is the long-awaited problem that has been
evident in recent years: the excessive accumulation of electronic equipment in
the world. Only in the United States are around 22 million computers bought
each year and it is estimated that the global availability of computers and their peripherals would have

reached in 2001 near 150 million units only that year at a rate of
16% five-year growth. The rapid obsolescence of hardware equipment is
due to a rapid development of the available technology that already for reasons of
The market already loses compatibility with previous technology due to technical requirements.
 In principle, the problem of garbage accumulation would be seriously affecting
developed countries, which are implementing rigorous disposal policies
waste in landfills. The trend has been to delay disposal, accumulating the
electronic waste in warehouses and garages, which is accompanied by recycling to
very small scale. However, this garbage cannot be accumulated forever in
these warehouses. This is how those who generate this waste have resorted to two measures
mainly:

• Reuse and Refurbishment which consists of taking advantage of the same computer with
some modifications; and

• Recycling, which consists of breaking down the computer into its components and reusing them.

the same.

The case of refusal is one that is normally practiced within the

organizations and in transitional countries, such as Venezuela. However, it is not a
sustainable formula due to the pressure exerted by warranty business practices
service, technological compatibility, and the lifespan of the equipment. Likewise, the donation is
even avoided by recipient organizations that are not always willing to
receive used equipment. However, the size of the electronic waste problem is such
that developed countries are defining strategies to facilitate reuse such as
alternative, and they have turned to developing countries as custodians of this
technology. While this can be interpreted as further evidence that countries
developed countries see the less developed as their dumping grounds, they also exist
realities in our countries that represent an opportunity to use fewer technologies
advanced.

For example, there are numerous cases that demonstrate that adopting a
technocentric perspective for social development projects often ends in
failure. In our countries there are socio-economic sectors with a significant
digital divide, to whom it is difficult to propose the use of very advanced technology.
Additionally, the lack of budget sometimes prevents taking on the costs of
acquisition of new equipment. In both cases, the use of reused equipment is a
alternative.

Nevertheless, the rejected teams require the implementation of measures.

additional ones that revitalize their proper use. It's not just about simply
donate them: it is about refurbishing them and extending their life and services until they
ensure a correct substitution. According to a report (in preparation) made
for a Dutch NGO, I found that in Latin America they are beginning to become evident
algunos programas de mejores prácticas para el uso de equipos usados. Los más
popular consist of computer rooms for state schools (e.g. Argentina,
Colombia, and now Guatemala and the Dominican Republic) based on the successes achieved
in a Canadian project. Other programs, such as in Brazil and somewhat in Ecuador, are
they associate with the strengthening of less favored sectors led by organizations
civilians and additionally include the use of free software, a formula that wins more
interest day by day. The use of this type of software promises to offer the same uses as the
traditional software occupying less memory. But there don't seem to be serious initiatives.
of Latin American environmental organizations.

Now, it is important to highlight that even a good computer program

refurbished does not ultimately solve the problem of electronic waste:
simply extend the deadline for disposing of the equipment. Hence, it is also considered in the
recycling alternative.

The problem of electronic waste is not only the accumulation of units.

in landfills: current computers are made from materials that are difficult to recycle
degradable and even toxic. The list is long: plastics, including PVC; lead in the
screens; mercury in switches; beryllium in panels; chromium, barium...

In response to this problem, state agencies have passed the

responsibility to producers, making them take on the externalities
negatives of their products. Now, the refusal, which is nothing more than prolonging life
useful equipment delays the disposal of electronic waste, it does not prevent it. On the other hand, the

The electronics product industry bases its profitability on rapid obsolescence.

response? The redesign of their products to make them recyclable. Today the industry of
The recycling of electronic equipment is gaining relevance in some countries.
developed and in transition. This industry is receiving support from producers
of computers, such as HP and Dell. A recent article in the national press
mention the strategies of manufacturers to recover the equipment and recycle it.

The recycling industry can be profitable. Recycling of equipment

electronics has different levels of complexity: starting from whole parts,
like the still useful electronic mini-components, up to the recovery of
substances and compounds, such as plastics and metals. Many of the elements
mentioned are of high added value, such as gold and palladium. One can even find
gold in the printed circuits of computers: for every ton of equipment
they can extract 100 grams of gold. Still, there is a problem: the extraction costs are
They are so high that recycling in the USA costs 10 times more than sending the discarded equipment.

illegal landfills in China and the processes can be very polluting. In the
Asian countries' recycling corresponds to very soft environmental policies. Such
we'll have to wait for the industry to modify the specifications of its equipment
to use less toxic substances, such as lead or PVC, although that will take some time
time and the old teams will still be there.

What remains for Venezuela? In reality, the current consumption of equipment

electronics (including televisions, radios, and phones) is often much lower than that of
developed countries. But it is not small. In the case of computers, for example,
Recent data suggests an annual consumption of 700 thousand units growing at 2.5%.
year (based on data from CAVEDATOS).

Are we prepared to handle our electronic waste? The policies

national regulations regarding solid waste management and particularly equipment
electronics exists but is not very advanced, and what sometimes seems like measures of
management is actually the result of unfavorable economic factors. For example,
Due to the costs of acquiring new equipment, it is common to try to prolong.
the useful life of the old through reuse, but this is based on necessity more than
in the planning. There is also a waste collection policy, but these
go straight to landfills. Recycling these products is another matter. Because
example, although many call it that, there is not really an industry in Venezuela.
recycling. The so-called recycled ink cartridges are actually reused. Throughout
In this case, recycling is a risky industry and should be viewed with caution.

In conclusion, it is time to start considering the problem and start to

to think systematically about what the strategies should be that we should implement

implement to tackle one of the problems that await us in the future: waste
Electronics is a real threat. What to do at the municipal, regional, and national levels? Which
role at the international level? The growing use of electronic equipment is something imminent and is
better to be prepared for it.

OBJECTIVES

General Objective

• Recycling and reusing computers as a benefit to the environment

Specific Objectives

• Reduce the generation of waste

• Create education programs for the community to establish plans for
reduction of pollution due to waste
• Create as a fundamental computer reassignment program the
development of computer laboratories for the National Program
Training in System.
• Create programs that encourage public and private companies and others.
institutions that donate their discarded equipment in order to equip schools,
high schools and universities at municipal, regional, and national levels

• Reducir la cantidad de compubasura que llega a los vertederos.

 JUSTIFICATION

The disposal of waste presents a formidable challenge due to the

characteristics that this waste has. It has materials that are recyclable and that
they can be recovered, while also having materials that are classified as 'obsolete'
by the regulatory agencies. If the latter were arranged improperly,
they could cause serious environmental problems, and could even threaten health
public. However, the most important aspect is that this resource, if managed
adequately, it could extend the lifespan of these items, managing to obtain some
resources that would otherwise be virtually impossible to obtain due to their
high cost in the market.

Although the issue of how to dispose of the computers is a

Since the late 1980s, a process has not been created.
efficient recycling. Even when the computer is recyclable, there is no place where
can be carried out, nor the infrastructure to provide the equipment. This is reflected in the
attempt by the ICL, the industry responsible for the manufacture of computers in England,
to offer a product that was effectively recyclable. ICL reported in 1993 that its
new personal computers were 95% recyclable, however, neither the industry nor the
the government had the infrastructure prepared to process the equipment that ICL was bringing to them

for recycling (Johnston, 1993). After several studies conducted in countries such as
Germany and France, in which the generation of this type of waste was analyzed, are
he saw the need to create programs to handle it. Among the data obtained, there
it was determined that more than 800,000 were generated in ancient West Germany
annual tons of waste and it continues to increase (Johnston, 1993). According to
a study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University found that in 1995 only discarded
25 million computers and it was projected that by the year 2001 there would be
discarding 150 million computers worldwide. According to many consultants
industrial, 75% of the waste is stored in attics, basements and/or
garages.

Looking for a solution to this arrangement problem, certain organizations

environmentalists have created a recycling structure that reduces waste in the
source and allows what cannot be reduced to be recycled. The effectiveness of this
The recycling structure is almost complete according to the company Summit’s Electronic Recycling.

They claim that they have managed to achieve that only half of 1% of the materials that
processed end up in landfills. This structure of recovery, reduction and
recycling is composed of 4 parts:

• He refused: Uses parts or components from other systems to improve the

own. Create new products using the parts that cannot be used according to the
original design; can create notebooks, folders, and jewelry.

• Reduction: Consider renting or upgrading computers instead of buying

new. Share your own computer and only buy the equipment you need.

• Donation: Donate the equipment to a neighbor, to schools, to charities, or to any other

person or entity that needs it.

• Recycling (de-manufacturing): After disassembling the equipment, the metal, the

plastic and glass are processed to be reused. Do not discard computers
that cannot be repaired or components that are not needed, but rather takes them
to the collection centers. However, it is the most expensive alternative.

Computers are instruments that must be handled differently than others.

materials that are going to be recycled. This is due to their internal composition that consists of

various types of materials, which are also individually recyclable (Gosch, 1992). In the
the majority of computers contain the following materials in similar proportions
to the following:

•Steel and non-ferrous metals 40% to 70%

Cables and wires 1.5% to 6%
Deployment tubes Up to 6%
Thermoplastic materials Up to 20%
Plastic mixtures 1.5% to 6%
Special materials (batteries, among others) 0.3% to 0.5%
 Entre los componentes para los cuales se está pidiendo regulación en su método de
The printed circuits are located in the disposition (‘Printed Circuit Board’). If they are recovered
the metals of the circuits without additional indications, these could be disposed of in the
landfills without applying hazardous waste regulations.

Some of the hazardous substances that could be contaminating our

silent groundwater are lead and PCB; lead is found in
the crystals of the monitors and the PCB in some electrical parts. Due to the presence
many companies dismantle the monitor and send the glass to
furnaces ("Smelters") for their safe final disposal. For this reason, among others,
You must proceed to create specialized programs for the arrangement of equipment in shape.
safe for health and the environment. Environmental regulation has begun to be
aware of it, although there is still work to be done.

In 1994, the first law came into effect that mandated and regulated the disposal and handling of
electronic waste, which was created in Germany. This legislation gave rise to
Directive for the reduction, minimization, and recycling of used materials
electronic and electrical equipment" (Gosch, 1992). Even though in the United States, it has not ...

legislated as in Germany, state-level regulations have been created that, without being
focused on recycling the equipment in its entirety, they begin to emphasize recycling of
cadmium and nickel batteries (Taff, 1992), no regulations have been created in Venezuela regarding
regarding this type of material. In the midst of this general regulation, the alternative of
Management here proposal could be a good starting point.

After all these changes, the industry has started to cooperate in this.
effort through the use of recycled material in the manufacturing of new products.
Among the first companies to follow this trend are IBM and
Hewlett Packard, which began manufacturing its computer models and
peripherals with 25% recycled plastic (Moore, K. 1995). The recycling project of
Hewlett Packard has shown that its type of program can bring savings to the
industries and, at the same time, maintain a high quality in the product. It is estimated that the

the company will use 5% recycled plastic in the initial phases (Moore, K, 1995)
percentage that will increase as the audience becomes more involved in the program.
It is, however, interesting to note the lack of any concrete numerical data.
both regarding the negative and positive aspects of this type of initiative in Puerto
Rico, overlooking the compubasura as the serious management problem that it evidently is.

Then other companies such as AT&T, Digital, and UNISYS created their own
recovery programs. The problem with these programs is their application to the
consumers, since the manufacturer's involvement ends with the sale of the equipment.
Currently, the First International Workshop: North-South Dialogue on experiences of
recycling and refurbishment in conjunction with the Ministry of Science and Technology
incentive a dialogue where topics about recycling experiences were addressed
refurbishment of computers which is an initiative of SUR Corporation
Social Studies and Education (Santiago, Chile), with the support of the International Center
Research for Development (IDRC)/Pan Americas, and the Institute for the
Connectivity in the Americas (ICA), which took place in Santiago, Chile,
December 2005.

This event was part of the activities of the project 'Applied Research on
Computer Recycling
This initiative was aimed at exploring the challenges and opportunities caused by the
excess of equipment (PC) in industrialized nations, its potential shipment as material
obsolete to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the environmental consequences of

regulation and market that this transfer may imply for development of the
Region.

In conclusion the The activity of this socio-technological project is justified in the

purpose as a fundamental axis the computer laboratory equipment and
architecture to the students of the National Training Program for System and
Computer science of the Municipality Alberto Adriani as well as providing equipment for
computing for educational institutions and community service groups, using
machines decommissioned by private companies, public institutions, organizations
from the third sector and individuals. Future professionals are also desired as
Engineering of effective linking system to the community with the technologies of the
information and the possibility of making productive use of it, implies
necessarily the transfer of knowledge through a training process
suitable for the actual characteristics and needs of the users. The development of this
training process, an aspect as important as the provision of the platform
technological equipment, devices, and accessories represents for Vía Tecnológica the
medullary component in the perspective of the success of the different actions. To this end, Vía
Technological develops methodologies and content for teaching - learning of
computer knowledge, highly innovative, tailored to specific needs
of the users - receivers of the equipment.

LIMITATIONS

The possible limitations that will be encountered in order to carry out this project
it will be the awareness of the population in the area of recycling and reuse of equipment, where
The fundamental thing will be that private companies, public entities, and individuals make donations.
the equipment that they don't use.

SCOPE

As the main scope we will have is that we will be able to create laboratories to carry out
practice for students of the National Training Program in Systems and
Informatics, another scope will be directed directly to the communities that
they will benefit from the reuse, such as educational institutions, community councils and
others.