Hi folks,
I've done a big piece of research on this recently (I wrote a paper on
copper mining, copper use, and copper/electronics recycling). In Roscommon
& Ballaghaderreen recycling areas there are skips for "white goods" put
there by Galway Metal. They will take electronics goods and they will be
"shredded" (there are 2 shredders in the RoI, one in Limerick and one in
Cork). this separates the plastics from the different recoverable
metals. The metals are sent to the continent for recycling as there are
no facilities here. the only "hitch"--theoretically the Ros. Co. Cl.
doesn't "want" us to put eletronics goods in there, though they are
included in their current contract with Galway Metal. The reason--if
people put electronics goods in those skips, they'll fill up faster, have
to be emptied out more often, and thereby cost the County Council more. If
you can sneak them into this skip--same one as for radiators, ovens,
washing machines, etc., I'd encourage you to do it. It doesn't cost
anything to put white goods in this skip.
I've asked the Roscommon Dept. of the Environment to talk to the Senior
County Engineer about their policy, because there are many toxins in
computers and there's little awareness of the potential danger to
groundwater (i.e., our drinking water) if we landfill them. We should all
write the Sr. County Engineer a letter saying this and maybe this could
help bring about a change.
Displays (& microwaves & fridges) are different because they have to be
handled as toxic waste. I don't know where the average consumer should
take their old displays. (Though Electronics Recycling--see below--may do
something with them.) One option--which is what the Co. Cl. staff
suggested, is to take them back to where you bought them; they are now
required to take them back because of new EU directives.
There is a company in Dublin (Electronics Recycling) that takes in all
kinds of electronics goods. They carefully disassemble all the components,
and anything that is in usable condition is used to make second hand
computer systems. They have internet-ready computers for €300. This seems
a bit more environment-friendly to me, as reuse is always better than
recycling, when possible. They also seem very resonsible and have taken a
lot of time to develop a special niche market in terms of both supply and
home-built products. (Anyone know anybody who's bought anything from
them?) They will take any quantities, including a single PC. (If they
have to collect it there's a delivery charge unfortunately, because new EU
rules mean they can only use special transport companies who are
licensed.) (Electronic Recycling Ltd., Finglas, Dublin)
Good luck,
Catherine Ansbro
At 11:04 14/06/2003 -0400, Sarah w wrote:
>My name is Sarah and I have the same queery as Ivan Kelly. How can you
>dispose of old computers, without dumping them in a landfill? Did you
>figure it out Ivan?? Thank you for your help!!
>Yours,
>Sarah
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