Don't Haul Computers To The Trash Without Recovering Parts
Posted on: 16 January 2015
Computers have a lot of valuable materials inside. Whether you're looking for raw materials to scrap or melt into another form or just trying to salvage components for another computer, you'll need to understand the value and modern relevance of each part. Consider a few recyclable components before passing an entire department of computers to a trash hauler.
Follow Part Standards For Rebuilding Computers
If you're getting rid of an old computer, you'll need to know which components can be useful for your next computer. Unless you know the standards, you could be throwing away a highly valuable part or trying to use decade old materials in a new computer that may not be worth the effort.
The part may be useful even if your next computer doesn't support it. If the part is working and no more than 5 years old, consider keeping it around in case a friend or relative needs a replacement, or if you decide to buy or build a computer with that part in mind.
Hard Drives Are Perishable
Hard drives are one of the most important parts of modern computers. They store all of the movies, songs and documents that users need as well as the operating systems that people work on. Unfortunately, hard drives can fail more quickly than some components.
Hard drives are either worn out by a magnetic reading head or damaged as small cells are electrically changed from position 1 to position 0. It's rare to find a hard drive performing perfectly for more than 5 years, but if you have information that is important or would like to use the hard drive to the end of life, it isn't a terrible idea--just avoid using it for mission-critical purposes.
Hard drives are often stored inside aluminum cases. Within the hard drive is a series of metals such as copper and steel, but there are also rare earth magnets that are quite valuable. The platters are unfortunately made out of glass or other silicon composites.
Memory Modules Are Easy To Store
Random Access Memory or RAM is a place where information is stored for quick access. Instead of searching the entire hard drive for the same information millions of times per second, the memory stores commonly used information to be picked up by the processor.
Memory usually follows the Double Data Rate (DDR) standard, followed by a number. DDR3 and DDR4 are current modern standards, and you'll need to know what your next motherboard supports. As DDR memory is relatively small and easy to store, you can put old modules in a box for later use.
Many memory modules use gold, tin or tungsten contacts. The amount may not be worth spending fuel to scrap at a recycling center, but amassing enough memory modules along with other computer components is a relatively easy task if you work for or contact businesses in the middle of a computer upgrade move.
For help with recycling specific parts or the entire computer, contact a trash hauling service for recycling centers. To learn more, contact a company like Waconia Roll-Off Service with any questions you have.
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