tkt8763-01: Technology Trash costs $$$

["Larry S. Anderson -- NCTP" <lsa1@ra.msstate.edu>]

You might find this very interesting...and worth considering as you ponder
the entire technology implementation picture.

--"Dr. A"
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 16:38:10 -0700
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INFORMATION AGE BYPRODUCT: A GROWING TRAIL OF TOXIC TRASH
Millions of computers that have outlived their usefulness will be
thrown away this year, and most of these will be improperly
discarded, posing a risk of contamination from hazardous
materials such as mercury and lead.  About 24 million computers
will be thrown out this year, and only 14 percent will be
recycled or properly discarded.  In addition, the average
lifespan of a computer is expected to decrease to only two years
by 2005, as computing power grows rapidly, meaning more outdated
systems will be discarded.  Government officials and
environmentalists are concerned that mercury, lead, and other
dangerous materials in regular landfills could leak into the soil
and water.  The problem could lead to 1 billion pounds
of lead in the U.S. waste stream over the next 10 years, says
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition executive director Ted Smith.  In
addition to environmental issues, disposing of each pound of
computer waste costs about 50 cents, and an average machine
weighs about 40 pounds.  The total expense of computer disposal
over the next 10 years could be as much as hundreds of millions
of dollars.  (Christian Science Monitor 11/16/99)

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