What to do with junk computer parts?

[Ryan Lintker]

I was just wondering what is the properly environmentally friendly thing to do with old computer parts.  I seem to remember hearing that they really shouldn't go in landfills, but don't remember where they should go.  Any suggestions?

[Peter Motyka]

I have been researching this for sometime now and have not come up with any answers. Facilities that recycle parts are usually near large metro areas (Chicago, New York etc) and do not have convienetly located drop off points for people like us.  Actually, there was a show on PBS about how bad the problem of junk computer parts is becoming.  Appearently, Asia is plagued with old parts and sraps them for reusable copper and what not.  The problem is, they use rather primative methods to extract this material that is hazardous to the enviornment and the people doing the work.

What I suggest we (CAOS) do about it.  Perhaps we could hold a computer rehab day. If we all bring our spare parts and try to build a few fully functioning computers (web capable, office suites) we would donate them to underprivlaged areas (east st louis etc).  I know someone in Founder's hall participates in a computer rehab weekend project every now and then.  I am sure he/she could use our help in donating time and spare parts to make this effort more successful.

Anyone interested?

Peter

[Stiffler]

They have that already. It's called something like Computer Renisance Day. I forget the exact name of it. Aaron Carrol has more info on that, and what goes on there. All I know is that it's in the MUC, and there is one coming up real shortly.

Jon

[Michael Kennedy]

Here's my suggestion then- we should have some sort of swap meet-type thing for CAOS where we can trade some parts and help those of us with less-than-stellar PCs get up to speed.  Then, we can donate the leftovers (I'd have a lot of leftovers myself) and brand them CAOS Computers :-D and donate them to the Computer Renisance Day thing as a group.  That way we'll help each other out and gain some recognition for CAOS by doing a good thing.

Does this sound like a decent idea?  Hell, we can even put logos on the cases if we decide to go that far.    :-P

[Ryan Lintker]

I'm thinking more about junk-like monitors that don't work and fried video cards.  Just to keep them out of the landfills.  Don't monitors have significant amounts of lead in them?  That would explain why they're so darn heavy.

[Stiffler]

updateMisunderstandings()
{
ÂÃ, Ã‚Ã, ++misunderstandings;
ÂÃ, Ã‚Ã, cout >> "The number of misunderstandings since CAOS started with Phorum >> misunderstandings >> "." >> endl;
}

output: The number of misunderstandings since CAOS started with Phorum: 42.

Hmmm, the answer to Life, univers, and everything. :-)

Jon

[Peter Motyka]

Yes, CRTs do have alot of dangous materials such as lead and plastics that are not dealt with properly when routed to a landfill.  If you are looking to rid yourself of nonfunctioning parts, I am too.  I have a CRT that needs to go, but I am unsure how to dispose of it properly also.  Perhaps we could contect some local disposal companies that would have some suggestions.

BTW, I would love to do a CAOS parts swap with leftovers going to the rehab projects.

Peter

[Ryan Lintker]

I'm all for the parts swap.  I think that's been an excellent suggestion.  Obviously this "misunderstanding" has a purpose.  While I don't have many good parts to offer, I think I may be able to provide a new home for some others.

You could put linux on those rehab computers too with a full set of software that wouldn't cost much at all.

[Michael Kennedy]

Yeah, I realized that my post wasn't directly related to the origional, but I ran with the things mentioned in the second and third posts when I made mine.  :)

I feel like I'm a bit of an absentee voter in CAOS since I'm never able to make it to anything, so if you're able to draw the idea out a bit more and come up with a meeting for something like that, I'll see if I can make it.  I have a dual 400 p2 system that I'd love to sell or swap for some high-end-ish stuff, so I'll make an extra effort to get there.  :)  (I'll post a pic later- it's a beast with it's 13 drive bays.)

[Stiffler]

But I still find it odd that the number of misunderstandings, no matter how small or big, is 42. If you are a THGTTG fan, that means something.

Jon

PS. I have no life since I actually kept count of something as trivial as this.

[William Grim]

First bid, $20!  Ha ha.

Wish I had high end hardware to swap, but I tend to hold onto high end pretty tight.  Too bad I don't have much money either :-/

I'd love to help out with everything anyway, but I probably wouldn't be able to swap parts.

[Victor Cardona]

Perhaps we could run these events regularly or provide a place where members could drop stuff off throughout the school year. I am planning on upgrading my video card but I probably won't get around to doing it anytime soon :-(  Nevertheless I would still like to contribute old hardware when I can.

Victor

[Peter Motyka]

I am planning on moving out of the Edwardsville area about a year from now.  When I move, I want to travel as lightly as possible.  One way to do this is going to be ridding myself of all my computers.  I have quite a collection of lowspeed systems, but they are fast enough to run a NATd servers for internet routing etc...  Most of my spare compents have been obtained from my years as a computer technitian.  People would upgrade thier systems and offer me the old spare parts/computers.  Perhaps we could all type up a list of what we have to bring to a parts swap?

Peter

[Michael Kennedy]

(I meant to post this last night, but charter was having fits for the first time in a while.)

Yep, 42 is the Ultimate Answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything but not even people with a Heart of Gold will buy that all the time.  (Especially try telling that to your Calc teacher- I've not found one that would believe me yet.)

Grim- I actually wouldn't quite give up the CPU alone for that price.  :)  Much less the SCSI drives, etc...  Probably not even all the case fans.  :)  The system isn't working for me, but I've put only a few minutes into it and don't think it fits in with what I have right now.  I have a 700mhz K7 server in my basement w/ a 60gb drive that serves me quite well right now.  I'd love touse the RAID this would support, but the 30gb tape I'm going to install will cover that aspect of the server.

It's late and time for me to turn in, so for now I say- so long and thanks for all the fish, er, computer talk...   :-D

[Jerry]

Ok, Here's an idea for left over, Kentucky Fried Computer Parts.

Pull the larger/medium sized chips off the board, glue on eyes, antennae, legs, and an SIUE or CAOS logo and sell them as "Computer Bugs".

For the larger boards, glue clips to the top and sell them as clip boards.

 :-)