Computer Monitors and You
Today as I sat on the green line train, we passed a wet marshy area where I have seen many beavers, wild birds and even some deer taking a drink in the past. What I saw today was that someone had actually dumped their computer monitor right there on the edge. I couldn’t believe it. Someone had actually gone out of their way to dump it, instead of taking the time to drop it off at a facility that could reuse or recycle it.
Computer monitors can hold a lot of hazardous materials that people don’t really know about. Toxic materials in computers can include, but are not limited to, lead, lead oxide, barium, cadmium and mercury. From what I understand, when these elements are contained, they don’t pose much of a hazard, but when the computer monitor starts to break down, or is in pieces, it can pose a real threat to the environment. The leaching of these toxins can contaminate our water supply, kill off the flora and fauna of the surrounding areas, and can even directly effect our health.
Computer monitors can be recycled. There are different companies, organizations and recycling centers that will take in computer monitors and equipment that will either salvage the components or fix them up to be reused. There are local trash services that may even do curb side pickup…all you have to do is call and ask.
So, the next time you or someone you know has an old computer monitor, please, think about where it’s going and take the time to make an environmentally sound decision.
August 7th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
Where can I go to recycle my monitor? I have a Weber Grill that has rusted out. Do you know where/how I can get this recycled? I live in Montgomery County.
August 8th, 2006 at 11:31 am
I dunno if MOM’s has any special connections, but you can drop them off at the Shady Grove Solid Waste Station. There’s more information here.
August 8th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
So for Montgomery County, Joy is right, you can take both the monitor and the grill to the Shady Grove Solid Waste Station for free. For the grill, though, you might want to consider cleaning it up a bit and “recycling” it through Craig’s List or Freecycle. There are also a few local charities looking for used computers - there is a great list at charitable choices.
October 27th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
LCD monitors are the de factor standard these days because they do not consume too much electricity,,~