Whats the main issue about the disposal of obsolete computer systems that people need to know about?
Public health. The lead from these things can leak into water systems, and the long-term implications obviously aren’t healthy. Here in Toronto, the big dump we have is closing within a year. They’re looking for mines way up north. But right now, they’re dumping in Michigan. Is there sufficient public awareness about the issue? It’s only become an issue in the last 20 years–what do you do when there are toxic materials like monitors or CPUs with lead that shouldn’t be in landfill? Every monitor has four to six pounds of lead. And it’s mixed with phosphorous to protect users from radiation. And municipalities don’t want that stuff anywhere near them? The problem is that when you break that up, it can get into landfill and water. There’s already been certain legislation in the U.S.–and there will be in Canada–on where you can put it. But when there is no more landfill, the question is, “What do you do with this stuff?” Have there been any instances where poisons or toxic elements rela
