Reuse and Recycling of computers.

Globalization continues to transform forward supply chains. The scope of mining and manufacturing activities has expanded around the globe, accompanied by massive material and monetary flows between nations, which entail profound environmental, economic and social effects. While a degree of consideration has been given to the sustainable management of international forward supply chains, almost no attention has been paid to the globalization of reverse supply chains. A “reverse supply chain” is the network of activities carrying out the reuse, recycling and final disposal of products.
Computers are an important component of the growing volumes of end-of-life electronics, also known as e-waste. Disposal of used computers in the U.S. and other developed countries is increasing. These computers are resold, sent to landfills, recycled domestically or shipped abroad for reuse and recycling6. While precise estimates remain elusive, a significant portion of end-of-life computers go abroad and are recycled by an informal or “backyard” industry. Informal electronics recycling activities have been documented in many parts of the world, including Guiyu and Wenqiao in China, Bangalore, Chennai, Dehli and New Dehli in India, Lagos in Nigeria, and Karachi in Pakistan. These reports indicate serious environmental implications of informal recycling. While computers have valuable recyclable materials they also contain toxic substances of concern. Backyard recycling processes both release these toxics as well as generate new ones. Growth of informal recycling informal reuse/recycling is economically driven because it runs a net profit as opposed to a net cost for recycling in the U.S. Socially, computers are of particular importance vis a vis their enabling role in using Information and Communications Technology (ICT). International used markets help to make inexpensive computers available to lower income people.