Don't Throw Your Old Computer Away

Just like cell phones, most of us purchase a different computer every few years. For the last decade, the majority of old computers got thrown away. Not recycled, not donated but thrown in the trash, straight to the city landfill. San Diego is at the forefront of changing that process with the computer recycle center ran by SES Recycling.

What is a computer recycling center?

While most recycling centers accept computers, not all of them actually recycle them. Often times they are repaired and/or used for parts and then re-sold on the open market. Even the parts that can’t be used for anything else aren’t recycled.

Recycling computers – desktops and laptops – is difficult and more expensive than other goods traditionally recycled (such as plastic). Without capital and commitment, it can be nearly impossible to be an e-waste recycler. That is evident not just by private recyclers closing down but also government run agencies!

SES has a specialized computer recycling center that isn’t going anywhere. The cornerstone of the company, the San Diego computer recycling center offers services for customers of all size: from individual households to some of the largest corporations in the world. Items can be dropped off or picked up. Hard drives can be wiped and destroyed on the spot. The only thing taken more seriously than recycling at SES is security.

Does San Diego benefit?

The benefit of electronic recycling is replicated throughout the community many times over. On a basic level, the increase use of recycled goods means the less fossil fuels that were used. That is a huge benefit to the environment, as fossil fuels won’t lead us into the next century.

The City of San Diego also has a huge benefit amounting to hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of dollars due to saved space at the landfill. The less space used, the longer the lifetime of the landfill, thus saving large amount of money.

Computer Recycling in San Diego

In addition, the encouragement of recycling has shown an increase in consumer spending. That makes sense, as when new computers are purchased the old ones are gotten rid of. That consumer spending creates more tax dollars for the city and more revenue for local businesses, which means jobs for locals. The same applies to the recycling center itself, which employs large amounts of people in the area for safe, high-paying jobs.