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year,Apple released the Macbook Air,which has no mercury or arsenic and uses an LED backlight to light up the screen, which uses less energy, Its 100 percent aluminum shell can be recycled just like an aluminum soda can.
"Technology is so necessary nowadays. We just need to be more aware of the options out there," says Bobby Grace, Prairie Village junior and green expert at the Tech Shop."As soon as it is actually engineering and financially possible, the companies are going to do it."
Newer computers help conserve energy, too. Intel introduced its Core Duo II technology, which allows two processors to be packaged on one board, using less materials and less energy.The Core Duo processor was first used in the Macbook Air, but other computer manufacturers have since requested it. Grace says HP even includes prepaid recycling
envelopes with each of its ink cartridges.
Both UNI Computers and the Tech Shop make an effort to help the consumer figure out what's wrong with their computer before they let the consumer buy a new one.
"We're here to do what's best for you," says Chad Frickey, manager of UNI Computers. "We're not trying to sell as many machines as possible."
Frickey says that although most customers don't know about recycling computers, being a drop-off point helps bring in customers.
"Responsible companies get more people through
the door," says Lee of Kansas "E" Recycling, who adds that the drop-off points get free advertising for their recycling program on the City of Lawrence Web site, www.lawrencerecycles.org. The Web site also lists other locations where consumers can recycle specific products.
Robert Brewer, 2007 KU graduate and senior technician at the Tech Shop,says his family got into recycling after he performed in his third-grade musical about recycling."We had a song for each type of recycling with different types of music, even rap," Brewer says. "Electronic recycling was part of it."
My dad may never part with his antique Kaypro II, but at least he's doing what he can to reduce electronic waste.
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In February 2009, all publicly broadcast channels will stop transmitting in analog and switch to digital transmissions. Older CRT TVs that receive free TV using antennas will become obsolete after the switch, unless you buy an analog-to-digital converter to prolong the life of the TV.
"There's going to be a flood of these TVs next year, and no one wants to take responsibility for recycling them," says Brent Lee of Kansas "E" Recycling.
The U.S. government is sponsoring a campaign that gives coupons for converters to consumers. The converters cost $50 to $70, and the coupons cover $40 of the purchase price. As of March 10, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has received almost 4 million applications for converters. Go to www. DTY2009.gov to apply for a coupon.
Consumers who pay for cable or satellite transmissions will not be affected by the switchover. Newer TVs that have built-in digital converters also will not be affected.
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