Computer Material View essays

Computer Material View essays Impact of Computer - A Material View Computers are probably the best characterization for modern life. For the past twenty years, its popularity has grown tremendously. To meet the demands of competition and technology, the computer industries rapidly develop newer and faster machines to make the old ones obsolete. According to study, a new computers life is only about eighteen months. With the society more focused on environmental protection, it becomes more important to discuss the material impact of computers. Computers typically have heavy metal content like steel, aluminum, lead, etc [2]. For example, computer monitor is mostly comprised of leaded glass and plastic, and the chip on circuit board is made of copper. With the growing production of computers, it becomes more important to think about the effect it has on natural resource. According to a comprehensive resource flow study titled Resource Flow: The Material Basis of Industrial Economies, we use approximately 100,000 pounds to 187,000 pounds of natural resources per person per year. Researchers believe that roughly 14 million to 20 million computers are retired each year in this country, and of those, nearly 75 percent are simply stockpiled somewhere. Only 10 percent to 15 percent are re-used or recycled, and the rest 15 percent end up in landfills. With heavy metal content, computers are considered hazardous waste. So proper disposal methods are necessary to meet the government standards. In this regard, regulations such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) need to be examined for incentives and disincentives to the more cost effective use of materials. But with so many old computers being retired each year, what are more sensible ways to deal with those old computers sitting in the attic? The best way is to get them re-used. We can trade-in old machines to companies like Compaq and IBM, which have asset recovery department. In the...