In its first year Second Byte IT saved 15 tonnes of equipment from landfill, and recycled 130 computers and 70 printers to grateful schools, charities, community groups and individuals.

Ensured a further 10 tonnes of waste materials recycled or properly disposed of.

The disposal of electronic appliances in landfill sites or through incineration creates a number of environmental problems.

Firstly, considerable amounts of resources would be lost. Although the bulk of these would consist of ferrous metal, plastics and glass, the overall range of different substances is great.

Cathode ray tubes contain many minerals in addition to glass, including zinc, lead, cadmium and phosphor, while circuit boards contain about 25 distinct substances.

The production of these raw materials and the goods made from them entails environmental damage through mining, transport and energy use.
 

The other major problem is the toxic nature of many of the substances, these include arsenic, bromine, cadmium, halogenated flame retardant, HCFCs, lead, mercury and PCBs. Finding suitable landfill sites is also becoming an increasing problem, particularly in the Southeast, where large quantities of electronic waste will be arising.

Every year in the City of London alone, about 2,100 tonnes of IT equipment reaches the end of its working life.

For further information look at the following website www.wastewatch.org.uk