Toxic timebomb
9:37am Friday 9th January 2004 in News By James Adlam
THE toxic time-bomb' of obsolete computers is being tackled by a new scheme. Maxitech.biz has been set up as a non-profit making company in response to a new law that will make it illegal to dump electronic products that can poison people.
Managing director Peter Paduh said: "That old PC you have stored away in a cupboard is a toxic time-bomb waiting to go off."
E-waste' is the fastest-growing type of waste thrown out by households as the IT industry updates products faster and faster. A new PC is now obsolete in two years and millions of them end up on landfill waste sites each year.
Every computer contains about four pounds of lead and small quantities of deadly cadmium and mercury. Other hazardous materials used in computers include hexavalent chromium, PVC plastic and brominated flame retardants. All of these contribute to the poisonous cocktail of heavy metals found on landfills.
On landfills, PCs are smashed and the hazardous materials will eventually find their way into the water supply. If computers are burned, cancerous dioxins are given off.
Maxitech.biz has various solutions for disposing of old PCs. Recent ones can be given to people who cannot afford new ones, such as Richmond's elderly and poor, or sold to developing countries. If PCs are too old to be reused, Maxitech.biz will pass them on to specialist companies that can dismantle them and recover many materials including small amounts of precious gold, silver and copper.
Maxitech.biz's priority is to reuse as many PCs as possible. Mr Paduh explained: "Reuse means the hazardous materials are not being let loose to do their worst and less new raw materials need to be extracted from the earth to make the next generation of computers and other electronic goods."
The company has premises in Hammersmith and is looking to establish a base in Richmond. Maxitech.biz says it has buyers in the UK and abroad waiting for thousands of computers. PCs and other electronic goods not able to be reused will be dismantled by partner companies. Dangerous materials will be removed safely and valuable parts recovered.
To protect business secrets and personal information, hard disks will be wiped clean.
Maxitech.biz can take computers from individuals, but it is aimed at companies that are updating many computers at the same time. Maxitech.biz will also take other e-waste such as televisions, hi-fi systems, video recorders, DVDs and vending machines. More information from 0870 199 5010 or www.maxitech.biz
