Recycling Computers and Notebooks: What is Reused

Introduction to Computer and Notebook Recycling

The recycling of computers and notebooks is an essential process for proper environmental management, aimed at reusing components and reducing the impact of electronic waste. The correct disposal of this equipment is based on the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12.305/2010), which establishes guidelines for the management of electronic waste, guaranteeing sustainability and safety.

Components Reused in Recycling

Electronic equipment, such as computers and notebooks, have various materials that can be recovered and reused. These include:

• Motherboards and electronic circuits: They contain precious metals such as gold, silver, copper and palladium, which are extracted for industrial reuse.
• Ferrous and non-ferrous metals: The metal structure and internal parts can be recycled for the production of new metal items.
• Plastics: External casings and plastic components are reused after separation and treatment processes, contributing to the circular economy.
• Batteries: These are critical elements for the environment and should be sent for specialized recycling due to their toxic potential and the value of the metals present, such as lithium and cobalt.

Data Security Care

Given the sensitivity of the information stored, the safe disposal of storage media, such as hard drives (HDDs), SSD drives and other devices, is essential. Sanitization procedures ensure that the data is unrecoverable, in accordance with the best information security practices. For scheduling and proper procedures, we recommend using services that specialize in hard drive sanitization.

Final Disposal and Collection of Electronic Waste

The proper collection of obsolete or unusable equipment must follow current regulations, promoting the correct sorting, reuse and disposal of waste that cannot be recycled. To facilitate logistics, there are electronic waste collection services that ensure compliance with the environmental standards defined in the National Solid Waste Management Information System (SINIR), as set out in Law 12.305/2010.

Applicable Legislation and Standards

In addition to Law 12.305/2010, other regulations guide the recycling and treatment of electronic waste, including resolutions from the National Environment Council (CONAMA). Legal compliance is essential for mitigating environmental risks and meeting environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria.

Conclusion

The reuse of materials present in computers and notebooks is an indispensable practice for sustainability and environmental safety. The correct segregation, collection and treatment of components ensures the efficient reuse of metals, plastics and other inputs, reducing environmental impact and promoting the circular economy.