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COMPUTER CABLES:
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is soft plastic used in cables and wires. When burned, dioxin can be formed. Dioxin is a persistent, bioaccumulative compound, and considered one of the most toxic manmade substances.
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COMPUTER COMPONENTS:
Computer components and toner from printing cartridges can contain copper, silica, aluminum, iron, germanium, gallium, tin, barium, nickel, zinc, tantalum, indium, vanadium, terbium, beryllium, europium, titanium, ruthenium, cobalt, palladium, manganese, antinomy, bismuth, chromium, cadmium, selenium, niobium, yttrium, rhodium, platinum, arsenic, gold and silver.
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In the U.S. alone, an estimated 30 million computers are thrown out each year and only 14% are recycled.
Landfilling or incineration is not the solution.Even the best dumpsites may leak. Toxins like lead, cadmium and mercury may leak into the water table. Vapors are free to travel through the air and fires will release even more toxic gases. Burning produces killer gases and releases toxins, including dioxin.
Recycling is the best method of handling these unwanted electronics. It will cost to recycle these products, because it is difficult to extract the usable metals, but it is the best thing to do - for your community, for the environment and ultimately for the health of your family and you.
The cost of recycling is minor compared to the cost of clean up if electronics are landfilled or incinerated.
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