Computer take-back and recycling: An economic analysis for used consumer equipment

The exponential evolution of electronic technology is resulting in rapid growth and turnover in personal computer usage. As companies, governments, institutions and consumers increase their use of computers, more computers are also deemed obsolete. The lack of outlets for recycling used computer equipment at end-of-life is spurring broad interest in the economics of computer recycling programs. This paper presents economic data from the San Jose Consumer Computer Collection and Recycling Pilot and compares the Pilot data to economics from alternate electronic equipment management scenarios. The effect on computer recycling economics from the regulation of computer cathode ray tubes is also summarized.