Step Forward In Computer Recycling

Step Forward In Computer Recycling

Local Companies Take An Important Step Forward In Computer Recycling 27th September 2007 Three local Companies have solved the problem of hazardous waste in the disposal of old televisions and Computer Monitors.

In true Kiwi do it yourself style, local Auckland companies RCN & Associates Ltd; the Abilities Group and Rose Engineering have teamed up to develop a process, and have locally designed and built equipment for the environmental disposal of end of life computer monitors and TVs.

It has been estimated that there are ten million cathode ray tubes currently in use or stored awaiting a disposal option in New Zealand. Kevin Ruscoe General Manager of RCN said, “Our company has been a pioneer in the disposal of e-waste (electronic waste). In looking for a solution for environmental disposal of these cathode ray tubes we checked out all the refineries in Asia and decided none could be trusted with CRT glass. The problem with CRT Glass is that it is full of lead and, once in the ground, has the potential to leach into the water supply, endangering our environment. It was clear to us that we needed a local solution.”

RCN & Associates Ltd is the Global Remarketing partner for IBM in New Zealand and provides remarketing & environmental e-waste solutions. Peter Fraher Managing Director of Abilities Group came on board and has set up the process of disassembly. He comments, “Abilities is an Incorporated Society providing employment for people with disabilities. It has certainly been a challenge to establish a viable recycling solution, however it has now simply become an extension of the significant recycling efforts already undertaken by the Abilities Group.”

John Rose of Rose Engineering Ltd has designed and now has a functional Mark 1 version of a machine that will divide lead bearing glass from the rest of the glass in the tubes. This was a difficult step as it involved research and development to get this process right. John Rose has also designed a mechanical process to remove the steel band which was otherwise a difficult manual operation. Rose Engineering Ltd is an innovative engineering business, established in 1970, that produces high quality air cargo handling systems, material handling scissor lifts and conveyor systems, precision engineering, CNC machining, and general engineering. The Company is equipped to undertake one-off production work. For example, Rose Engineering Ltd has designed and manufactured a car crushing machine. This is another contribution to the recycling and reuse business this engineering company is generating.

Millions of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) exist in New Zealand as they make up the display device in most computers and televisions. They contain within them many toxic materials as well as the lead such as barium, cadmium, mercury and arsenic.

During the Cathode Ray Tube Disposal Process all the partners play a part. The Monitors or TVs are dismantled and broken down into its component parts by the Abilities Group. This results in plastic, copper,.Global Remarketing / eWaste / Data Destruction / Asset Recovery aluminum and steel all being recycled. The printed circuit boards are further processed environmentally at an ISO Certified Disposal Centre which deals with dangerous wastes environmentally. The tube then goes through a number of processes including the separation of the lead bearing glass. This glass is consolidated and exported to a lead smelter and used as flux in the smelting of lead. Jo Knight of the Zero Waste New Zealand Trust, who was responsible for bringing the Rose Engineering and RCN partnership together, says:

“These three companies are to be congratulated for putting investment into developing a solution which will help recycle these toxic elements held within the cathode ray tubes and helping to bring New Zealanders a step closer to dealing responsibly with our electronic waste.”

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