With the move into flat screen devices, low prices and the ever growing market for wider, yet more compact screens, computer monitors are fast becoming one of the most populous forms of E-Waste as new products flow into our homes.

The composition of materials in computer monitors is toxic to the environment.

Materials used within monitors include plastics, glass and metals (most significantly lead), all dangerous when disposed of in landfill, not only for the environment, but for people as well.

Lead accounts for approximately 6% of your old monitor’s composition and only has a 5% recyclable efficiency.

The effects of lead poisoning are well detailed in people but they also affect plants, soil and animals. 40% of lead found in landfills is due to E-Waste including computer monitors.

Whilst cadmium forms less than 0.1% of your computer monitor, when it is disposed of in landfill, the mass amount accumulates.

You may well want to focus on the hard drive and other data capture devices when disposing of your old IT, but don’t cut corners on disposing of old monitors and flat screens, to understand more about what can be recycled in an old monitor contact Secure Data Recycling