An average PC contains plastic (23%), ferrous metals (32%), non-ferrous metals (18%), electronic boards (12%) and glass (15%). This complex mixture makes the average PC very hard to recycle.

However that should not mean we simply bury our heads and send the redundant equipment overseas.

Most of the above products can and are Recycled by companies such as Secure Data Recycling and where possible old machines are refurbished and resold.

It is still a fact that only 20% of the IT disposed of in the UK is recycled, much still goes to landfill or is stockpiled or sent abroad.

I guess one of the issues is that companies no longer need the PC and don’t want to pay to have it recycled.  Our view at Secure Data Recycling is that as a company or organisation you have the responsibility for the PC, including disposal and data management issues, from the day you purchase it to the day it is recycled.

When you buy a PC for £1000, the true cost perhaps should be £1050 or whatever the figure is needed to recycle the PC at the end of its useful life.

However much it is going to cost, it is your responsibility to dispose of your IT and to do that in a professional and secure way you need to contact experts such as Secure Data Recycling.