Salvage Consideration For Computer Removal

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As you get rid of old computers for newer systems, understand that there are a few components that you may be able to use later or send to a more profitable recycling process. The components inside computers are many and complex, but as you consider a few salvaging points, you can have a better idea of what you're getting rid of and maybe a better idea of what exactly you're buying with your new system.

Metal Content In Computer Cases And Components

Computers have less metal per square inch than in recent decades due to new types of users. Many business and personal computers are made with plastic or acrylic to achieve a lightweight, visually appealing design that can be done more easily with more moldable materials.

There is still a respectable amount of metal on the inside of the computer in the form of framework. Either aluminum or steel supports are used to give a protective covering over the components and to act as a rack for many devices. 

You can remove the plastic outer covering by looking for connecting tabs. These tabs are usually hidden for aesthetic purposes, but can be slid off very easily by opening the computer case and looking around the edges. If you're impatient and just ready to scrap the computers, the plastic can be removed by simply ripping off the covers. Be careful and make sure to wear protective covering such as gloves to avoid cutting yourself.

The components have some recyclable materials as well. Some parts may have only trace amounts of recoverable metal, while others are quite valuable in their usual amount inside computers. Take a look at the following components:

• Hard drive. Hard drives with platters (often called IDE or PATA drives) have aluminum casing for protection. While there is quite a bit of aluminum, it's the rare earth magnets that you need to be concerned about. Rare earth magnets are used to secure the reading arms used inside hard drives for reading data from the platters. These magnets fetch a nice price in salvage, but are also sought out specifically by hobbyists.
• Motherboard. Motherboards often use gold or tungsten to transmit data. The gold found inside motherboards is seldom more than a few dollars, but if you're getting rid of computers in bulk or have a lot of motherboards (or other boards, such as video cards or sound cards), turning them in all at once may be worth the trip.
• Heat sink. The heat sink is often made out of aluminum or copper, and can be quite heavy. You can either salvage these for metal scrap or try to sell them to computer builders. Heat sink technology has changed over the years, but for many computer builds, any standard heat sink is a good choice.

Contact a junk removal specialist like BIZ Mechanical Complete Waste Services to assess the computers you have on hand and to do the heavy lifting after you remove what you need.

6 March 2015