CompTIA A+® Certification All-In-One For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

3.5. Disposing of Components

When you replace an old part from a computer, you have a responsibility to dispose of the old part properly. You are not permitted to dump certain computer components in a landfill because they are hazardous to the environment. For example, the chemicals in a battery could leak into the water supply and contaminate the drinking water. In this section, you find out how to dispose of certain computer components that can be dangerous to the environment.

Federal and local laws regulate the disposal of hazardous materials; if you break these laws, you could be fined. If you're unsure how to dispose of a certain component, contact your state or province environment regulator office to find out how to appropriately dispose of it.

You can also contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proper procedures and guidelines on how to safely dispose of computer components. These guidelines are also published on the EPA Web page at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/index.htm.

3.5.1. Batteries

Because batteries contain metals that are environmentally harmful (such as nickel and cadmium), federal, state, and local laws prevent people from dumping their batteries in trashcans and throwing them to the curb destined for a landfill. The federal government passed the Battery Act in 1996 to ensure that the public properly disposes of rechargeable batteries and batteries that contain mercury. You can find information about the Battery ...