Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

• How PCs Work
• How Laptops Work
• How Recycling Works
• Is what we're recycling really getting recycled?
• How Landfills Work
• How Computer Memory Works
• How Microprocessors Work
• How Hard Disks Work
• How Greenpeace Works

More Great Links

• Electronics Takeback Coalition
• EarthWorks
• Funding Factory
• Consumer's Guide to Electronics Recycling
• EPA: Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronic Products?

Sources

• Carroll, Chris. "High-Tech Trash." National Geographic. January 2008 (Feb. 25, 2008).
  http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/01/high-tech-trash/carroll-text
• Ferrer, Geraldo and Whybark, D. Clay. "From Garbage to Goods: Successfully Manufacturing Systems and Skills." Business Horizons. Nov./Dec. 2000., Vol. 43, Issue 6, p. 55.
• Gallagher, David F. "Plastic Gold: Recyclers Find Profit in Printer Ink Cartridges." The New York Times. July 18, 2002 (Feb. 22, 2008).
  http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=
  9D06E7D81239F93BA25754C0A9649C8B63
• Lundquist, Pam and McCrandle, P.W. "Control-Alt-Recycle." Grist. Apr. 6, 2004 (Feb. 25, 2008).
  http://www.grist.org/advice/possessions/2004/04/06/
  Lundquist-McRandle-computing/index.html
• Mooallem, Jon. "The Afterlife of Cellphones." The New York Times. Jan. 13, 2008 (Feb. 22, 2008).
  http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=
  980DE1DD1F3CF930A25752C0A96E9C8B63&sec=&spon=&
  amp;pagewanted=print
• "Frequently Asked Questions." Collective Good. Feb. 25, 2008.
  http://www.collectivegood.com/faq.asp
• "Revenge of the Seth." Grist. July 11, 2005 (Feb. 25, 2008).
  http://www.grist.org/comments/interactivist/2005/07/11/heine/index.html