Taiwanese Company Gives New Life to Old Computers
2009-11-25 9:42
As the information age welcomes higher processing speeds and flashy designs, hundreds of old computers are phased out on a daily basis in Taiwan.
Super Dragon Technology Ind. is an e-waste recycling company that takes in 18-thousand old computers a month and turns them into gold, literally.
The company specializes in recycling metals on the printed circuit boards of computers.
33-thousand computers produce just over two pounds of gold and more than 25-thousand lbs. of copper. Each PC board has approximately $3 worth of metals.
The plant's aim is to recycle e-waste and minimize the amount of waste that goes into landfills or incinerators.
[Ken Wu, GM, Super Dragon Technology Ind.]:
"Once the components are taken out, it is impossible to see value in the fiberglass and epoxy, so we have to create another opportunity for green economy. It is up to us to create additional value and a new life. This is why we make artistic items.”
After the computers are counted, categorized and taken apart, the boards are crumbled into fine fiberglass pellets, which are in turn molded into finely crafted sculptures.
The sculpture of a pi-xiu or the mythical animal that brings good fortune, is sold for a little more than U.S. $300 dollars a piece.
Wu hopes the value of sculptures will grow as people become more environmentally aware.
[Ken Wu, GM, Super Dragon Technology Ind.]:
“This may become a symbol of industrial advancement. When the industry prospers it also brings side products. Without this industry, these artifacts do not exist, because there would be no electronic waste. We need different ways to let everyone know that these things are worthy of our time and appreciation, but not just evaluating the recycling process based on its cost.”
The fiberglass is also turned into landscaping and construction material, some of which is donated to the local city government.
