[Fwd: value of scrap] - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

30 Oct 2001

...
  As soon as one has no choice but to send stuff to
scrap
 merchants, they then tend to start charging for taking it
 away instead of paying for it. 

  That might not happen with circuit boards though. What's
being recovered is Gold, Palladium, Tantalum, maybe some silver,
among other materials. And the competition amongst recyclers
to be the one to be able to service this ought to keep them
willing to pay for the raw materials. But break your equipment
down, so you're just turning in the circuit boards. And if you
separate the low yield PC grade ones from the high yield
commercial grade ones, you still might do all right with them.

...

 Here in the UK that might change soon.  It is about to become illegal to send
 electronic waste to landfill so it _must_ be recycled.  As soon as one has no
 choice but to send stuff to scrap merchants, they then tend to start charging
 for taking it away instead of paying for it.

 I have already seen the same happen with lead-acid batteries and old fridges,
 to name but two examples,  when the legislation came in stopping them being
 disposed of by other means than sending them for scrap.

 --
 Regards
 Pete 