Clean technology: Gold in them thar computer chips

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According to the report, over the past decade the electronics industry increased its usage of gold from 197 to 320 - primarily in the tiny gold microplated pins of micro chips. But only 15% of the gold in e-waste is being recovered in recycling processes - the majority of it is thrown away.

The report cites Ruediger Kuehr, executive secretary of the Solving the E-Waste Problem Initiative: "One day - likely sooner than later - people will look back on such costly inefficiencies and wonder how we could be so short sighted and wasteful of natural resources."

What to do with yours

Computer Recycling Ltd, an Auckland based company, claims a staggering 99% of received items are kept out of landfills.

Computer Recycling Ltd is currently the only New Zealand owned and operated company that holds two Basel Export Permits: one for general e-waste, which includes all computer and electronic equipment; and the other for CRT glass that comes from old computer monitors and televisions.

www.computerrecycling.co.nz