Life Cycle of a Computer - Manufacture and Design, Use and Disposal

Many people are not aware that computers also have a life cycle, from the moment the materials are obtained, to the production of the elements necessary for their construction; the design or assembly of the computer, its use and subsequent disposal.

Due to the importance of contamination from electronic materialsIt is important not only to know the life cycle of a computer; but also detail each of the stages and also make people aware of recycling.

Phases or stages of the life cycle of a computer

The phases or stages of the cycle are those that we mentioned previously, that is, obtaining materials, production of elements and design, use and finally, disposal. Each of them with its own significant characteristics, which we will see below.

Obtaining materials

This process is carried out by those companies or companies dedicated to the area of ​​obtaining materials and the delicate process involved in preparing them for trade.

Later, it is sent to the factories where the elements that will be used in the design of the computer are built, such as processors, motherboard, among others. Since they have materials such as plastic, iron, aluminum, glass, copper and silicon.

Component production and design

The manufacture of the components that will make up the computer will need the materials mentioned above, since for example:

• Copper is normally used as a conductor of electricity, so it is usually used both on the motherboard of the computer, and in its cabling. Besides, also the microchips, integrated circuits and heat sinks are made of this material.
• Silicon for its part is also one of the most important, since it is a semiconductor that supports high temperatures. This is one of the most abundant materials and is also used for computer microchips and integrated circuits.
• Plastics would be the most used materials for the computer, since most of the components use it. Among them, one of the most used is acrinotril-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic.

Normally there is a different company or company for each component, as for example one can be in charge of manufacturing the motherboards; while another manufactures the processors.

After each company is in charge of developing the components, they are sent to the company in charge of assembling and designing the computer. The design itself is averaged over two to three years.

The worrying data found according to a study of this stage of the life cycle of a computer are:

• Engineers and manufacturers are not very aware of the damage of materials in the environment; apart there is no "toxicological counseling" suitable.
• Women who work in the manufacture of components are more likely to miscarry, specifically 40% more than other workers.
• The use of water is one of the weak points of technology companies, since they are among the ones that use the most quantity (more than a trillion gallons in the manufacture of semiconductors annually in the United States) and that in turn need to invest enormously e cleaning polluted oils and waters.

This means that companies dedicated to the technology sector should be aware and find a way not to waste such an important natural resource as water, as well as worry about the damage caused by the materials used on its workers and the environment.

In the same way, the regulators of each country must keep an eye on them, since although technology has been extremely beneficial for humanity, it also has its disadvantages and a way must be found to achieve a balance, since only we have a planet and we must take care of it.

Computer use and design

Once the computer is ready to sell, consumers begin to purchase them from stores and take them to their homes, businesses, businesses or offices. There, the average life span is approximately three years, without taking into account the poorest social sectors and underdeveloped countries, where the period is usually longer.

However, the usage time is relatively short in most cases; which means a greater amount of waste. Obviously, companies need to sell more products from time to time or offer better technologies, but at the rate that we have advanced in recent years we have done great damage to the environment and this could significantly harm us if nothing is done about it.

La electronic scrap It is the final part of the life cycle of a computer, since they end up in landfills, a place where materials wreak havoc on the environment if they are not treated correctly. Since, for example, just burning the metal covering releases a large amount of toxins into the air; while some of the chemicals and substances used in the manufacture of components can leach into the ground and thus reach the groundwater.

We hope that this post has managed to wake up our readers and that they are aware of the danger that the disposal of a computer or any technological device can pose without due process. However, we must all come together to draft laws and regulations that allow us to enjoy technology while caring for the planet.