Today’s Markets for used PCS—and Ways to Enhance them

The environmental impacts associated with the production and disposal of personal computers are exacerbated by their short lifespan, which increases demand for the production of new units and, ultimately, adds to the number of computers destined for landfills or recycling centers. Extending the lifespans of computers should therefore be a priority in their environmental management. One important and practical way to do this is by encouraging markets for used personal computers (PCs). Computers are normally disposed of long before they break down or wear out; rather, the user wants a new machine with better performance and new functions. Not all users require high performance, however; the most popular applications of PCs (e-mail, Internet, office software) often work just as well on older machines. Despite falling prices in recent years, PCs remain an expensive item; thus, presuming it can meet their computing needs, many users will find the lower price of a used machine attractive.