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In the early days of computer recycling (or e-scrap recycling as it is called within the industry) the model was simple. Computer recyclers, who were often junk or solid waste companies that looked at computers as just another revenue stream, charged clients for the pickup of their used computers and e-scrap materials. Usually, the waste management company then just put the material in an overseas container and shipped it overseas to China or other developing nations. This wasn't really negligence; the waste companies just did not know what was happening to the material. And it was a great deal for them - you could charge to pick the material up, and get money from it downstream.
This was the model for the first few years - however, it quickly came to public awareness that the material shipped overseas was not being recycled in a responsible fashion - it was being smelted and processed in countries with nothing like America's EPA and with no concern for the environment.
This the end of - Computer recycling