How To Look For Recycling Profits Within Your Computer
Most people understand how important it is to recycle these days, but some want to take the concept as far as they can and try to make some money into the bargain. If you are a true fan of recycling, you may wonder if you can make some cash out of your ageing computer and how much of a challenge it would be to do this job properly. What do you need to know?
Precious Metals inside
There are, indeed, a number of precious metals hidden away within your PC. In fact, any electronic device that has a circuit board will boast some precious metals, but an old and unused computer is a great place to start.
Getting Down to Work
Before you start, remember that you may need to borrow some special equipment from expert vendors to help you with the more intricate process of stripping out metal. You may be able to outsource that work and still make a profit in the end. Prepare to do some rather delicate disassembly if you do decide to go ahead, however.
You will need to begin by removing all the circuit boards from the computer and then separating any wires, plastic clips or screws. You should be able to isolate the individual chips that power the CPU as these are typically soldered onto the circuit boards.
Isolating the Gold
Look closely at the circuit board. Here, you will see that there are a number of gold protrusions, including tiny fingers and plated pins or connectors. You will need a very small and ideally padded set of pliers. Be very careful not to damage these items as you work.
Best Left to the Experts
The process involved in stripping away from the actual gold from the individual components is quite complex and rather daunting. It involves heating acids to turn the gold into a liquid and then an even more finicky process to solidify. This is a multistep process that is best left to a company specialising in that type of activity.
Other Valuables
In the meantime, bear in mind that there are several other precious or valuable metals within your computer case. These include silver, palladium, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminium and tin, to name just a few.
What Is Everything Worth?
Talk with your nearest recycling agent to see how they can help you. You may end up getting more for a stripped-down computer if you can isolate the valuable parts successfully. Contact a metal recycling service to learn more.
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