Japan Introduces Consumer-Paid Computer Recycling

Azuma writes "According to the Japan Times, starting Wednesday, new Japanese legislation takes effect that compels personal computer manufacturers to collect used PCs from households and recycle their parts, with consumers footing the bill, which will total anywhere from 3,000 yen ($28) to 4,000 yen ($37). So from today onwards, if you buy a new computer in Japan, your new computer should have a new logo besides commercial ones such as Intel Inside... 'Recycling Fee Prepaid'."

Comments

Re:Bad idea

[kfg]

Indeed, and it stifles the economy in years down the road as well when all those jobs are lost to cleaning up the enviromental impact of improperly disposed of waste.

In this light we suddenly realize what a boon the terrorists provided for the international community by devestating the World Trade Center.

I can see the bumper stickers on the future cars of the building industry:

"Support the economy, support arson."

Some jobs, as it happens, while a personal boon to the job holder represent a loss of wealth. That is why you will see natural disasters couched in such terms, rather than being reported as a gain to certain individuals and industries. Man made disasters are just as much loss and natural ones.

You may not, of course, see it this way, but I'd hazard a guess you'd change your mind if someone stole and wrecked your car (stimulating the auto industry and creating jobs) or dumped a ton and a half of trash in your living room (stimulating the waste disposal industry).

You just miiiiiight see that as an overall loss of wealth.

KFG

Re:recycle? re-use is better

[evilviper]

It's good to re-use products, but that only works for so long. It was just a while back that I upgraded my firewall from a 386 to a pentium system.

Do you want the 386? Do you think anyone else does? Obviously, products reach the end of their usable life, and all products eventually need to be recycled. It's good that Japan has a program in-place, and there should have been such a program in the USA for the past 20 years.

(plus one more I bought new, I'll never do that again).

There are plenty of reasons to buy new products. Warranties and reliability come to mind. Also, there is the issue of effeciency. Despite what people may believe, for the performance of modern computers, they are many times more effecient than older computers. Buying older systems can very likely cost you loads more on your electric bill. Then there's always the people that need good performance, not older systems that are just good enough to browse the web.