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Aperron t1_j6own56 wrote

Recovering some raw materials from a usable item is not recycling. How hard is that to understand. Recycling when conducted properly has a primary goal of salvage and return to use for the original intended purpose of an item. Recovery of raw material is the absolute worst case last resort in recycling.

Shredding up a bunch of 5 year old computers that are the product of a considerable amount of human labor, energy, raw materials and transportation activities when they still have years of serviceable life remaining is not recycling, and it is not sustainable. Full stop.

Any circumstances making that a common outcome need to be challenged and mitigated. Both on the part of manufacturers and the original end users or purchasing institutions.

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