Produced by the Free Range Salvage Server Project, February 2004
email: fraw@gn.apc.org web: http://www.fraw.org.uk/ssp/
Also available as an Acrobat file (for printing) –
click here (247 kilobytes).
When old computers get too old what can you do with all that old junk? One of the
big problems are the cases of computers and other equipment. They're bulky, and
although the steel ones can be sent for recycling, the plastic ones tend to get
landfilled, or worse, incinerated. So here's an idea for re-use.
The Windows-box planter
Ever seen a rockery made from old PC and monitor boxes? It looks fun. But here is
a more productive idea for the space-challenged green-fingered nerd...
a Windows-box.
Picture taken at Tech2, Lancaster, August '02 – courtesy of
Saul
Above you can see the plastic body of an old Apple Mac. This is an indoor use,
propagating bedding plants. But you could fit brackets to the case and attach
it to a window ledge.
Setting up
The best re-use for steel cases is recycling – if you fill them with soil
it will create lots of corrosion, which could contaminate the soil. So this
options is really only for plastic cases – not just PCs, but other big
boxy cases like printers.
Many of the compounds used in computers are toxic. Therefore you have to ensure
that any potentially toxic items, like metals, or parts of circuit boards and
other electrical components, are removed before use. All you really want is the
plastic case with no other contents – other than the screws that fit the
case together.
For old clam-shell type cases you are going to have to cut a hole in the top
for planting. This is messy, and when you are finished you should clear-out
all the saw dust.
Flowers are an obvious thing to grow in these cyber-containers. But you
can plant shallow rooting vegetables – e.g. lettuce, radish, strawberries,
or tomatoes. For more information see Free Range Practice Guide No.5, Grow
Your Own Food –
http://www.fraw.org.uk/pubs/frpg/frpg-05.html
Salvage Server Project 'Junk Ideas' No.4