As if we needed yet another way to proclaim to the world (or at least our family and friends) that we are in fact, geeks to the core.
Just in time for the holidays, Nigel's Eco Store presents Christmas tree ornaments made from recycled CDs and circuit boards. They come in various designs - bells, stars, or Christmas trees. They're kind of pricey ($6-$9), but I think it's worth it. I mean if you're into computers or technology, this is the perfect way to express that love during the holidays (besides of course, giving the gift of technology, but that can get kinda expensive.) Plus, they are made from recycled materials, which supposedly makes them "eco-friendly."
They also make a great gift for that enthusiast in your life that is so hard to shop for. 'Tis the season to be geeky!
via Gizmodo
Comments (19)
THESE ARE NOT RECYCLED
THEY ARE BRAND NEW (MORE GARBAGE)
Posted by me | December 3, 2007 7:00 PM
Posted on December 3, 2007 19:00
Maybe they are factory rejects, which would make them recycled...
Posted by Anonymous | December 4, 2007 8:18 AM
Posted on December 4, 2007 08:18
How do you know they're not recycled? If it's because they don't have parts soldered onto them, it is possible, and quite common to remove the parts before scrapping the board.
Posted by Anonymous | December 4, 2007 7:55 PM
Posted on December 4, 2007 19:55
And what about those higly toxic material those pcb are made of?...well if you call that recycling.
Posted by Leadfree | December 5, 2007 12:59 PM
Posted on December 5, 2007 12:59
If you are worried about toxicity, then do not put it in your mouth like a 3 year old! these are probably unused pcb's and cd's the manufacturers would normally put into a landfill. Many schools do this as an art project. Ornaments out of cd's has been done for years. What other use is there for those old AOL disks we use to get bombarded with?
Posted by Anonymous | December 5, 2007 9:08 PM
Posted on December 5, 2007 21:08
Yeah, Is it safe though? I heard ppl working in certain computer manfacturing has increased risk of cancer. Perhaps they could dip it in non-toxic paint or something.
Posted by ARI | December 5, 2007 9:21 PM
Posted on December 5, 2007 21:21
"How do you know they're not recycled? If it's because they don't have parts soldered onto them, it is possible, and quite common to remove the parts before scrapping the board."
For one, the tree ornament has an ENIG (Electroless nickel immersion gold) finish and solders wet to ENIG pretty permanently. You can't really remove the solder - though the parts come right off under undue stress . . .
Posted by Nerd | December 5, 2007 9:30 PM
Posted on December 5, 2007 21:30
They dont ship to the US. I'm sad.
Posted by John P | December 5, 2007 10:12 PM
Posted on December 5, 2007 22:12
"And what about those higly toxic material those pcb are made of?...well if you call that recycling."
The only "Highly toxic material" that may be in them is lead, but I'm more than sure that they used lead free boards.
You're probably thinking about IC's....
Posted by Mike Currens | December 6, 2007 7:01 PM
Posted on December 6, 2007 19:01
The PCB are mostly likely rejects. They still have the gold plating on them (ENIG), which is consumed during the soldering process.
Posted by Rel Guy | December 6, 2007 10:54 PM
Posted on December 6, 2007 22:54
What.. no hard drive platter snowman? wtf..
Posted by Platterpuss | December 7, 2007 12:02 AM
Posted on December 7, 2007 00:02
Umm have you EVER tried to cut a CD? Even with a advance tools you can't cut a CD without it cracking all the place and bending or warping the material.
I highly doubt these where good products recycled into stuff. More like there is a factory line running to make them into this shapes.
Besides, you can totally melt down and re-make a CD and board, there is no reason to make them like this. Technically every CD and board you buy has some sort of factory defected remelted parts in it. There is no reason NOT to just toss the thing back into the smelter to join the rest.
No these where manufactured this way.
Posted by TotalGarbage | December 7, 2007 12:12 PM
Posted on December 7, 2007 12:12
Leadfree you aren't supposed to eat it.
Posted by Paper Weight | December 7, 2007 2:19 PM
Posted on December 7, 2007 14:19
They prolly get paid to get rid of tech waste. Then they cut it in a christmas tree shape and sell it for 9$. i mean, cmon -.-
Posted by lol | December 9, 2007 7:35 AM
Posted on December 9, 2007 07:35
Yes I agree, not really recycled when they've never been used, you can clearly see copper, not solder. Ya can't get a board back to it's pre-soldered state without going to a lot of trouble. Like getting bread from toast.
Posted by bytmee | December 10, 2007 12:25 AM
Posted on December 10, 2007 00:25
Imagine these negative-never happy guys trying to get breakfast, "let's get sushi, no because it is perishable" lets get mcdonald's no because it is fattening, ok how about a salad "oh no I am not a rabbit" tipycal guy who lives in a basement. What's wrong with recycling-converting into christmas ornaments a cd or circuit board? You guys need to get a life, or stay inside your bubble, never use cellphones cause you might die from cancer, or don't breathe the air because there are so many pollutants, and you might die from a pulmonary dicease.
Posted by Positive Guy | December 10, 2007 10:38 AM
Posted on December 10, 2007 10:38
I agree this stuff has a number of bad things for you and everyone exposed to them such as lead...
-Jeff
Posted by Jeff | December 10, 2007 3:28 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 15:28
Also, my paranoid friends, don't confuse PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) with the compound PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls).
Polychlorinated biphenyls ARE highly toxic, so much so that they are banned.
However PCBs (Printed Circut Boards) are NOT made of PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
That's why you may have fear in the back of your mind.
As mentioned - the worst thing on the boards is the lead from the solder...
An easy error...!
Posted by boingo | December 11, 2007 5:20 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 05:20
"TotalGarbage:
Umm have you EVER tried to cut a CD? Even with a advance tools you can't cut a CD without it cracking all the place and bending or warping the material.
I highly doubt these where good products recycled into stuff. More like there is a factory line running to make them into this shapes.
Besides, you can totally melt down and re-make a CD and board, there is no reason to make them like this. Technically every CD and board you buy has some sort of factory defected remelted parts in it. There is no reason NOT to just toss the thing back into the smelter to join the rest.
No these where manufactured this way."
You can make a stamp like in metal work that will cut right through a CD like butter without breaking it. Maybe you should educate yourself before making moronic statements.
Posted by Youareamoron | December 12, 2007 11:02 AM
Posted on December 12, 2007 11:02