Aren't the only "hazardous" materials in the CRT display and the batteries? I suppose the newer displays might have hazardous material too, but it seems ridiculous to call the entire computer HAZMAT....unless you want an excuse to increase the disposal tax.
No, there's lead on the circuit boards (from the solder joints), although many manufacturers have moved to low lead content solder. And most companies have gotten away from "non-green" toxic board cleaners as well. Still, there's a fair amount of "toxic" material in a computer. Far less than there used to be, but still...
Anything for a new tax.
Mark
It depends on the manufacturer. But most LCD-based systems these day have very little, if any, "hazardous" materials. Lead is pretty much gone from consumer PCs, even from the motherboards, and the plastics are mostly free of some nasty chemicals formerly used. Mercury will drop to nothing when LED-based LCDs take over the market (there's trace mercury in the backlighting now).
Of course the question is, if you donate your three-year-old PC to the local library or school (a government institution), do you get your money back? Didn't think so.