Responsible e-waste disposal can:
- Prevent data from falling into the wrong hands.
- Free up storage space at your business location.
- Provide tax deductions for your business (if you donate to charity).
- Improve your image as a good corporate citizen.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
If your computer is working, pay it forward
Your working computers and monitors may still have life in them. You can give them away or sell them to someone or to an organization that can really use them. Some charities will even come and pick up your used computer equipment.I recommend: To give away your computer, try Freecycle, a service that allows you to give items to your local community, or list it as a freebie on Craigslist. Techsoup can link donors with nonprofit recipients. Ebay also has tools for selling and trading in computers.
Find a compliant local recycler
Although federal law mandates guidelines for e-waste, your state laws may differ. For example, California's landmark Electronic Waste Recycling Act made it illegal to dump computer monitors and computer equipment containing hazardous materials in public landfills and imposed a fee at the time of sale. Always ask the recycler if they are conforming to state and federal laws. Find out where your e-waste is going and how it is going to be handled. The value of your computer is in the heavy metals; unscrupulous recyclers may sell the computers to traders who ship them to third-world countries with no environmental laws to protect workers or the environment.I recommend: Take your e-waste to Basel Action Network’s Responsible E-Stewards and E-cyclers. If you can’t find a local responsible recycler there, click on your state at the Consumer Education Initiative (CEI) Web site. More information about your state environmental protection agency is available from the Environmental Protection Agency’s state listings.
Erase your data
U.S. corporations must comply with a variety of laws and regulations regarding the removal of data from computers they donate, recycle or dispose of. There are several software programs that will erase data from your hard drive. Note that some people believe that if hackers really want to get a hold of your data, they will be able to access it even if you use data-erasing software.I recommend: Use a data eraser program such as Active@ Kill Disk, BCWipe, WipeDrive, Disk Wiper, Eraser Pro or Drive Scrubber.
Destroy hard drives that have top secret or sensitive data
Prevent confidential data from falling into the wrong hands by having your hard drives destroyed. Make sure you choose a data destruction service that's certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) so you can be confident that all the data has been destroyed.I recommend: Use the search engine at the NAID We site to find a Data Destruction Certified Operator near you. Make sure that they provide clear data destruction policies such as E-Cycle Environmental.
Choose merchants who provide recycling programs
Facilitate removal of your old equipment by purchasing computer equipment from vendors who offer recycling services.I recommend: When you buy a new Dell desktop or notebook and select the free recycling option at the time of purchase, Dell will recycle your old PC and monitor at no cost to you (even if it isn't a Dell-branded product.) Dell also recycles all Dell-Branded products for free. HP offers free and low-cost recycling programs. Apple offers a free recycling program of old computers and monitors with the purchase of a new Mac. Best Buy offers recycling events.
Recycle printer supplies, too
Did you know that three to four quarts of oil are used to make a toner cartridge? And half a gallon is used to make an inkjet cartridge? Environmentally conscious companies can reduce waste by recycling printer supplies. Many manufacturers and office supply retailers offer recycling programs that make it easy for small businesses to recycle.I recommend: HP and Dell both offer recycling programs for printer supplies. Office Depot collects printer cartridges and supports PTAs with free boxes and gift cards for collecting cartridges. Toner Cartridge Depot will send you a box for cartridges and either send you a check or donate the proceeds to the March of Dimes. Sell your laser toner cartridges to Toner Buyer.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Evaluate recycling programs not by price but by environmental standards.
- Don't ever dump monitors or computers.
- Don't buy computer equipment that you don't really need.
- Don't wait to recycle. Recycle now. About 72% of all retired electronic products are stored for an average of three years. Resale value will be lost, while needlessly occupying valuable storage space.
the Computer Liquidators page at Business.com
Computer Recycling
Secure computer recycling and IT Asset Recovery services with on-site data destruction plus on-site packing and shipping nationwide.
www.computerrecyclingusa.com
Secure computer recycling and IT Asset Recovery services with on-site data destruction plus on-site packing and shipping nationwide.
www.computerrecyclingusa.com
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