When thinking about recycling used materials, more often than not the three R’s will come to mind. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. How do they relate to items that aren’t just plastic bags, glass bottles, and aluminum cans?
The concept of e-waste is relatively modern when you consider the fact that civilization wasn’t so dependent on computers and cellphones half a century ago. However, it is still just as harmful as any other form of waste, if not more. We’ve compiled some ways on how to reduce your company’s IT waste.
E-waste from used IT assets can lead to security risks and compliance issues if not disposed of properly
Not disposing of IT assets properly can lead to significant security risks and compliance issues. If private information is not wiped from hard drives, tape storage, or servers before they are abandoned, this can cause a major security breach or even worse, identity theft.
Up to 50 tons of E-waste is created every year
50 tons!! That’s equivalent to seven and a half elephants or two thirds of the space shuttle in waste every year! From video game consoles and outdated smartphones, to computer hardware and TV screens, e-waste is accumulating in landfills around the world. In fact, e-waste makes up 70% of the world’s overall toxic waste.
Proper E-waste disposal
Similar to other forms of waste out there, there is a proper way to dispose of IT that’s safer for the environment.
One proper disposal method is to donate what you no longer need and prolong its lifespan above ground for a few more years. This is the Reuse aspect of the recycling trio. IT assets especially have a high reusable life long after their retired or decommissioned.
By partnering with a reputable ITAD firm to dispose of the IT equipment e-waste for you, you can be sure it will be done responsibly and in compliance with federal laws and industry regulations.
Every company uses technology these days, but not every company knows how to properly dispose of IT assets safely and ethically. Raise awareness of the importance of partnering with an ITAD firm by mentioning it at the next office meeting or bringing it up to the head of IT. In the long run, it could really make a difference.
Tips To Reduce Your Company’s IT Waste
It seems like everyone these days want to think of their tech company as being a “green business”. In reality, there could be additional steps they could take to reduce their carbon footprint even more. IT companies are becoming a growing presence in the global economy, meaning their overall influence on the environment is growing.
IT assets such as desktops, laptops, networking servers and switches become outdated over time and eventually need to be replaced. Here are just a few ways your company can reduce your environmental impact through e-waste reduction.
Take care of your equipment
Just because one of your computers has been giving your IT department trouble lately doesn’t mean it’s time to get rid of it. Be sure to take the extra time to properly maintain and update your computer’s systems and drivers. The smaller number of new computers your company needs to purchase, the smaller number of resources you’ll ultimately need to run your business. Another benefit is that it is usually less expensive to maintain equipment than to replace it with new equipment.
Find Efficient Equipment
It’s a no brainer that your company’s old equipment won’t last forever. Eventually, they’ll have to purchase new equipment to replace the outdated models. When that time comes, look for more energy-efficient options. Modern technology tends to be designed with energy consumption in mind.
Handle Computer Disposal Correctly
Not so fun fact: it is estimated that 34% of all electronic waste comes from IT equipment. Now if you remember earlier, we noted that there was 50 tons of e-waste created every year. That would make 17 tons on IT equipment improperly disposed of annually!
Being conscious about how you dispose of IT equipment is important when you’ve decided to retire and decommission your technology assets. One option is on-site services that offer data destruction and e-waste pickups. However, your company will also want to investigate ITAD firms and computer disposal experts to partner with. Keep in mind that nothing can go directly to a landfill, and an ITAD firm ensures that your data is safe, and your IT assets aren’t harming the environment.
As tech companies continue to grow internationally, their overall environmental impact grows too. Fortunately, the right IT asset disposal methods can help keep your IT company green for generations to come.
