The U.N. says we only have 11 years before climate change becomes irreversible. Advancing technologies do a lot to ease the tension in our environment. But improper electronic disposal wreaks havoc.
If electronics aren’t properly disposed of, it impacts the air, water, and the ground itself. Toxins leech into every part of the ecosystem.
On top of that, improperly disposing of your e-waste could cause you to lose your ITAD compliance.
So here’s what you need to know about proper disposal for your e-waste.
Remember to Secure Your Data
Part of POPIA requires you to ensure data on your old devices is completely removed. Wiping the drives once isn’t enough to protect data from data recovery technology. Wipe your drives several times to be safe.
Work with the right e-waste disposal company. They can ensure safe, proper, and effective removal of all your stored data. Then afterward, the data cannot be recovered by a new user.
That way, all you have to do is store the information you need to run your company effectively. This can be done on a USB drive or external hard drive.
Look for a Certified Electronic Recycling Company
Electronics are pretty environmentally taxing themselves. American’s throw out 40 million tons of e-waste annually.
Consider what goes into mining materials for the electronics. Then factor in how much we throw away. That’s a lot of stress to put on the environment.
Toxins from the components in electronics leech into the air, soil, and water. Often, electronics are dumped into third world countries. These areas are already suffering the brunt end of the environmental and waste toll.
Lithium-ion batteries, like the ones in most laptops and phones, are particularly troublesome. Nearly any rechargeable electronic is now made with a lithium-ion battery.
Pulling lithium from the ground wastes water in areas already plagued by drought. And the batteries have an explosive tendency. Remember the Note that would spontaneously explode? That was thanks to a faulty lithium-ion battery.
If one of these batteries explode in a landfill, they can cause fires that will burn for days. This releases even more toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
When you recycle your old IT assets, make sure to work with a company that will ensure safe disposal. This protects our environment and your data.
Document Everything
There’s a lot of legalities surrounding safe e-waste disposal. As we talked about, failure to meet standards can result in losing your ITAD compliance.
And one of the best ways to make sure you’re meeting standards and can prove it is to document everything.
Keep files on the assets you transfer, the companies you work with, and the actions you take. This will prove your e-waste is properly managed.
Proper Disposal Is Good for Your Company and the Environment
Proper disposal of your electronic waste ensures you keep your ITAD compliance. More importantly, it ensures toxic chemicals don’t find their way into our environment.
To properly dispose of your e-waste, find a company that specializes in their safe removal. Get a free quote today.