If your company is about to undergo a huge overhaul of old computers, or needs to dispose of electronics of any kind on a regular basis, you need a better plan than just throwing everything to the curb. In addition to avoiding some local penalties and protecting the environment, some of your investment can be returned in the form of recycling payments or resales if you plan it well. Here are a few computer recycling planning points to help you make the most of old systems.
What's Wrong With Just Dumping It All?
First, dumping electronic waste probably illegal in your area. Many states will fine business and individuals for throwing away computers and other electronics into general dumpsters, curb sides, and landfills. It's also easier for a business-volume computer dumping to be cause than an individual tossing a single computer away.
The reason for the waste laws is because a few toxic substances are inside certain components such as capacitor and battery systems, which can leak out over time in standard trash environments. This can affect groundwater, local wildlife, and air quality if left unchecked.
Aside from punishment, you stand to lose money if you throw out systems without any treatment. The raw materials inside computers are worth money, and some components may be able to sell for a fair amount if they're not too obsolete. If you're reading this after an upgrade, you may want to have your Information Technology (IT) staff figure out if your old components can be used as repair/backup parts for new components.
Making Recycling Easier And More Profitable
IT staff should be tasked with dismantling old systems due to their familiarity with systems. It can even be tied to an education program while leaving the IT department to their own devices, as not all technicians have the money to tear apart and carefully examine old, but relevant systems that they don't need to put together.
When preparing recyclable components for recycling, it's a good idea to get recycling bins with different colors to organize your materials. Aluminum, copper, and magnets can get their own bins that can be hand-carried or stored somewhere near the exit or in technical storage rooms.
For bulk electronics waste or bigger materials such as aluminum computer cases, a separate dumpster is in order. You can get a dumpster dedicated to just recyclable materials, and the company renting out dumpster services can place it somewhere close to the exist, but far enough from the normal items dumpster to avoid constant trash mixing.
Contact a dumpster rental services professional, like http://parksandsons.com, to prepare organization, storage, and recycling center delivery at business scale.
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