Today's technology may be indispensable to your business, but it's also
composed of highly hazardous materials. As a result, the way you dispose of
computers and other electronic office equipment is not just your own business.
There are laws to consider--not to mention the ugly possibility that someone
might "out" you on a website if your company isn't kind to the environment.
Digital Reality Check
Even if you only have one computer in your office, it’s filled with enough
toxins to create a serious environmental hazard if you don't dispose of it
properly. For example, an old-style CRT monitor alone contains 4 to 5 pounds of
lead. If you only have one such monitor to dispose of, consider yourself lucky.
The computer contains dozens of other dangerous materials, such as cadmium,
which has been linked to cancer; chromium, which has been linked to iron
deficiencies, liver problems and brain damage in animals; and mercury. This goes
for other equipment as well: telephone systems, fax machines, printers,
scanners, modems, cellular phones, wireless communication devices, digital
assistants, TVs and cable boxes. But in every crisis, there is also the
opportunity to do the right thing.
What Your Company Can Do
The EPA has strict rules on managing waste, though its terminology can be a bit
confusing. There is also state and local legislation to consider. Here are
measures your company can take to be as environmentally responsible as possible:
1. Make it a priority from the top. Many companies still pay lip
service to treating the environment well. Make your environmental priorities a
mandate from the top brass in your company. CEOs who walk the talk generate more
compliance and support than those who think they're above the law.
2. Throw it away or trade it in. Stockpiling old computer equipment is
as bad as not disposing of it properly. You know you aren't going to use it
again. If you did, it would be outdated and could pose a security risk for your
company. Instead, take advantage of manufacturers' trade-in programs. Many
manufacturers accept full responsibility for your computer's disposal. In
return, they get tax credits from the government for performing this service.
It's also great PR for them.
3. Reuse. If your computer is still in working order and tossing it
seems like a waste, donate it to a local nonprofit organization that will be
sure to use it.
4. Recycle. Most states and municipalities have recycling laws
specifically governing the disposal of computer waste. Many cities have
recycling centers, although some can only be used by individuals, not
businesses. Call to find out the rules, and inquire about your city's particular
policies. Be sure to get some sort of receipt or documentation of the
equipment's proper disposal for your records.
5. Travel light. Lea Woodward, Founder of the Location Independent
Professional revolution, has the perfect solution. She started the "Leave it
Better" initiative that challenges world travelers to leave the places they
journey to in better condition than when they arrived. "I started thinking that
many of the places we visit are often lacking in the First World facilities most
of us are used to and wondering whether there was anything we could do on our
travels as a sort of thank you to each of the places we stayed in,” Woodward
says.
The xynoMedia team and I have vowed to shop and dine only at locally based
establishments when we travel. What will your company do?
The good news is that computers are becoming smaller, which translates to
less waste material and fewer byproducts. Perhaps computer equipment will soon
self-destruct when you're done with it, as it did in Mission Impossible.
Until then, wear your company's recycling efforts as a badge of honor. Post
your polices on your website and let the media know that your company is helping
to make an enormous global difference with tiny local actions.