Skyrocket Sustainability Goals with Smarter Electronics Management

Technology has dramatically changed for businesses and households over the last three decades. It has transformed the way we communicate at work—and in our personal lives as well. Think about your own interactions with cell phones and computers over the years: there’s a night-and-day difference between the first computer you ever used and the one you use now.

But, it’s important to remember that all these changes to our technological devices result in a buildup of obsolete equipment. It’s alarming to think about the massive amounts of outdated technology in the world and where it all goes. And, unfortunately, sometimes this means it ends up in the wrong places. On a positive note, there are simple solutions that exist to help companies manage outdated electronics—and sometimes even get cash back in return!

We spoke with our environmental compliance manager, Gary Griessmeyer, who helped paint the picture on the evolution of technology and how to properly manage it.

“As computers and electronics reach end of life, there was a phase where people started to pile them up,” explained Griessmeyer. “There really wasn’t anywhere to go with them, and people weren’t fully educated on the impact of improper disposal. Some people would rather hide their electronics in the trash or throw them away than properly get rid of them.”

Once electronics end up in the landfill instead of being responsibly handled, the metals and materials inside these devices cannot be recovered; the materials can be incredibly harmful to the environment and our well-being.

Nowadays, companies and organizations are taking positive strides towards proper electronics recycling (e-recycling), but there’s still work to be done on continued awareness and education. At Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction, we’re big believers in educating others on ways they can not only make a difference, but can benefit from it, too. To make things easier and to help share a different perspective, we’ve compiled some helpful steps that you can take as an organization to responsibly dispose outdated equipment.

What You Can Do

When your company’s equipment is no longer needed by the organization, there are a handful of responsible and sustainable steps you can take.

Refurbish or Remarket

If it’s an option, refurbishing or remarketing your electronics are excellent ways to extend the life of materials and equipment. Doing this keeps materials out of the waste stream for a longer period of time. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” has never been truer, especially when it comes to precious metals and valuable equipment. Plus, refurbishing and remarketing are easy ways you can swap these assets for cash (even when you’re stretched for time). Read about it in our recent article.

Recycle

If remarketing or refurbishing aren’t options for your equipment, recycling will keep outdated equipment from piling up in storage closets and put them back into the electronics life cycle. More importantly, sending them to a recycling and data destruction center will prevent valuable company data from getting in the wrong hands. E-recycling is simple! Your company can have someone pick up outdated equipment for you, or you can drop it off at a recycling center. At the end of the day, you can even receive certification of data destruction. Read more about the risk of letting your obsolete I.T. equipment sit.

Look for Certified E-Recyclers

When you use a certified electronics recycler, you can ensure that your outdated equipment is being properly handled. Various certifications exist to ensure e-recycling companies are safely recycling and managing electronics. When you see seals like these, you know that e-recyclers are being consistently educated and are up-to-date on best practices.

Reach Your Sustainability Goals with a One-Stop Shop for End-of-Life Electronics

At Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction, we pride ourselves on recycling and destroying data the right way, which helps protect both our customers’ precious data and the planet. We call this “Down To Earth” recycling, meaning we combine our environmental responsibility with a relaxed outlook and systematic attention to detail. Plus, we strive to make things easy by offering refurbishing, remarketing, safe data destruction, and e-recycling all in-house.

If you’d like to discuss ways your company can meet its sustainability goals while also getting rid of outdated equipment, reach out to us online or call us at (833) E-RECYCL.

Categorized in: IT Equipment, Sustainability