Recycling your technology is something that you may not put too much thought into, but the facts are that a lot of the technology we use can be really harmful to the environment if it isn’t recycled properly. This month, we are going to go into what happens to your old tech and how having a plan for recycling your old tech can help.
For the most part, the technology that gets thrown away is disposed of like most other garbage: Burnt or put into landfills. This isn’t good. With people using technology so much, it results in over 40 million tons of eWaste per year; and that figure is just going up. Technology often contains some materials that can seriously damage the environment. Metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and more can make their way into groundwater and can result in some pretty gnarly birth defects and health issues.
Businesses are at their best when they maintain an ethical code. Businesses are responsible for recycling technology to reduce electronic waste's environmental impact. By implementing efficient eWaste recycling programs that align with corporate sustainability goals and contribute to conserving valuable resources and reducing harmful pollutants, businesses can set a positive example and do their part to help reduce the problem at hand.
To recycle technology responsibly, businesses should start by using local eWaste recycling programs or drop-off locations. Before you bring in your devices, removing personal data from them is extremely important. Disassembling electronic components and separating materials such as metals, plastics, and glass before recycling can really help, but if you don’t want to take the time to do this, getting it into the hands of a responsible recycling outfit will do. Businesses that really want to make their tech useful should explore opportunities to donate or repurpose functional devices to extend the lifespan of technology whenever possible.
At First Column IT, we have relationships with companies that can help any organization responsibly recycle any technology they are looking to discard. If you would like to talk to one of our knowledgeable consultants about transforming your technology recycling strategy, give us a call today at (571) 470-5594.
