| We live in a "technocentric" culture, depending heavily | | | | computer life spans and are now improving the |
| on our PDAs, cell phones and laptops, the networks | | | | performance of their machines. According to Gartner |
| that keep us connected, and the Plasma and LCD | | | | Inc., longer computer life has given a serious boost to |
| technology that lets us view media in ever sharper | | | | the market for used computers and peripherals. In fact, |
| resolution. But technological innovation, while making life | | | | Gartner expects very strong growth in used computer |
| easier and more entertaining, has its costs. Consider all | | | | sales over the next few years. Disposal Even if you |
| of the old technology discarded when a newer model | | | | practice "green computing" there may come a time |
| comes along. What happens to it? Despite increased | | | | when disposal is the only option. To ensure that |
| awareness of the problems of e-waste, old | | | | equipment disposal has minimal effects on the |
| computers can still find their way into landfills where | | | | environment, many businesses hire a third-party IT |
| they can leach toxins, or be shipped for processing to | | | | asset disposal (ITAD) firm. Here are a few pointers |
| developing countries with few regulations in place to | | | | about selecting an ITAD firm from Joe Strathmann, |
| protect the health of workers. Since the European | | | | writing for greencomputing.com: - Data - You need to |
| Union's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment | | | | know that the firm will "wipe" the machine clean. You |
| Directive was passed in 2003, considerable attention | | | | also need to ask about its auditing processes to |
| has been directed toward solving the problem of | | | | ensure that the firm meets all applicable regulatory |
| e-waste. As a result, it is now easier for businesses to | | | | standards for data security. - Paper Trail - The firm |
| become better stewards of the environment while still | | | | should provide you with a certificate of destruction that |
| keeping current with technology. New Options For | | | | lists the machine's serial number, describes how data |
| Business What can businesses do to minimize the | | | | was removed, and indicates whether the machine |
| environmental damage from their old equipment? Here | | | | was recycled or sold. - Dollars and Cents - The cost |
| are a few suggestions: - Reduce the Need - Buy | | | | of proper disposal has come down as the ITAD |
| smart so that a computer can grow with an employee. | | | | industry has matured, but you need to make sure that |
| Cascade older equipment to users with less | | | | the firm you choose follows industry standards, |
| technologically demanding jobs. Equipment rentals can | | | | regardless of the cost of its service. - Recycling vs. |
| also get you through crunch times without forcing you | | | | Landfill - What will the ITAD firm do with old system |
| to acquire a lot of new technology. - Reuse - Instead | | | | components? Check that they will recycle according |
| of dumping old equipment, find a non-profit organization | | | | to industry best practices and not just toss parts into a |
| that can redirect it to someone who can use it. People | | | | landfill or dump them in an unregulated facility in another |
| with disabilities, at-risk students and low-income families | | | | country. With a little resourcefulness you can reduce |
| are just some of the beneficiaries of such programs. - | | | | the environmental impact of the hardware your |
| Buy Used - Consider used equipment the next time | | | | business acquires. When the time for equipment |
| you are looking to purchase hardware. Technology | | | | disposal comes, a little research will help you select a |
| firms are recognizing the detrimental effect of short | | | | reputable and affordable ITAD firm. |