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