What's inside your computer


Reduce And Reuse - New Ways To Handle E-Waste

We live in a "technocentric" culture,computer life spans and are now improving the
depending heavily on our PDAs, cell phonesperformance of their machines. According to
and laptops, the networks that keep usGartner Inc., longer computer life has given
connected, and the Plasma and LCD technologya serious boost to the market for used
that lets us view media in ever sharpercomputers and peripherals. In fact, Gartner
resolution. But technological innovation,expects very strong growth in used computer
while making life easier and moresales over the next few years. Disposal Even
entertaining, has its costs. Consider all ofif you practice "green computing" there may
the old technology discarded when a newercome 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 problemseffects on the environment, many businesses
of e-waste, old computers can still findhire a third-party IT asset disposal (ITAD)
their way into landfills where they can leachfirm. Here are a few pointers about selecting
toxins, or be shipped for processing toan ITAD firm from Joe Strathmann, writing for
developing countries with few regulations ingreencomputing.com: - Data - You need to know
place to protect the health of workers. Sincethat the firm will "wipe" the machine clean.
the European Union's Waste Electrical andYou also need to ask about its auditing
Electronic Equipment Directive was passed inprocesses to ensure that the firm meets all
2003, considerable attention has beenapplicable regulatory standards for data
directed toward solving the problem ofsecurity. - Paper Trail - The firm should
e-waste. As a result, it is now easier forprovide you with a certificate of destruction
businesses to become better stewards of thethat lists the machine's serial number,
environment while still keeping current withdescribes how data was removed, and indicates
technology. New Options For Business What canwhether the machine was recycled or sold. -
businesses do to minimize the environmentalDollars and Cents - The cost of proper
damage from their old equipment? Here are adisposal has come down as the ITAD industry
few suggestions: - Reduce the Need - Buyhas matured, but you need to make sure that
smart so that a computer can grow with anthe firm you choose follows industry
employee. Cascade older equipment to usersstandards, regardless of the cost of its
with less technologically demanding jobs.service. - Recycling vs. Landfill - What will
Equipment rentals can also get you throughthe ITAD firm do with old system components?
crunch times without forcing you to acquire aCheck that they will recycle according to
lot of new technology. - Reuse - Instead ofindustry best practices and not just toss
dumping old equipment, find a non-profitparts into a landfill or dump them in an
organization that can redirect it to someoneunregulated 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 areenvironmental impact of the hardware your
just some of the beneficiaries of suchbusiness acquires. When the time for
programs. - Buy Used - Consider usedequipment disposal comes, a little research
equipment the next time you are looking towill help you select a reputable and
purchase hardware. Technology firms areaffordable ITAD firm.
recognizing the detrimental effect of short



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