** As
industries everywhere become more reliant on technology, two new and challenging
obstacles are emerging: the safe and legal disposal of outdated computer
equipment, and the digital or physical data destruction of client information.
**
Recently, a discarded computer was recovered during the dredging of a section of
the Thames River in London. Authorities found a software license sticker on the
unit and called Microsoft to see who owned the license. The original owner was
identified as a company on Mayfair Road, London. Upon further investigation, it
was discovered that the company gave the computer to an employee. The employee
couldn't get the computer to work, so he threw it into the river. Eventually,
the company was fined for the illegal disposal of the old computer.
** More
and more businesses and institutions are struggling to responsibly dispose of
their unwanted information technology assets.
** While the tide is changing, the unfortunate truth is that a lot of
computer equipment still winds up in landfills, leaching toxic materials
into the soil and groundwater. With a little bit of extra effort, you
can take a greener path.
** There are several different ways to remove the data from your hard
drive. One way is to use software that erases the drive completely.
However, there's no way to guarantee that this software will effectively
destroy all the data. A better option is to take the drive to Able IT
Logistics Ltd.
** These days, any computer that is more than 3 years old will be
noticeably slower in its performance than a computer that has been
manufactured in the last few months.
** Computers also contain other hazardous materials, including mercury,
cadmium (a known carcinogen), and hexavalent chromium (shown to cause
high blood pressure, iron-poor blood, liver disease, and nerve and brain
damage in animals).
** 314 million computers will be thrown away by the end of 2010,
containing 1.2 billion pounds of lead, 2 million pounds of cadmium, 1.2
million pounds of hexavalent chromium, and 400,000 pounds of mercury.
** Imagine a worst-case scenario: Groundwater near a landfill becomes
contaminated. In a search for potentially responsible parties, a company
that had disposed of computers at the site (identified by a control tag
or manufacturer's number) could be subject to potentially costly
criminal and civil action.
** Data protection is extremely important to all businesses. Corporate
trade secrets, personal information about clients, and non-transferable
licensed software must all be removed from media prior to disposal,
unless you have certification that your hard drive has been destroyed.
** During a two-year period, some students have been monitored during
their purchase of 158 hard drives at second hand stores and on eBay. Of
the 129 drives that functioned, 69 still had recoverable files on them
and 49 contained “significant personal information,” including 5,000
credit card numbers.
** Simply reformatting a hard drive will not erase data.
*************
DISPOSAL and RECYCLING COMPUTERS
All of which are serious issues that ABLE IT Logistics Ltd can resolve
easily.
Please give us a call on:
How Can My Business Participate in Computer Recycling?
Times were when a computer that broke down would be taken to the repair
shop and fixed for further use. Now, no sooner does the computer break
down than you will feel the urge to simply junk it and purchase a newer
system that offers more features.
With newer recycling technologies emerging and affecting us all it has
become possible to recycle computers as well as rechargeable batteries and
other
computer equipment through some state-of-the-art processes that we at Able
Logistics Limited employ to make absolutely certain that your no-longer
wanted
equipment is disposed of and the environment and nature are not adversely
affected.
As more people become aware of the need to conserve natural resources and
keep our environment clean, recycling old computers has become incredibly
popular. But what is computer recycling, exactly? Why is it so important?
And can one take a computer to be recycled?
What is Computer Recycling?
Computer recycling is the process of extracting valuable secondary raw
materials from obsolete computers. The EPA estimates that 30 to 40 million
personal
computers are ready for recycling each year. But because of the source
material used to make them, simply throwing away your old computer can be
dangerous
and harmful to the environment. Depending on their age, computers can
contain such toxic materials as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and
radioactive
isotopes. They also contain valuable materials worth recovering, such as
gold, tin, aluminum, iron, silicon, copper, and an array of different
plastics.
Why Recycle Computers?
It is estimated that an average computer monitor may hold more than 6%
lead by weight. When you discard a computer monitor or circuit board, most
of that lead leeches into groundwater, or pollutes surrounding air if the
monitor is incinerated. Some companies ship their outdated computer
monitors and circuit boards to developing nations that have weak
environmental protection regulations.
This only moves the problem. It doesn't fix it.
Where do I Recycle Computers?
Consumer recycling is a popular option for recycling computers. Consumer
recycling involves to environmentally responsible recyclers, such as Able
IT Logistics Limited. Luckily, getting rid of that older model doesn't
mean you have to negatively impact the environment. Look for the computer
recycling program nearest you and feel good knowing you did your part to
help eliminate e-waste.
UK
COMPUTER DISPOSALS.co.uk