With global electronic waste increasing in the last five years, companies are working to do their part to mitigate the effects of waste on the environment. Unfortunately, the amount of e-waste that gets collected and recycled doesn’t compare to what ends up in local landfills due to improper disposal practices.
As a business owner, it falls within your commercial and social duty to ensure that you follow proper e-waste disposal procedures. If you are wondering how you can play a role, here are five electronic recycling mistakes companies must avoid when getting started.
Being Unaware of Where Your Equipment Ends Up
Despite electronic waste posing a real threat to the environment, many people are still unaware of where their old equipment ends up. Unfortunately, e-waste ends up in landfills across the nation. These items undergo unsafe breakdown and burning processes that release toxic particles that affect our land, air, and water.
Disposing of Your Electronics Yourself
To this day, some businesses may not fully understand the harmful effects of this hazardous material, so they choose to dispose of their old electronic equipment on their own. While they believe they are cutting down on costs, their actions can do more harm than good.
When it comes to items like circuit boards and large hardware, it’s best to leave the work in the hands of trained professionals. These experts will know how to appropriately and efficiently handle the heavy metals that equipment can contain.
“Throwing Away” Data
Many business owners believe that sensitive information will be safe as long as you format your drive before disposal. However, 25 percent of data breaches occur due to negligent practices that include unsafe electronic waste recycling procedures.
Not Using the Right Containers
Not only is e-waste dangerous for the environment, but incorrect disposal can harm humans as well. It’s essential to have the proper containers to safely store your old equipment until it’s ready for recycling.
Not Configuring Trash Cans for E-Waste
Perhaps one of the most detrimental mistakes is not configuring your trash for e-waste, as it can cause significant confusion and result in your old equipment heading straight for a landfill.
Employees may not know where to place old or damaged equipment, so taking a moment to create a restrictive opening or pasting large pictures on top of each bin can help facilitate and encourage proper disposal.
Companies can avoid engaging in improper disposal techniques that affect the environment and its health by becoming aware of these electronic recycling mistakes. This awareness can also help you do your part to make the world a cleaner place.
At Evergreen IT Solutions, our commercial e-waste recycling services aim to save the environment from the effects of electronic waste. We work with businesses of all sizes and can pack your material for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or inquiries.