How can e-waste be recycled responsibly?
Monday, 23, Jan 2012 10:50
In today's business world, electrical equipment soon builds up, from computers and printers to mobile phones and tablets.
With new models coming out all the time, it is easy to replace devices on a regularly basis, with e-waste quickly accumulating.
Therefore, firms should use a leading UK electronics recycling company to ensure such items are disposed of to legal standards.
This is because there are certain legal and environmental benchmarks that organisations need to meet when getting rid of unwanted electrical items, and so simply throwing them away in a tip is not an option, unless a business wants to risk being prosecuted.
The first piece of legislation that companies need to take note of is the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which applies to firms that manufacture, import, dispose of, rebrand or distribute products including communications and IT devices.
Under the WEEE Directive - which came into effect in January 2007 - businesses the regulations apply to also need to register with a producer compliance scheme, which the Environment Agency will oversee.
As such, one of the first steps to responsibly recycling e-waste is to select a recycling organisation that strictly adheres to this piece of legislation and is accredited by the Environment Agency.
The WEEE Directive strives to minimise the damage caused to the environment through the disposal of e-waste and encourages the recycling and recovery of such items.
Another reason why businesses need to recycle responsibly is because they have a fulfilment of duty of care they have to meet.
Under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, organisations need to ensure controlled waste is disposed of in the correct way so as to not harm nature.
Indeed, consider the potential effects of leaving computers, smartphones and printers outside next to bins or dumped by other means. Animals could poison themselves by swallowing harmful components and substances like mercury and sulphur, not to mention the possibility of injury.
Meanwhile, toxic substances could seep into the ground and be washed into waterways, damaging the quality of rivers, harming aquatic life and ruining crops.
Business-to-business providers of airtime, software and hardware within the communications and IT industry should also consider joining a Recycling Partner Programme.
This will ensure e-waste is disposed of in the correct manner, while organisations would be wise to choose a recycling company that offers a data security service.
Smartphones, tablets and computers can contain sensitive corporate information, as well as personal details about customers, clients and suppliers. By having such data permanently wiped, companies can rest assured that it will not fall into the wrong hands and be used maliciously.
Firms could find themselves facing the wrath of the Information Commissioner's Office if they breach the Data Protection Act by leaving e-waste lying around for anyone to access.
There are therefore a plethora of legal and environmental reasons why recycling unwanted electrical equipment in a responsible way is important. In addition, companies that follow such a programme may find their reputation boosted.
Clients and suppliers will no doubt enjoy being associated with a green firm, while customers could be more willing to use its services or products as a result of its responsible recycling.
As such, the first step towards this is using a leading UK recycling organisation that adheres to the WEEE Directive.