Knowing what items can be recycled….reducing waste
Other than the three chasing arrows (Mobius strip) which is a universal recycling symbol, the picture shown below also symbolises theitem can be recycled.
I am still finding that some people just place unwanted items in their bins (not necessarily the right one too!), yet are not aware either of the WEEE regulations or the fact that certain items contain hazardhous/toxic substances. For electrical equipment, there is a WEEE symbol shown with a big cross placed on a bin.
The option to recycle can be carried out by either sending it back to the manufacturer (check your warranty) or there are a number of suppliers/shops who specialise in recycling.
Having spoken to both local and UK national based printer suppliers, they have policies in place to ensure equipment is disposed or recycled legally. Printer ink cartridges can be recycled/refilled and some suppliers even offer incentives to organisations to encourage people to reduce their waste and recycle more.
The article ‘Doing the right thing with your unwanted IT equipment’ already covers ways to dispose of your unwanted IT equipment. Unfortunately, there are still some people who take the hammer to the hard drive, before considering the options they have to dispose of it, mainly due to the information held on it. There are companies in the UK who ensure data is wiped out securely. I would recommend checking what policy is in place where you brought the actual equipment and also request a data erasure/removal report.
There are software products to erase data used by certain companies which meet the HMG Infosec Standard 5, which have been tested and passed by CESG who are the Government’s IT Security Group. A product I know about is used by a recycling charitable organisation (for those who want to donate their old equipment to charities) and also a well known retailer in the UK who sell lots of technical equipment!
Reduce waste – avoid sending items to landfill – recycle more. You wll also save costs as well as reduce carbon footprint.
DATE: 17/08/2010
Tripta Prashar
