Services
April 30, 2012
When a company no longer has use for a piece of equipment in its original location, doesn’t need or want to move it to another plant, or is unable to sell it because the equipment is obsolete or there are no interested buyers, the company has to deci
de how to dispose of it. Disposing of technology is not as simple as putting it on the curb. Not only can equipment hold proprietary or classified information that must be properly erased, it typically is full of heavy metals and chemicals that can wreak havoc on the environment and affect people’s health. Lead, which is found in circuit boards, causes brain damage and birth defects. Mercury, which is in switches or flat screens, affects the heart, liver, and lungs. And flame retardants, usually found on plastic casing, affect skeletal systems. When electronics are dumped into landfills, these harmful chemicals can leach into the groundwater and soil, affecting the environment and the people who live in it.
Companies have a responsibility to dispose of electronic equipment in a way that adheres to local and federal environmental guidelines created by the EPA. ISO 14001:2004 is a set of standards put into place by the International Organization of Standardization that helps companies minimize their impact on the environment and comply with local and federal regulations. Currently more than 150 nations have organizations that work toward adhering to these standards. ISO 14001:2004 is not mandated, but it helps companies develop responsible environmental management systems.
Rather than try to work within this set of standards on their own, many companies turn to consultants to help or make sure to work with ISO 14001:2004 registered recyclers that meet the highest standards of electronic waste recycling. If your company is trying to develop an environmental management system to reduce your impact on the environment, contact EquipNet to find out how we can help. Visit our Surplus Technology Resource Center to learn more.
Categorias: Services
Tags: e-cycling e-waste electronic recycling IT asset management services,
