Recycle your IT Equipment
One unintended consequence of the computer era is the endless need to upgrade and update your IT equipment. In many cases, this is simply a matter of adding new modules or updated software, but sometimes it is necessary to remove and discard the physical hardware itself.
As a good corporate citizen, you cannot just throw desktop PCs, servers and other hardware into the trash €" it must be recycled. Computers and related equipment contain many potentially hazardous materials, along with other elements that can be recovered and reused. There is a certain amount of gold and other valuable metals in a computer, for instance. Not only would it be a shame to throw this valuable material away, but it can also cause significant pollution, with heavy metals and chemicals leaching into the soil and groundwater.
There are many companies prepared to assist you in recycling IT hardware. They will come right to your company, pick up all the redundant and obsolete equipment, and haul it away, usually at no charge to you. They make their money by salvaging the valuable metals and potentially reusable materials from your old equipment.
Even though your old IT hardware no longer fits your needs, it may be possible for others to use them. Some companies specialize in refurbishing obsolete computers for reuse by charities and other non-profits. While those desktop PCs are inadequate for the latest corporate applications and multimedia, they can still find many more years of use in schools, prisons, rest homes and the like. Not only do you get a tax write-off for donating your old gear, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing that your unneeded stuff is doing good elsewhere.
Before recycling any old IT equipment, it is critical to be sure that it does not contain any sensitive information. At a minimum you should delete files and reformat hard drives before allowing any computers to leave your premises. There have been cases of hard drives being discarded while still containing data, including names, account numbers and even credit card numbers.
A little pre-planning and some work beforehand can save you and your company from embarrassment at the least, and liability suits in the worst case. So it is easy to see that it makes good corporate sense to recycle your old IT equipment. You have the chance to do some serious good in the world while making sure your in-house systems are up to date.
As a good corporate citizen, you cannot just throw desktop PCs, servers and other hardware into the trash €" it must be recycled. Computers and related equipment contain many potentially hazardous materials, along with other elements that can be recovered and reused. There is a certain amount of gold and other valuable metals in a computer, for instance. Not only would it be a shame to throw this valuable material away, but it can also cause significant pollution, with heavy metals and chemicals leaching into the soil and groundwater.
There are many companies prepared to assist you in recycling IT hardware. They will come right to your company, pick up all the redundant and obsolete equipment, and haul it away, usually at no charge to you. They make their money by salvaging the valuable metals and potentially reusable materials from your old equipment.
Even though your old IT hardware no longer fits your needs, it may be possible for others to use them. Some companies specialize in refurbishing obsolete computers for reuse by charities and other non-profits. While those desktop PCs are inadequate for the latest corporate applications and multimedia, they can still find many more years of use in schools, prisons, rest homes and the like. Not only do you get a tax write-off for donating your old gear, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing that your unneeded stuff is doing good elsewhere.
Before recycling any old IT equipment, it is critical to be sure that it does not contain any sensitive information. At a minimum you should delete files and reformat hard drives before allowing any computers to leave your premises. There have been cases of hard drives being discarded while still containing data, including names, account numbers and even credit card numbers.
A little pre-planning and some work beforehand can save you and your company from embarrassment at the least, and liability suits in the worst case. So it is easy to see that it makes good corporate sense to recycle your old IT equipment. You have the chance to do some serious good in the world while making sure your in-house systems are up to date.
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