Computer recycling refers to the practice of salvaging useable components from obsolete electronic devices or safely disposing off electronic devices. It is a practice that each one of us must inculcate because inappropriate handling of discarded computers and other electronic devices can cause environmental hazards.
Studies estimate that over 40 million electronic pieces become obsolete annually. These pieces have constituents such as lead, cadmium, barium, and mercury, which are hazardous to the environment. In a landfill, these materials seep into the ground and then into our food and water supplies. This can cause serious health concerns over a long period.
Obsolete Computers: Environmental Threats Obsolete computers that are simply dumped in the garbage drums are the biggest threat to the environment. The computer monitors have cathode ray tubes containing four to five pounds of lead that contaminates the environment acutely. Besides lead, the computers have many other hazardous elements such as mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. When inhaled over a long period, these elements cause high blood pressure, liver and nerve disease, blood with poor iron, and even brain damage to the exposed group. This causes great concern, considering several million computers become obsolete annually.
Therefore, we must handle the obsolete electronic devices carefully. Moreover, different Environmental Laws have banned the illegal landfills by the disposals of computers and other electronic equipment. These laws necessitate sending the un-functional computers to a reputable recycler for harmless recycling. The laws also specify the need for regular recycling to avoid such computers from piling up.
There are several methods to deal with old computers. Some of them are as follows:
Give It For Reuse: If your computer is in a decent condition, you can sell it to a company or an individual so that it can be used further, or simply donate it to someone needy.
Trade It In: There are many computer dealers (e.g. HP) who offer trade-in promotions on computers and peripherals.
Auction It: You can sell the computer on eBay or any other auction site. You can also organize a quick garage sale and see if any of your friends or neighbors wants the computer.
Set up a Server: You can continue using the old computer as a server to store and share data.
Salvage Some Parts: You can see which parts of your computers are in good working condition. You can salvage those parts and use them in your new computer.
Go for computer recycling and safe the planet earth!
This article brought to you by slimline water tanks in conjunction with Rainwater Tanks Melbourne
Small to Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) often don’t consider the cost savings available to them by reducing the amount of waste they get rid of. It is certainly not a priority of a busy manager – however there are significant savings and benefits to working hard on your waste management strategy.
UK businesses generally spend between a few hundred and many thousands of pounds on getting rid of waste. Those with multiple sites spend even more! As a business you have legal responsibilies about how your waste is disposed of, and there are finance penalties should you get this wrong.
One major increasing cost factor in UK waste disposal is Landfill Tax, which has increased year on year since 2006.
Many bins are not charged by weight, however Landfill Tax is set to increase by 8% a year until at least 2014 in the UK, so costs will rise over time.
Question is then… how can you reduce your waste costs?
* Clever marketing tricks you into thinking you are saving mega bucks, when really these initial low rates are onoly there to lure you in. Make sure if the second year costs are much more than you think are reasonable that you exercise your right to cancel the contract, and seek advice elsewhere.
* Companies are wise to the “quit after April” bargaining tool and will make sure their contracts are tight, so make sure you write “one month’s notice to cancel at any time” on your waste contact
* Make sure you approach at least 3 companies to get a quote – or use a waste broker to management this prices. Watch for extras such as bin rental, duty of care charges etc
* It is really important that you have a Waste Transfer Note, as this is a legal requirement – this means you know who is collecting your waste, and where it is going.
* Try and recycle more! It’s not just the most popular marketing line, it’s for real and can save you money. Recycling is more often than not, cheaper than general waste – so you can actually save money AND do your bit for the environment (remember the Government wants less in Landfills!)
* Equipment to reduce the physical size of your waste can help reduce your costs too. Balers and compactors for example crush and compact cardboard and paper into smaller parcels – ask your waste company to audit your firm to see if you’d save money.
* Many firms send too much packaging – so why not discuss alternatives with your main suppliers, it may be that you can reduce the amount sent to you – which in turn means you waste less.
* Think about items you throw away – paper, envelopes etc – can you use these for another purpose instead of them going straight to a landfill.
* It is worth checking the night before your bin collections how full they are – do they stay empty most of the time, do you have peak times when you need 2 bins, not 1? Consider reducing the amount of bins you have, and consider compactors to reduce the size of waste.
* There are many waste brokers around the country whose job it is to save you money, make sure you call them. They will also make sure you are not tied into one particular supplier and make sure your business is legally compliant.
Graeme Rose is Managing Director of 707 Waste Management based in the UK. 707 offers a refreshing new concept in waste management – saving companies time and money and assisting them with their corporate social responsibility by turning waste into a resource. 707 Ltd – Call 08454 707 707
Many companies in the UK are realising the benefits to being eco friendly. They are using the Green and Blue words to communicate the environmental benefits of buying or using their products. Firms such as VW and Ford use Blue and Eco in product names – a sure smokescreen – but how can you save money and sell more by jumping on the recycling bandwagon?
We know the Government want to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill sites, and this has meant one thing – advertising. The Government has spend millions making recycling cool – from TV to slapping stickers on your bins – it’s everywhere and being part of the recycling revolution means you benefit too.
Recycling is a trend. Correct, there is a massive trend towards recycling, and packaging is one area that firms are using to differentiate themselves and appeal to the new breed of environmentally conscious consumers.
Thrifty consumers are demanding more from their products and services in the modern world. They are reminded this when it comes to carrier bags at the checkout, or when they choose newly designed packets that cram more product into less packet – they demand more – and you can use this to your advantage!
Use these following tips to incorporate recycling into your marketing:
* Try hard to show your customers that you are recycling, and actively asking them to be part of that. There are many footers you can use on email communications, and others for letters.
* Eco and Green in your product names. If your product has good environmental credentials why not tell them so. Use the words: green, eco etc in your product names and communicate them in a positive way.
* Use the recycle logo. Where your product can be recycled, make sure you use the recycle logo, as this is a very positive communication -
How can you use recycling to reduce your costs?
* Actually, recycling can be cheaper than normal landfill waste. Waste Management company 707 Ltd, recons that actually becuase of the recent increases in landfill tax, that recycling now works out cheaper. They also say that it’s the knock on effect of being more careful with the waste produced by a business that has the effect of reducing waste quantities.
* If you ask you sometimes get! Why not link up with your suppliers and convince then to reduce the amount of packaging they send to you. This means you get less waste, and they save money!
* Replacing all your paper within packaging can reduce the production costs and waste costs of your products – such as using internet based instruction manuals.
* By using less packaging you can have the positive spin of “We have halved our transport costs” – this technique has been used by a number of supermarkets – using aero trucks with “We use an Aero Truck – saving you money and the environment” – sounds great and everyone wins!
Jonathan Ratcliffe is a promotional Consultant from Top Search Limited. He writes for many publications on how to increase their promotional efforts using clever and cost effective methods.
