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"GreenTips" is a monthly Kiplinger Recommends feature from Greener World Media Inc., which writes environmental news and advice for business in a variety of Web-based publications, including GreenBiz.com, GreenerBuildings, ClimateBiz and GreenerComputing, the source of this article. This month's author is Joe Strathmann, the senior manager of Asset Recovery Services at Dell.When people try out and debug the new desktops and network that were just installed, they don't think much about how to deal with the old ones until people complain about tripping over them in the hallway. Many states and municipalities forbid just dumping them in the trash -- and many more will. Breaking down the components, wiping disks and getting the various parts and types of equipment to the right place is a huge chore, especially for a small business.
However, because of the cost and simple lack of knowledge and expertise, very few small companies think about hiring pros to get the job done. They should start reconsidering, says Joe Strathmann, the manager in charge of the IT recycling and disposal program at Dell computers. What Strathmann calls information technology asset disposal (ITAD) has become such a mainstream practice and mature industry that businesses of all sizes can find affordable firms to "recover and dispose of unwanted equipment in a secure and environmentally responsible manner."
In this month's GreenTips column, Strathmann outlines the concerns any business should have about how IT- and e-waste is disposed of and how to vet companies you are thinking of hiring to do the job for you. Your top concern should be data security -- there should be rock-solid guarantees that all information on disks and other equipment will be wiped or destroyed.
Don't take someone's word that they'll take the appropriate security steps or legally and responsibly get rid of your e-trash, even if they outline detailed procedures. Make sure tough documentation and auditing procedures are in place and that you have access to a paper trail. "No business wants their brand name to be exposed to the risk of negative perceptions relating to pollution, loss of data, or unaudited equipment destruction," Strahmann writes.
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