Behind every successful workplace, there's an often overlooked yet critical responsibility: ethically managing a piece of technology's entire lifecycle. From desktop computers to servers to tablets to business phones, tech saturates businesses at every level. As technology owners, businesses must consider how they will dispose of old tech when it needs an upgrade.
This dilemma is known as electronic waste (or e-waste for short). In 2022, the United Nations reported that there were 62 million tons of existing e-waste and predicted this number to increase by 2.6 million tons every year. Only 22% of that waste was properly recycled. This Earth Day, ET&T is thinking about how we can pledge to reduce future e-waste and contribute to a happier, healthier Earth with our clients.
When you commit to recycling your e-waste, you're also prioritizing data security and sustainability. Old technology can pose a serious security risk, especially if they are too old to receive firmware updates. This is especially relevant now, with Microsoft Windows 10 going end of support in October 2025. Some existing technology may not be compatible with the Windows 11 upgrade (let us know if you have questions about this!) You certainly do not want insecure technology, holding important proprietary information, sitting around in an unprotected landfill. When you properly recycle with a certified e-waste handler, you minimize these risks, ensure compliance, and keep your company data safe. ET&T's friendly team of IT experts is also happy to help you prepare your devices for recycling, from backing up important files to erasing hard drives.
Recycling e-waste can also contribute to your organization's sustainability goals. Recycling is the most eco-friendly option when it comes to old technology disposal. Additionally, old technology can use more energy than newer, more efficient upgrades.
On a broader scale, recycling is important because it reduces the risk of harmful chemicals entering landfills. Some old pieces of tech contain toxic materials like lead, mercury, or brominated flame retardants. When you keep these out of your local landfills, you're protecting your community.
The team at ET&T has gathered some best practices that we recommend to our clients when they come to us with questions about recycling e-waste.
Develop a structured plan: When you have a fixed protocol, you can streamline your recycling efforts and prioritize operational efficiency.
Train the entire team: Teach your staff your e-waste practices. Education at every level is important to ensure your plan is understood and followed.
Make updates when needed: Technology is always quickly evolving, so your recycling plan should, too. Every year, take time to evaluate your plan and make necessary changes.
Partner with a certified e-waste handler: Certified e-waste handlers are your best option to ensure data security and environmentally friendly practices.
Proper recycling of technology represents the intersection of data security, regulatory compliance, and sustainability. We can all work together to minimize the growth of e-waste and help our business landscapes become more sustainable and agile. This commitment to proper e-waste management is a competitive advantage in today's digital marketplace, and ET&T is all about helping our clients reach their goals through smart tech practices. Click here to discover e-waste resources in Pennsylvania and here for local Lehigh County resources.
