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Preventing and Reducing Electronic Wastes
Diverting electronics from disposal helps businesses protect the environment, helps ensure environmental compliance, and may save money.
- Buy and Use for the Long Term - Purchasing high quality, long-life equipment may cost a little more up front, but lengthens the time between purchases and helps avoid or forestall disposal problems and costs. Upgrades may be possible for some equipment, and maintenance contracts or agreements may help extend product life. Repairing equipment extends its useful life.
- Keep the Stuff that Works – If the monitor still works but the CPU needs to be upgraded, consider only replacing the CPU and keeping the current monitor. In addition to preventing waste, this strategy may save your business considerable money.
- Vendor Take-Back - Consider adding vendor take-back of old equipment as a condition of buying new equipment. Insert such conditions in long-term vendor contracts, or simply ask if that service can be provided.
- Lease Equipment - Leasing is a specific way to avoid the difficulties and expense of managing old products. Instead it becomes the product vendor’s responsibility and thereby encourages product stewardship. A study produced by INFORM Inc. describes the beneficial environmental effects of leasing.
Recycle
Recycling opportunities for electronics are increasing – see options for recycling electronic materials |
