Have you ever considered what actually happens to your old computers, printers and other electronics once you’ve discarded them? Not many people do.
It’s time to StEP UP!
According to StEP, an initiative set up by the UN, an estimated 40 million tonnes of e-waste is generated each year. That figure might not mean much, but it’s the approximate weight of 144 of the world’s largest passenger airliners, the Airbus-380. And unless we all start taking more responsibility, our throw-away society is literally going to find itself up to it’s ears in e-waste.
What is e-waste anyway?
E-waste is your old TV, phone, mobile phone or computer once you no longer want it. All of this obsolete, electronic garbage is called "e-waste."
Although computers seem like sleek, high-tech marvels they are full of lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium and polyvinyl chlorides. All of these materials have known toxicological effects that range from brain damage to kidney disease to mutations, cancers, and birth defects.
Where does your e-waste go?
Despite everyone’s best intentions to be green, some e-waste is being sent to Asia for disposal, rather than being disposed of correctly in its country of origin. A recent 60 Minutes report showed the impact of this dangerous trend on the environment and local populations, where workers lack the skills and safety equipment to dispose of e-waste toxins safely. Through responsible choices this can be avoided.
Responsible E-waste Disposal
IT Partners works hard to ensure our own e-waste - and our clients’ - is disposed of responsibly. We re-market products on Trade Me for some clients and donate other equipment to schools. However, re-marketing is not always possible, and when that’s the case we use reputable Auckland company, RCN & Associates.
For a small fee, RCN picks up our e-waste from Hamilton and recycles up to 99% of the compounds and metals of electrical items such as printers, PCs, telephone handsets, cell phones and cables. Nothing gets shipped overseas unless there is no New Zealand option. RCN also boasts the only CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) processing facility in New Zealand which means hazardous compounds such as lead, mercury, and arsenic are recycled or disposed of correctly, and therefore diverted from landfills.
If you’d like IT Partners advice or assistance with disposing of your unwanted e-waste responsibly, then give us a call 07 957 2650 or contact us by email.