Tips for Businesses on Reducing Electronic Wastes 

Diverting electronics from disposal helps businesses protect the environment, helps ensure environmental compliance, and may save money.

Preventing and Reducing Electronic Wastes

• 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. 

Donation 

Good functional equipment may be useful to nonprofit groups, schools or other charitable groups. These organizations don’t want junk, but useful items are usually welcome and may earn tax deductions for donating businesses. A search through the yellow pages will reveal possible charitable outlets, but some specific options are: 

• Goodwill, Salvation Army and other traditional charities will accept certain electronic devices for resale. Check to make sure what equipment is accepted before taking products to them. 
• Functioning equipment may be useful to community groups or schools. Some examples include: 
  • ExplorNet is one possible outlet in North Carolina
  • In the Charlotte area, two possible outlets are Simputer and the Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation Recycled Equipment Assistance Program. Call (704) 342-7335. 
  • PEP National Directory of Computer Recycling Programs may also be a resource for exploring donation options.
• ExcessAccess is an online donation service for a variety of products. 
• Functioning TVs, VCRs, stereos and CD players may also be useful to local nonprofits, churches or schools. Again, check to make sure they can use what you have. 

Recycle
Recycling opportunities for electronics are increasing – see options for recycling electronic materials