E-recycling services take out and process valuable metals to serve as raw materials for manufacturing new electronics, or refurbish components as replacement parts for equipment. Working with an e-waste recycler can help your business further its commitment on sustainable business practices.
Before you start looking for one, however, you must first consider what you really require. Here are the three steps you must follow in choosing the best recycler for your business:
1. Determine the e-waste produced by your business
You must consider the type of e-waste your business is producing. Recyclers can easily handle simple electronics, and appliance or equipment parts and accessories such as wires, printer cartridges, batteries, hard drives, and lighting.
But, appliances, electrical tools, and medical, IT, and telecommunications equipment require special handling. Not all recyclers can process such items and some might even charge for special disposal or handling.
Furthermore, certain electronics like LCD monitors, computers, and copiers contain harmful chemicals such as mercury. Some recyclers require additional payment for these items since they hand it off to those who can dispose it. In such cases, choose a recycler certified and capable of disposing such items.
Lastly, you should also determine how much electronic waste your business is producing. The estimate should measure waste produced on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. The estimations can help determine if a waste consolidator is enough or a recycler is required for the business’ needs.
2. Look for certifications from third-party organizations
When a recycler or waste consolidator is certified, they are proven to have the management and system required by a third-party auditor. Certification from these auditors attests that an e-recycle service has the required facilities, personnel training, and equipment to provide a service that meets standards.
In relation to that, you should specifically check for ISO 14001 environmental management certification. This attests that the business has a system following the standards set by the International Association of Electronics Recyclers or the Institute or Scrap Recycling Industries. Working with a service with this certification ensures that your business’ e-waste is responsibly recycled.
3. Consider data security measures
Computers, mobile phones, and other devices with storage capacities can contain sensitive and private information of your customers, suppliers, or business. Those with malicious intent can use these to commit fraudulent activities on bank accounts or credit cards, or steal account details and passwords. If you plan to have these types of electronics recycled, you would have to choose a recycler with the proper data destruction policies. These recyclers will wipe data, render data unusable, and properly shred the hardware.
Some secured e-recycling services provide certificates of data destruction as a means to verify and document the deletion of stored information, as well as the destruction of storage drives. Although this can somehow protect your business from legal action, there should still be data destruction procedures in your business to show due diligence on your end.
Once you have done these steps, you can start talking to recyclers that you think can deliver your business needs. Prioritize those who have good customer service as it indicates how well they will treat you in the future.
