Three Things Businesses Should Consider Before Recycling Electronics
E-waste, or the waste that comes from disposing of electronics in garbage dumps and landfills, can be recycled to reduce your company's impact on the environment. With between 20 and 50 million metric tons of e-waste being produced worldwide every year, it's important that everyone do their part to reduce the amount of electronics that are thrown away. Before you hire an electronics recycling service to help protect the environment, there are a few things you should consider to protect your business. Use this guide to help find the right recycling company to suit your business needs.
Security Concerns
Your company's computers and hard drives, as well as your employees' company-owned cellphones, all contain sensitive information about your business. From trade secrets to personal information about clients, these devices can reveal information you don't want to share with the world. It is important to find a recycling company that can guarantee proof of data destruction as part of the recycling program. Before you hand over any electronics, make sure you have an agreement in writing that protects you in the event of document or information leaks that might originate from your electronics if they fall into the wrong hands.
Charitable Donations
Some e-waste recycling centers operate as nonprofits, which means that you may be able to claim a tax deduction by donating the electronics to a nonprofit recycling center. Since tax breaks can help businesses avoid paying hefty taxes, this may be an option for your company. Talk to your accounting department to determine whether or not your business can take a deduction for this type of donation, and be sure to find a recycling center that operates as a nonprofit to benefit from this unique tax opportunity.
Recycling Pickup
If you are replacing all of the computers, office copiers or other electronics in your office, ask your recycling center about picking up the items from your office. This prevents you from having to rent a truck and take time away from the office to recycle the items. Even if the center doesn't normally arrange for pickup, they may make an exception if you have a large amount of items that need to be recycled.
Making a smart choice about your e-waste recycling means you can do something good for the environment while ensuring your company information stays protected. Ask your local recycling center (like Arcoa) about e-waste recycling and any other programs that can help your company take an environmentally friendly stand on waste disposal.
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