by Shane Henson — July 26, 2013—British businesses of all types and sizes have a poor record of properly disposing of electronic waste (e-waste), according to recycling experts Business Waste, who says that up to 95 percent of companies still send their e-waste to landfills rather that making arrangements for it to be collected, reused or recycled.
Worse, says Business Waste, many businesses are unaware of regulations regarding the disposal of electrical and electronic equipment, despite their long-standing implementation in the U.K. and across Europe.
“We’re seeing more and more electronic waste being inappropriately discarded,” said Mike Hall, Business Waste’s commercial director. “In fact, e-waste is currently the fastest growing type of waste that companies like ours handle.”
According to Business Waste, one of the major reasons that companies are reluctant to recycle their old computer goods is that they are concerned over data security.
“Nervous bosses are worried that their data could fall into the wrong hands if it is sent for recycling,” Hall explained. “Scares over identity theft and corporate crime mean that they’d rather completely destroy computer goods themselves rather that hand it to a third party to be disposed of correctly.”
However, Business Waste, which provides waste collection and recycling services, says that this is seldom the case. Responsible businesses would ensure that their data is completely wiped from electronic equipment, and ethical disposal services provide an additional layer of security, the company says.
Unfortunately, companies are either unaware that ethical disposable facilities exist, or choose not to use them. They may also not consider how damaging throwing away electronic equipment is to the environment and human health. Not only are some parts of electronic waste considered hazardous, but there is a tremendous investment in energy and resources required to build new, notes Business Waste. It reportedly takes nearly a quarter of a ton of fossil fuel, 48 pounds of chemicals, and a ton and a half of water to manufacture one computer and monitor.
