Comtek Communications BV.

Disposal of Electronic Equipment

Some Unpleasant Facts

Electronic products contain deadly toxins such as mercury, barium, lead, chromium, cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins.

E-waste that is dumped into landfills or is recycled without care, risks the leaching of heavy metals into the ground water and soil. Burning E-waste produces lethal fumes that contaminate the air.

Workers inhale acid fumes, chlorine, and sulphur dioxide gas. Waste products such as lead, mercury, and PCBs are dumped in waterways, fields, and open trenches, or are vaporised after being burnt in the open air. The consequences include serious health problems such as breathing difficulties, leukaemia, and undrinkable, poison-laden water. Contaminated soil and drinking water often contains lead and other heavy metal concentrations which are 190 times higher than safe levels.

Artificial "Need" for New Equipment

Manufactuers invest large amounts of energy and resources, trying to persuade customers to replace their older IT equipment with their latest brand-new IT products. Although OEMs attempt to project themselves as environmentally sensitive, their real primary aim is to simply replace still-functioning IT equipment with new products, condemning the discarded items to landfills. Despite the claims of manufacturers sales teams to the contrary, the network performance improvements gained by purchasing the "latest and greatest" technology products is often minimal, and is always accompanied by a hefty financial cost. Cisco's and other manufacturers ceaseless rolling withdrawal of support for older products, with the expectation that such equipment will be scrapped, also applies another toxic blow to the relentless assault on the environment.

A 2008 Corporate IT Forum study, found that 69% of IT managers viewed cost efficiency as being critical to implementing greener policies.

Private businesses are not foolish. As end-users face tough economic conditions and tighter budget constraints, most private businesses are relieved to find a source which can economically repair and maintain IT equipment, no matter how old the products. The same customers also appreciate being able to purchase tested and warranted discount priced used equipment. Environmentally Green IT policies are proving to be good for end-users bottom lines, and also good for the environment.

Saving Money while Protecting the Environment

There are a number of steps that equipment users can take to preserve both their IT budgets and the environment. Many companies have already taken these steps, and even though they may not be motivated by environmental principles, they have reaped sizeable financial savings and benefits without any loss of network performance or reliability.