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Computer Recycling

Keep Your Business Green in 2015

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There are many ways in which you can make your business eco-friendly and keep corporate social responsibility at the heart of everything you do. With a new year already well under way what are you doing to keep your business green in 2015? Here are some tips to consider adding to your business’ green strategy.

Write a Green Policy

One way to really show your business’ commitment to green ethics and sustainability is to have a set-in-stone green policy, which you either get your employees to sign or at least distribute copies of. It could be very basic and simply state your commitment to environmental conscientiousness or it could be that you lay out the rules from turning off equipment after use or recommendations for car sharing and bicycle schemes you may have setup. The idea of a green policy is simply to give your employees, new and existing, a clear and defined message that this commitment to eco-conscious behaviour is long term and a central aspect of your business’ ethos.

Switch to Greener Cleaning Products

Even your office needs cleaning regularly and rather than opting for traditional toxic cleaning products, why not opt for greener alternatives? Many cleaning companies now offer eco-friendly and natural cleaning products and though there may be a slight increase in cost the benefits to your health, reduction in allergic reactions and a healthier working environment, as well as planet, are worth it.

Trade with Green Partners

Opting for green vendors to work alongside your business furthers your commitment to eco-friendly and environmental conscientiousness beyond the walls of your offices. Look into the companies you work with and when looking for new partners, choose companies who have a dedicated commitment to sustainability and the same kind of outlook as you’re developing for your company. Consider working with energy efficient vehicle manufacturers for your company cars for example.

Keep Recycling your IT

Having a dedicated IT recycling partner means your business can always ensure old equipment is responsibly handled and this goes beyond just PCs and monitors. Buy IT Back offer extensive IT recycling services including server recycling, printers and scanners.

Our service is designed to ensure your office has a reliable partner who not only recycles your old equipment according to government guidelines, also buys it from you rather than simply taking it off your hands, ensuring your recoup some capital from the replacement of equipment in your workplace.

Councils Offered Cash for WEEE

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The WEEE Distributor Takeback Scheme (DTS) has launched a new stage of its long term project fund for local authorities and is making £700,000 worth of funding available in total. The fund is being provided by selected electrical retailers who have made contributions to the DTS due to their obligations as part of the WEEE Regulations.watch movie Marito e moglie 2017 now

As a business owner this isn’t something you have to worry about but it’s always interesting to see a renewed interest in WEEE and related areas in the news, as it makes more people aware of their obligations and highlights how valuable services such as what we offer at Buy IT Back are.

The WEEE Regulations are complex collection of laws and legislation which can be difficult to pick your way through when you have a business to run so by using a service such as ours not only do you have a partner who ensures your waste will be disposed of legally and responsibly, you’ll get some cash for your trouble too, to the value of the products we take away.

Innovation and Creation with WEEE

The DTS are inviting proposals from local authorities and their partner organisations across the UK. These proposals should show new ideas, innovation and creative plans for driving up the reuse of what is classified as WEEE in their area, including the practical use of whole appliances as well as effective ways to increase the recycling rates in their area. The deadlines for councils is at the end of February and it will be interesting to see what they come up with in their plans and to hear how the funding is distributed.

WEEE and your Business

Buy IT Back focus on businesses who need a reliable and trustworthy IT recycling partner. We specialise in office equipment which you may no longer use or have upgraded from or simply need to get rid of. Whether you’re downsizing or upgrading we can make a full assessment of the equipment you have to recycle, which could include a range of things from desktop PCs to tablets, laptops and larger equipment such as scanners, printers and server hardware. Our assessments will give you a price for your equipment and then we can move forward and ensure a hassle-free service is delivered.

The WEEE Distributor Takeback Scheme has a key role in ensuring more businesses and domestic homes are able to recycle their WEEE and this next stage of funding is a step forward for the awareness and proper disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Dual Use WEEE suggests Fairer System for 2016

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The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) announced late last year that there are plans to implement the idea of ‘dual use’ into WEEE recycling. This announcement highlights a change of how products are classified and how products which are used by both businesses and household consumers are labelled. There is hope this change will further improve the WEEE legislation already in place and increase rates of WEEE recycling, ensuring a larger proportion of producers are taking their responsibilities seriously.

The changes are scheduled to come into effect from January 2016 which gives the government time to collect enough WEEE data this year and classify products accordingly.

How does the new classification work?

WEEE has always been classified by its nature and quantity in the UK but the government are now changing this to ensure the UK’s classification is in line with the rest of the European Commission. In Europe the methods used for classification are solely based upon whether electrical and electronic equipment is used by both private homes and businesses or not. The UK guidance from 2016 will say that any WEEE of the same type that could be used in a household will be classed as household WEEE. This will mean items like computers and televisions, even in bulk.

What does this actually mean?

This new legislation puts more responsibility on the producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and throughout 2015 the producers of these types of products will be required to report their data in line with the new dual-use classification.

All EEE products will now be considered as business to consumer (B2C) unless the producers can provide genuine evidence that the product is not ever intended for use in domestic environments.

Finally, from January 2016, EEE producers will be subject to a B2C financing obligation dependent on the market share of all the dual-use EEE that enters the market based on the 2015 figures. This change should make collecting data simpler and ensure more equipment is handled efficiently and recycled effectively, helping to move closer to government expectations for WEEE recycling.

What does this mean for me?

As a business owner who simply uses EEE there is no direct effect. Your equipment will remain your equipment and it’s only when it’s passed beyond your recycling partner than it will be satisfied. Developments and changes to the WEEE legislation in the UK is not something any of our clients need to worry about as it’s something we take the initiative on and ensure we’re always complying with. We like to highlight changes such as this for your interest and understanding but when it comes to your computer and IT recycling, Buy IT Back will carry out the same services and offer the same prices and quotes as before.

Your Business’ Green Corporate Social Responsibility

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Corporate social responsibility has become central to many businesses infrastructure. It’s important to show how your business is playing a role in the wider community and how it is accepting its social responsibilities. One of the largest elements of your business’ corporate social responsibility is recycling and though computer recycling is a legal requirement, it’s very easy to do the bare minimum and neglect what could be a key element of your business.

Below are some ways of building your company’s green corporate social responsibility.

Optimise Energy Settings

Most UK work places require computers to function and they can be the biggest consumers of energy in the workplace. Optimise the energy settings on each machine, make it company policy to have energy saving settings in us at all times and ensure a proper shut down at the end of the night. You could do this via the fitting of a power trip or you could simply place trust in your employees. Older computer equipment is unlikely to be efficient and therefore, recycling computers and hardware should be high on your agenda to ensure you have the best possible equipment in terms of energy efficiency as well as general effectiveness.

Go Digital

The more you can digitise, the better. It means you can reduce the need for physical equipment and even trade in your equipment for a cash incentive and make more space. If you choose to utilise cloud storage and services for examples you can recycle servers and related hard drives and hardware in your office. Buy IT Back also ensures that all data from your hardware is permanently erased and your equipment is wiped clean before it is repurposed or recycled.

Be Paper Sensible

There will be things in your office which do require printing but you can still keep your green credentials at the heart of this. You can opt for refillable ink cartridges and you can also look out for paper which has a high percentage of post-consumer content and minimal chlorine bleaching. These are all ethical decisions but more than this, you can avoid printing anything you don’t specifically need to print.

Green Commute

You can begin your green ethics before you even set foot in the office. Cycle, car share or use public transport and you’re setting an example to your employees about the importance of their carbon footprint. You could even go as far as opting for an eco-friendly car or instating an employee cycle programme where bikes can be bought at a discounted price.

These are just some ways your company can work on its green credentials and incorporating them into your general strategy shouldn’t be too difficult.

First Quarter 2014 WEEE Figures looking Promising

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The Environment Agency published new figures on June 5th 2014, highlighting the volume of WEEE collected in the first quarter of 2014. New WEEE regulations were put in place in January and therefore the Environment Agency was keen to see if the changes were effective. Collection levels so far have been described as ‘encouraging’ by those in charge.

The figures published showed the overall WEEE collection from January to April 2014 measured in tonnes moved here. Several industry experts and bodies including the Department for Business Innovation and Skills have made statements claiming the figures are in line with expectations.

Between January and April 2014 112,091 tonnes of all categories of WEEE were collected. The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills had a pre-set target of 490,000 tonnes collected in the whole of 2014 which means the first quarter results are slightly below target but spokespeople are upbeat and positive about the results so far.

The 2014 figure is slightly lower than that of the same period in 2013 but this was put down in part to the decline in the amount of equipment being presented for recycling. It’s another case of individuals and companies simply not realising or not following guidelines when it comes to their WEEE disposal. Tonnage decrease has also been put down to the bulkiness of items actually being disposed of with a reduction of desktop PCs and large, heavy display units in use at all and therefore the weight of the items being disposed of naturally falls.

Some critics have stated that the fall can’t be viewed positively but experts are upbeat and the bulkiness of items is being repeatedly stated as key to the change in volume, rather than the fact that less is actually being recycled.

Computer Recycling

Business computer and IT recycling makes up a large proportion of all the WEEE recycling that takes place each year. Businesses who strive to remain within EU WEEE Directive guidelines will ensure their old computers and hardware are disposed of responsibly, so they don’t end up in landfill sites.

Professional WEEE recycling companies play a key role in reaching government targets for recycling levels and as a business, choosing to work with a professional partner with industry knowledge gives you peace of mind and may save money and time in the long run.

As well as PCs and laptops other office hardware can be recycled by professional companies. Many offices may have old printers, scanners, server units and other electrical items which need a new home or can be broken down for parts. Companies like Buy IT Back also ensure businesses are paid for their old equipment so the cost of new equipment isn’t too much of a strain on the company’s bottom line.

Surprising Facts about IT Recycling

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There are so many facts and statistics out there discussing actually how much IT recycling goes on. As a business you are responsible for ensuring your old or broken equipment is disposed of responsibly but statistics suggest that the UK isn’t one of the world’s best recyclers. In fact, there are many countries succeeding in IT recycling where we fail.

Statistics suggest that up to 50 million tons of e-Waste are disposed every year across the world. Many of the items simply being thrown into landfills include precious metals including gold and silver which could easily be reused. 80% of all electronic products being disposed of end up in landfills and incinerators which allows toxic chemicals to spread into the earth and air. The lead in electronic equipment can be highly dangerous to humans and the environment.

The top 5 IT recycling companies in the world are all based in Europe. Number one is Switzerland followed by Austria, Germany, Netherlands and Norway. The forward thinking of these countries clearly had a part to play in the EU WEEE Directive which ensures all businesses must follow strict regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency have confirmed that IT and WEEE waste is now the fastest growing source of waste in North America and we’re sure the UK can’t be far behind. Just some of the valuable materials within IT equipment includes:

  • Copper
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Palladium

There are also many plastics and other materials which can easily be recycled. More than this many of the items which end up in the incinerator could actually be repurposed or sold on for use by others rather than left to contaminate the earth or atmosphere.

Computer Recycling for Businesses

Buy IT Back specialise in ensuring professional IT recycling and repurposing of old equipment. Your office equipment can be checked and we’ll take it away, paying you a fee for the privilege. Your equipment will be assessed and we’ll ensure it is reused where possible, refurbished where it can be and disposed of responsibly where necessary.

All businesses have a corporate social responsibility and legal requirement to dispose of their IT equipment and any other WEEE responsibly. Trusting a company like ours to handle your IT recycling means that you don’t have to worry about it and we guarantee to work within European Union guidelines to ensure your company is acting legally.

These shocking statistics about IT recycling need to be known so more companies and individuals realise the damage that could be caused by not recycling responsibly. Working with a company like Buy IT Back is simple and straightforward and you just need to get in touch for a quote.

The Importance of Green Computer Disposal

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Businesses produce more electrical and IT waste than they probably imagined. The waste produced by businesses amounts to a considerable portion of all the waste the Earth has to deal with and many pieces of IT equipment emanate hazardous chemicals which can be extremely damaging.

There are European Union regulations which require businesses dispose of their IT and computer equipment in a responsible manner. The majority of businesses choose to work with professional IT recycling companies to ensure there is no need to worry about contravening any regulations. The green disposal of business computer equipment should be the norm which is why working with a recognised partner can help it become a painless activity that just blends in with the rest of the other administrative tasks of the business.

The Ease of Responsible Computer Disposal

Disposing of computers and other IT equipment from your office is a very simple process when you work with Buy IT Back. Our process is simple, you just get in touch and let us know about the volume of your equipment for recycling and we can get a quote over to you to pay for your goods. If the quote seems sufficient then we’ll come and collect the equipment and recycle it in a responsible way. To request your quote fill in our simple asset form.

As trained specialists in IT recycling we have many partners who we can sell on your equipment to for repurposing. As well as this we can find facilities to recycle of it effectively for parts or breaking down into components for other uses. Choosing to work with us ensures th1at your old equipment will go to a new home where it will be appreciated, whether still in th11e same form or completely recycled.

What equipment can be recycled?

There are many different types of IT equipment that can be recycled. It isn’t just PCs and laptops. Printers, scanners and other general office equipment can also be recycled, not to mention network equipment and IT equipment used in retail environments. The company is also able to recycle servers and quality brands are often likely to fetch higher prices than those which can’t be specified.

Any equipment you’re not sure about you can get in touch and we can give you further advice but we are dedicated to ensuring all IT equipment from businesses is recycled responsibly. Green computer disposal is a legal requirement but it can be complex for businesses who simply want to see the back of their old equipment, professional IT recycling specialists are the answer.

Effective Ways of Creating a Greener Business

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A sustainable, eco-friendly business has become something that many businesses in many industries strive for. New businesses often have a better shot at it as they can start from scratch but older businesses trying to ‘green’ themselves may have a harder job. There are plenty of ways to make small changes that can make a difference and below are some easy ways of creating a greener business.

Green Ethos

Making green thinking central to your company culture is the best place to start. Engage your workforce in your thinking and ensure all new employees are made aware of your image as a green business. Ensure you have methods to measure the green changes you make so you can feedback to your employees about the effectiveness of the green agenda.

Light bulb Switch Up

Switching light bulbs may not seem like a big move but the savings will be palpable. No, you won’t save millions of kWhs a year but you will see the benefits of swapping to energy efficient LED lighting. They last five times longer than normal bulbs for a start so the initial increased cost will seem worth it.

No more Plastics

It’d be a step too far to ban plastic bottles from the office but you could remove the plastic cups that come with water coolers, instead encouraging people to use their own bottles from home. If you send a clear statement about plastic in the office the message may hit home with some employees too. 32 million tons of plastic waste was generated in the US in 2011 and this figure will only continue without significant work to limit it.

Recycle and Repurpose

There are many things in your office that can be recycled. Beyond paper and ink cartridges you can recycle your old computers and IT equipment.

Greener Cleaning

Another step you can make towards a greener business is to invest only in green cleaning products. Replacing the products that are usually used with greener alternatives, or asking your cleaning company to do so, is another way of supporting the environment and avoiding the use of toxins which could be damaging in the long term.

Creating a greener ethos for your workplace is just the beginning and once you’ve started it won’t be long until your whole ethos is much greener.

Why a professional Computer Recycling Company is always best

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As a business owner it is important you present a professional image and are seen to have high levels of integrity. This instils trust in your customers and ensuring you dispose of old IT equipment and anything you no longer use in a responsible manner reflects on your business too.

If you’re moving offices, upgrading or simply changing a portion of your equipment then it is your duty to ensure your old equipment is disposed of responsibly. If you don’t then you’re contravening Europe-wide regulations which state you legally must dispose of these items in a conscientious way.

According to recycling experts 25% of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) which is taken to recycling centres could actually be reused. Though these figures relate to household WEEE it is highly probably the business statistics are the same. If your old equipment can be reused then rather than simply disposing of it at a recycling centre, you can use the services of a professional company who specialises in IT and electronics recycling.

At Buy I.T. Back we focus solely in this field and work to ensure your unwanted equipment finds a new home and you receive the best possible cash return for your hardware. This is just one of the benefits of working with professionals. Below are some others to keep in mind:

Save Time

Rather than trying to sell your items online or simply passing them onto someone else you can quickly and easily find out how much they’re worth through filling out our asset form. We deliver quick and accurate no-obligation quotes so you know exactly how much cash you may be able to get back.

Save Cash

Rather than having to pay to list your products or have them taken away we pay you for the privilege of selling on your items. As a professional IT recycling specialist we ensure you get the best price for your items and ensure your cash is with you in good time.

Added Security

As specialists in IT recycling we recognise the importance of data security and utilise cutting edge software to ensure sensitive data is 100% removed from all your equipment before it is resold. We can provide secure data erasure or hard disk shredding where required.

Total Peace of Mind

Above all else working with a professional computer recycling company guarantees you peace of mind. The worry of complying with WEEE recycling regulations is removed from your hands as you can be assured the professional company you’re working with operate within guidelines.

If your office is due an upgrade and you have old computer equipment and hardware which needs a new home come to us before heading to the recycling centre. You’ll get a better return and also be safe in the knowledge your equipment has been responsibly recycled.

Data Protection and your Business

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Business data protection exists to ensure customer details, sensitive financial information, sales figures and any other key business information is kept secure and protected. Your company’s data is probably its most valuable asset so legal protection for it is understandable.

Good business data protection ensures information is kept safe and should mean that you comply with all relevant data protection rules and legislation. Your business needs to have good protection in place but also needs safeguards in place in case of a breach.

Data Protection Regulations

The Data Protection Act 1998 is the relevant legislation that your business will need to pay attention to. It applies to all information stored about living individuals and as a business you must follow these specific steps to ensure you are compliant:

  • Tell the Information Commissioner’s Office that you process data
  • Explain to customers/clients how you store their data and give them access to it
  • Give the option of opting out of data being used
  • Maintain the data ensuring it is up to date and secure
  • Only store information for as long as it is required

Good Business Data Protection

To ensure you avoid breaches to the security of your data good business data protection should be practiced. The first step is to identify a secure space for the storage of all your data. This could be on internal network, a cloud storage option or even on business hard drives.

The second step that matters is keeping all your data 100% accurate and up to date. Outdated records are no more useful than having no data at all so a procedure for maintaining and reviewing records should be in place. Duplication’s should also be regularly checked for as mailing customers twice can result in annoyance and unnecessary costs.

As a business you must have procedures in place to ensure data protection breaches are avoided wherever possible, particular when sensitive data is involved. Below are some key measures to consider.

Secure Storage

Limit access user levels to secure data, ensuring only people who genuinely need access to the data are able to view it.

Monitor Data Release

Take precautions with the release of data. This relates to ensuring security checks are carried out before sharing data with customers via the phone or face to face.

Encrypt before Transferring

All data should be securely encrypted before transferring outside of your business. Limiting the risk of leaks.

What happens when you no longer need the data?

There are many instances where you may no longer need customer data or have moved the data elsewhere and need it erased from old hardware. Computer recycling London companies and those across the UK can choose from often includes secure data erasure.

Data erasure ensures no trace of data is left on any hardware you maybe choosing to sell on and hard disc shredding is another option many businesses consider for complete peace of mind.

Data protection breaches can cause a significant negative impact to your business, especially if it was clear there were measures you could have put in place to limit their impact. Ensuring you treat your data with respect and handle it securely, will provide further protection for your business.

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