Oct 17
0

Your Business’ Green Corporate Social Responsibility

By | Business, Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling | No Comments

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.

Jul 30
0

Employees the Biggest Threat to Data Security

By | Business, Data Destruction, News, Uncategorized | No Comments

The risk of data leaking from the business is one of the biggest fears of many managers and directors buy generic antabuse. Great lengths and protective measures are gone to, to ensure data is protected but a new survey by PHS Data Solutions has shown that the biggest threat to data security, in the case of their study in the public sector, is employees.

The study took on board the opinions of 141 senior public sector managers and related staff and 83% of them stated that employees were the biggest threat to the security of data of all. The study shows how people fear their colleagues more than external hackers and the risks of data security from equipment being incorrectly handled or recycled didn’t seem to factor at all in the results.

A spokesperson for the company who commissioned the survey highlighted the point that ‘internal shredding and storage can increase the risk of records being saved or destroyed incorrectly’ and it is statements like this which add weight to the argument that innovations like cloud computing and off-site data storage solutions are future.

Further than this data security is a key element in the computer recycling business. As the statement above suggests on-site data and hard drive shredding isn’t as safe as using a secure and professional service off-site and therefore opting for a professional is essential. Buy IT Back offers a secure data security and removal service, ensuring all equipment which is given to us for recycling purposes is wiped clean and there is no risk of any data being passed onto future users of the equipment.

Buy IT Back’s data security service involves using the government approved software package Blancco for the removal of all data from hard drives in computers given to us through our recycling service. There is also the further option of hard drive shredding in instances where this is required.

Buy IT Back simply require an asset form for a free evaluation of old equipment and any equipment handed over is done for a fee and then it is recycled or repurposed in a range of different ways. No data will be involved in the recycling or repurposing as it will all be completely cleared to guarantee leaks are removed. The only problem left for businesses then is to decide how their data will be protected in the future and whether a move to the cloud is imminent. Secure information may need to be accessed readily by employees but it should be stored in a way which is unable to be copied, transferred or used in a way which could adversely affect the business.

Jul 29
0

First Quarter 2014 WEEE Figures looking Promising

By | Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling, News, Uncategorized | No Comments

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.

Jul 27
0

Surprising Facts about IT Recycling

By | Computer Recycling | No Comments

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.

May 22
0

The Importance of Green Computer Disposal

By | Computer Recycling | No Comments

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.

May 15
0

Golden Rules of IT Recycling

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There is a huge risk of damaging your company’s reputation if you don’t use the right IT recycling company. The security of your data is integral to the success of your business and the chance of it getting into the wrong hands is one that must be avoided. With the wrong IT recycling company you may find that your data isn’t securely disposed of and who knows where it may lead. Below are three golden rules to keep in mind when choosing your IT recycling company.

1. Get to know them

It is important you get to know your chosen recycling company. The IT recycling London companies and those around the UK have to choose from is extensive so building up a good professional relationship is important. You want to choose a company who have a strong track record and are dedicated to the industry. You also want to be sure they have expertise in data security and use powerful data erasure software. Without these elements you may not be able to trust the company fully and ensure they will be able to handle your old equipment safely and securely.

2. Check out those ‘too good to be trues’

If something sounds too good to be true it nearly always is. Electronic recycling companies are growing in number and many of these companies don’t have the experience necessary to handle business clients. They may also not have the right permits in place to ensure they are going to handle your waste electronics legally within EU WEEE guidelines. Opting for a service because they perhaps were the first who turned up on your doorstep or happen to be closest to your premises is not the wisest decision. Companies like Buy IT Back pay you for the privilege of taking your equipment and do so with a rich history in the sector.

3. Formalise Proceedings

If you want to work with an IT recycling company on a long term basis then make it official. Many companies will be keen to stay as your chosen recycler for the long term and perhaps drawing up a simple contract between your company and the chosen recycler will help the agreement feel more complete. The more formal and professional you keep proceedings the higher the chance that your new business partner will stick to their side of the agreement.

The golden rules of computer recycling should be kept in mind when you’re planning to recycle your old office equipment responsibly. Working with an experienced partner for your IT recycling needs means that you can be safe in the knowledge that it’s being handled properly.

May 05
0

Effective Ways of Creating a Greener Business

By | Computer Recycling | No Comments

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.

May 03
0

Why a professional Computer Recycling Company is always best

By | Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling | No Comments

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.

May 02
0

Data Protection and your Business

By | Business, Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling, Data Destruction | No Comments

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.

May 01
0

Developing Countries becoming the eDumps of the West

By | Computer Disposal, News | No Comments
Countries in the developing world have been taken over by digital waste from the west. Computer equipment, mobile phones and more have been shipped out to huge e-waste dumps in China and Ghana and much of this activity is illegal.
It is believed that over 50,000,000 tonnes of unwanted electrical and electronic equipment ends up in the dumping grounds in both Guiyu in China and Agbogbloshie in Ghana. Some of the equipment is rebuild or redeveloped and sold on whilst the rest is broken down into component parts. Some of this can be sold on to manufacturers in raw form whilst some is simply left as toxic waste.
In the UK all businesses have a legal requirement to ensure their waste electrical and electronic equipment is disposed of responsibly but this obviously isn’t happening in every instance.
The Environmental Protection Agency figures state that recycling just 1 million mobile phone handsets, and many more are thrown out each year, 50lbs of gold, 550lbs of silver, 20lbs of palladium and over 20,000lbs of copper could be salvaged. The process of salvaging all these materials has become known as urban mining and there is so much digital junk being thrown into waste dumps in the developing world, we are all losing out.
Recycling your waste electronic and electrical equipment as a business person is an absolute legal necessity. Simply throwing it away or using a general recycling company does not ensure your waste has been dealt with properly and you could be in contravention of the law.
Instead it makes sense to work with a professional IT recycling company who guarantee responsible disposal of your equipment. Our services cover this for your entire stock of office equipment and we also ensure that you receive a fee for handing your items over to us.
We analyse and assess all your equipment and give you a quote based on the prices we can get for resale, ensuring none of your equipment is simply thrown on the landfill or shipped to an e-dump in the developing world.
Wherever possible we find ways of reselling your equipment rather than simply breaking it down for parts. A huge proportion of computer equipment which is just thrown out could actually be reused and utilising a professional service like ours means you get some cash back as well.

Cash Back for your Computer Equipment

Rather than potentially acting illegally and contributing to the already considerable problems the developing world has to contend with, your business will benefit from responsibly recycling old computers. The computer recycling London companies and those across the UK need can be provided by our specialists.
As well as cash back for your old IT hardware, we offer a full data erasure service you can be sure that even if your items are resold there is no need to worry about security features.
Giving the developing world a chance to overcome the masses of toxic e-waste building up on their land is something we should all try to do.

Providing IT Hardware, Data Security, Recycling & Residual Value Solutions For Over 30 Years Since 1992