Over the years, office equipment such as computers, printers and projectors made data processing and reporting bearable. Air conditioners and humidifiers also helped many workers. No one can deny the benefits that technological advancements bring. However, managing them is bound to be stressful once they become obsolete.

Obsolete office equipment is among the most notorious forms of e-waste out there. Some companies choose to donate or sell reusable parts. There are also those that dispose the waste on landfill. Such option is both unethical and illegal.

If you’re in charge of managing your company’s e-waste, you should choose to e-recycle instead. Below are the steps of e-recycling you need to know.

1. Inquiry
No matter how useless your office equipment has become, they may still contain confidential info about your business operations. Thus, you shouldn’t just let anyone access them. Before you strike a deal with e-recycling company, make sure you do a background check and get to know their steps. When you’re sure about the company, inquire about where you can send your e-waste or how they can collect such.

2. Collection
Collection comes next. As its name suggests, this involves gathering all the e-waste in the plant of the e-recycling company.

3. Inspection
Once the e-waste is compiled, an inspector from the company assesses them. He checks if there are parts that they can recover and return to your company. You should be there when the inspection happens so he can inform you and help you decide right away.

4. Documentation
The e-recycling company will provide documents detailing the parts that they can possibly recover. The documents will also contain information regarding the e-waste processing they’ll do. This step is both vital for you and your electronic waste partner because it helps ensure that the e-waste management is in compliance with industrial standards.

5. Processing
When the documentation is done, the most complex and most essential step comes next. Processing starts with data destruction. The company usually requires at least one representative from your company to oversee the process. Thanks to this step, you’ll feel secured that your confidential info is handled properly.

The processing involves disassembling the parts manually and mechanically. After all data are destroyed, the step proceeds to either material recovery or total destruction. Material recovery is chosen in case there are parts or materials that can be recovered from the e-waste. These could be glass, plastic and metal.

When there are no materials to be recovered, the processing goes to total destruction. Or after the material recovery, the remaining e-waste is totally destroyed.

6. Reuse and Disposal
When there are recovered parts, your company may choose to reuse it. You can also sell recovered raw materials to manufacturers. As for those that are no longer reusable, the e-recycling company will dispose it.

7. Certification
Once all of the above mentioned steps are covered, the e-recycling company will give a certificate of destruction. You can present this certification to the authorities to prove you’re complying with proper e-waste disposal.

E-recycling tends to be complicated. Unlike the typical household waste, you can’t just process e-waste on your own. Thankfully, you can count on e-recycling companies for your speedy and efficient e-waste management.