Expert Office Advice

Do you need to affordably dispose of equipment in your office in a way that does not harm the environment? Do you have old computers, furniture, telephones or other office equipment just lying around because you don’t know what to do with them, or how to dispose them in an ethical and economical fashion? Did you know that you can easily and affordably recycle your office equipment? Batteries, cardboard, electronic equipment, fluorescent lamps, furniture, glass, mobile phones, office paper, and toner cartridges can all be recycled.

There are many organisations in the UK, which recycle office equipment. You can donate your equipment to one of these companies or use a waste disposal service for a fee. Charities typically charge less for recycling services than do waste disposal companies. Some charities have specific requirements for donating office equipment; for instance, some only accept certain types of computers and monitors. Be sure to check the requirements of the organisation you wish to donate to before you arrive at the door with your stuff. Many charities refurbish computers and donate them to educational and not-for-profit groups. Donating your used office equipment to a charitable organisation is a good way to help both the environment and your local community.

The European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) of January 2007 changed the way electronic waste is handled. The WEEE Directive now imposes strict controls on the disposal of electronics. Redundant computers are now defined as hazardous waste. Because of the new regulations, many refurbishing organisations do not accept extremely old computers. Some recycling companies or charities will accept older computers and recycle them into plastic, metal and glass, in accordance with the WEEE Directive. Because of the new electronic waste legislation, recycling costs have increased, causing the charities to charge for recycling services. Charities typically charge around eight pounds to recycle computers and monitors, two pounds for printers and servers. Some organisations refurbish and recycle certain items, like toner cartridges, free of charge.

With the new Environmental Legislation, businesses have to change their disposal methods or they will be at risk for prosecution. It can actually be more expensive to dispose of your waste improperly than it would to pay someone to recycle or dispose of it in accordance with the legislation. Hopefully the legislation will have a positive impact on waste disposal methods and the environment. Some waste disposal companies offer waste audit services, where the staff visits your facility and gives you recommendations on how to reduce waste and also dispose of waste properly. If you are a large company with a lot of heavy, outdated equipment, you may want to hire a waste management service to help you find the best solution for your disposal needs.

No matter what your needs are, there are enough services available for you to dispose of your office equipment in an environmentally friendly manner. Check your local yellow pages for refurbishing/recycling organisations for more information.

Commercial waste collection resources and further information:

AnyJunk – office waste collection and removal services in London, Bristol, Bath and Birmingham.