Let's pretend that we are all big PC manufacturers, and that we want to sell more boxes. Since everybody's talking about being more "green," maybe we could say that it's more environmentally friendly to trade in that old PC on a new one! Yeah, that's it—older PCs aren't worth as much, so companies might have to pay to recycle them. That makes buying new systems cheaper in the long run than keeping the old ones, right?
I attended the E-Scrap conference in Atlanta last week, where 900 of my colleagues and I spent two days debating the state of electronics recycling. Redemtech is not itself a recycler, but uses partners to process many millions of pounds of electronics each year. So we are part of the industry by association, and we stay in close touch to ensure our downstream vendors are compliant with industry best practices. The various sessions completely ignored a glaring deficiency in the trade: the majority of electronics owners choose NOT to recycle their old computers and other e-junk when they are done with it. Stated more bluntly, the customer doesn't like, or think they need, what we are selling.
Continue reading "E-Wasted, But Planning for a Better Day" »
More and more people are drawing conclusive links between computer technology and carbon dioxide emissions linked by science to global warming and environmental destruction. Experts agree that it is important for representatives of the global information and communications technology industry to understand the correlations between the technology upon which it relies for business operations and growing threats to the world environment.
The European Union's WEEE Directive has been touted as a model for electronics producer responsibility, but many do not realize that years after its passage, the law is only now taking effect—country by country (for example, the Directive went into effect in the U.K. on July 1). From a recycling infrastructure and capacity perspective, the unfortunate truth for WEEE is that Europe is unprepared to accept the tsunami of e-waste that the law will generate, and its implementors' near-term efforts will favor expediency over environmental stewardship.
Everyone has a responsibility as an inhabitant of the Earth to do his or her part toward protecting and improving the environment. It is our duty, and desire as parents and grandparents, to do the right thing in support of future generations.
Continue reading "Responsible Businesses Don't Make Sustainability Choices - People Do" »
I have often wondered why some of the largest companies in the U.S. feel the need to donate their used, depreciated, obsolete computer equipment. Do they donate anything else that’s used? Food, shop towels, hand tools? I don’t think so.
Continue reading "Why Do Corporations Really Donate Computer Equipment?" »
Customer Service is in the process. If organizations do not have processes that support the ultimate expectations of the customer, while maintaining profitability and environmental sustainability, they must implement those processes to support strategic goals. The desire to deliver and the capability to do so are separated by the processes and the measurements used to gauge satisfaction. Without support processes, the result is Lip Service.
Good asset management doesn’t cost, it pays. This truth is often missed by corporate leaders who think that asset management is something business has to afford. The hard lessons my grandparents practiced on the land are a model for everyone who needs to do more with less.
The other day on a cross-country flight, I witnessed something that I found to be a bit disturbing. The airline, like many others today, has limited amenities. No meals, pillows, blankets, or first class seating. They did have, however, in-flight movies. In order to watch those movies, passengers either use their own headphones or they are provided headphones once onboard.
So far, so good ... until it was time for our final descent.
Continue reading "Airlines Need Down-to-Earth E-waste Solution" »
