Don’t bin IT, recycle IT! : Help the environment and the community

The people of Hertfordshire, with a little help from HP, are thinking globally and acting locally.

HP has a take-back service that allows you to conveniently recycle unwanted computers and equipment from any manufacturer without adding to landfills or exporting scrap electronics to developing countries.

In Hertfordshire, HP has successfully completed four charitable recycling events as part of its effort to encourage residents to donate their old IT equipment to UK charities. HP collected a massive 46 tonnes of unwanted IT equipment from a variety of manufacturers – including base units and printers, laptops, Inkjet printers, scanners and large photocopiers.

“Refurbishing computer equipment and making IT accessible to the wider community is one of the most effective ways of reducing the impact of IT waste on the environment,” says Kirstie McIntyre, Take Back Compliance manager, HP EMEA. “It’s something HP has been doing for many years, so we’re really proud to be supporting Hertfordshire in this initiative.”

Of all the equipment collected, 28 per cent will be refurbished and given to UK charities or resold to UK-based organisations unable to afford new equipment.

The remaining equipment that cannot be reused will be recycled by a specialised recycling plant, minimising the electronic waste that goes to landfill and reducing its environmental impact.

The proceeds from the sale of the refurbished IT equipment – generously donated by the local Hertfordshire residents – will fund the Maxitech.biz Edge Employer IT hardware training programme, designed to help disadvantaged people gain nationally recognised qualifications.

By partnering with local environmental organisations such as Maxitech, HP helps the community benefit from electronic waste collection, disposal and recycling. The equipment, regardless of its condition, may well be reused by other individuals or organisations, and HP is always keen to explore as many alternative avenues as possible.

Providing refurbished IT equipment for local individuals or organisations goes a long way to reducing the digital gap in communities. “We’re grateful to all the people who turned up to bring their unwanted IT equipment to be recycled or refurbished,” says Peter Paduh, managing director at Maxitech.biz. “All the equipment that can be reused will be put to good use and allow those people in the local community and across the UK to enjoy what otherwise they couldn’t afford to buy.”

“The success of the events shows how easy it is for residents to recycle their unwanted PCs and reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill,” says County Councillor Derrick Ashley, Chair of the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership.

HP has been at the forefront of recycling with product-specific programmes and recycling incentives that give you the peace of mind of knowing that your equipment is being disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.

But the best way to keep computer equipment out of landfills is to design them for recycling right from the beginning — maximizing their ability to be disassembled and recycled. HP uses bromine-free plastics with less paint and easy-to-disassemble enclosures to facilitate recycling the PC at life’s end.