Let’s talk about social sustainability, responsibility, and data safety. A shift in consciousness has happened over the past few decades — a growing trend where people think before they throw away, they reuse until it’s nearly obsolete, reduce consumption of unneeded clutter, and recycle what they no longer need or have use for.
The correct disposal of your electronic stuff is a healthy measure of personal sustainability and social responsibility. But not only that! The adequate disposal of such equipment also benefits your data safety. By properly wiping and erasing any personal information that may compromise you or your company before you dump your “junk”, you minimize the risk of exposure.
To make our point across, we’ve prepared key info on how to get rid of your old gadgets and say “goodbye” to your old unused tech gizmo.
1. Wipe it clean
Before any action is taken on disposing of any computer, laptop, camera, tablet, or electronic device — make sure you wipe its memory clean or reset its setting to a factory restart. This is to guarantee personal or company information is not found within any device before removing it from your assets. This quick 5-step “how-to” should help you get started on this process.
“One man’s rubbish may be another’s treasure” — Hector Urquhart
2. Well, how about donating?
While ushering in the Digital Revolution, a boom of technological evolution has been achieved in the last 30–40 years. With such fast growth in innovation and technology, equipment and devices quickly became phased out with better, shinier, newer versions. What do we do with what is considered “obsolete” or “old news”?
Did you know, just in Portugal, under 50% of children have access to a computer? And of that 50%, an average of 23% have internet access they can use freely to link-up with their professor without worrying about data usage.
“For example, in the 1st cycle of public education, the average percentage of students without a computer with Internet access is 31%, while in private schools this figure drops to 10%”, points out the survey done by NOVA University.
With the coronavirus keeping kids at home — how about being part of the movement to put that old laptop or unused desktop in the hands of a child who will make great use of it?
Get in touch with your local town hall or city council in order to be able to donate — there has been a major effort in all local municipalities and the government to get these kids up to date with equipment for them to continue their schooling online. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated during this fundamental campaign — hopefully in time for them to graduate!
3. Transform the broken
Sometimes things get broken, busted, or explode beyond repair. But, before you toss your digital buddy in the trash can, think about where it should really be sent off as its final resting place. A place that can completely shred it to bits to be reused in other projects, and let’s not forget — destroys any data still lingering in them. Programs like Interecycling have a 4 step process to get rid of all your dead tech and data.
Companies like these will be an essential business in our technologically advancing future. A company that not only takes care of the logistics, dirty work, and processing — but guarantees you that your information has been secured in the total destruction of the items sent. Interecycling isn’t the only one in Portugal with a tip-top project; Weeecycle is part of a circular economy that not only takes all your junk, but they also reinvent it; How could we forget about those pesky little fuel cells — Ecopilhas gives you all the information on how to properly dispose of batteries; finally, Electrão an all-in-one electronics recycling plant that processes all old equipment and appliances.
4. Less is More
As the world moves closer to a techy wireless, multiconnected, diverse platform future — why not do more with less? With a population of around 7.5 billion currently, it’s projected on average that each person on earth has 6–7 devices connected to the internet of things in 2020. This means that there are nearly 50 billion connected devices to networks worldwide. Unfortunately, that means there will be many old devices lying around and unused. So why don’t you round those up and start getting them ready and prepped for donations or recycling?
What’s no longer useful to you, can do wonders for those who are in need. So remember those 3 R’s next time you notice that obsolete piece of tech in your house or workspace; Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.
