By George Bardissi, President Bardissi Enterprises
This topic is a highly growing concern throughout the United States. Today, over 95% of people and businesses in Pennsylvania discard their old computer equipment in the trash or the dumpster. My question for you is, do you really want to do that? Let’s break this down in two categories, computer equipment and electronics.
When it comes to computer equipment you need to ask yourself a few questions. First, when throwing away my old PC’s am I also throwing away my old data? Many people and companies who are looking to dispose of their equipment many times forget to realize that old data (bank statements, financial records, important documents) are still on the hard drives of their old systems. Before you go and decide to donate your old computer equipment or simply throw it in the trash you must be careful. The last thing anyone needs is for their information to fall into the wrong person’s hands. Some people think, well I don’t really have any important information on my system. Keep in mind that your system keeps track of a lot of things you did on the internet. Even if you are unaware of it, if you typed your credit card numbers or checked accounts and saved usernames and passwords that information is still there.
When it comes to electronics, many people again just throw things on the curb or in the dumpster. Pennsylvania has not stipulated laws about mandatory recycling of computers and electronics yet. However, it is coming down the pipeline. An example of this is California. According to laws pasted in 2006, if companies or individuals are found throwing things in the trash versus recycling, if the piece of equipment can be traced back to the original purchaser, that person or company will get fined heavily. California has fees in place for the discarding of old TVs, monitors, etc.
By George Bardissi, President Bardissi Enterprises
This topic is a highly growing concern throughout the United States. Today, over 95% of people and businesses in Pennsylvania discard their old computer equipment in the trash or the dumpster. My question for you is, do you really want to do that? Let’s break this down in two categories, computer equipment and electronics.
When it comes to computer equipment you need to ask yourself a few questions. First, when throwing away my old PC’s am I also throwing away my old data? Many people and companies who are looking to dispose of their equipment many times forget to realize that old data (bank statements, financial records, important documents) are still on the hard drives of their old systems. Before you go and decide to donate your old computer equipment or simply throw it in the trash you must be careful. The last thing anyone needs is for their information to fall into the wrong person’s hands. Some people think, well I don’t really have any important information on my system. Keep in mind that your system keeps track of a lot of things you did on the internet. Even if you are unaware of it, if you typed your credit card numbers or checked accounts and saved usernames and passwords that information is still there.
When it comes to electronics, many people again just throw things on the curb or in the dumpster. Pennsylvania has not stipulated laws about mandatory recycling of computers and electronics yet. However, it is coming down the pipeline. An example of this is California. According to laws pasted in 2006, if companies or individuals are found throwing things in the trash versus recycling, if the piece of equipment can be traced back to the original purchaser, that person or company will get fined heavily. California has fees in place for the discarding of old TVs, monitors, etc.
So what is the whole point about disposing of your old “IT or electronic junk”? There are a few! First, if you are about to throw away electronics, as of now it is still ok to throw things in the trash, however bad it still is for the environment. PA, NJ, DE and the surrounding area have not passed laws about this yet but please don’t think they wont. Second, if you are about to get rid of computer equipment, take note of the following. There are many companies out there that will take your old equipment from you and charge you a small nominal fee to dispose of the old equipment properly.
Please keep in mind, if you do not have the ability to make sure your system is free of old data before throwing it out or donating it, you must contact someone who can do it for you. Many of the companies that you can go to for disposal of your old equipment will also offer you data destruction as a service. This service will take your old hard drive(s) and make sure your data is totally destroyed via the US government’s own method of destroying government computer data. You will even get a certificate stating that your data was successfully destroyed with a time and a date. There are also community programs that have recycling dates in your local towns. Many of these programs give you the ability to recycle your equipment for free. Please check your local area’s to see if this is available to you and who the companies are that provide the service.
One last thing to be aware of is, when you do decide to give your equipment away or dispose of your old equipment, get a receipt with the date, serial numbers of each piece of equipment, and the person or organization that your handing your things to. Why? Just in case that old computer ends up in the wrong place and someone comes knocking at your door you have a paper trail of what you did with your old item so that you’re not responsible for any wrongdoing after the fact.
Remember, you and only you are responsible for the information contained on your old system. So if it falls in the wrong hands, it will be because you did not follow the steps as previously outlined. Personal information thief is a multimillion dollar business that is not going away and will increase in the days, months and years to come.
