How to Safely & Securely Dispose of Old Laptops
The revolving door of modern tech devices can leave many wondering what to do with old laptops. Disposing of used laptops can be fairly challenging in the UK, as they cannot be discarded with ordinary household rubbish as they are considered electronic waste (e-waste). For businesses that have an IT stock of dozens or even hundreds of redundant, old laptops, there are solutions that are environmentally friendly and even profitable.
Improper Disposal of Old Laptops
According to the BBC, the global e-waste figure for old laptop disposal was around 9% in 2020, however in the UK the reality is much worse. Not only does the UK generate around 1.65 million tonnes of e-waste yearly, but it also falls short of the 65% collection rate, meaning that laptop disposal (amongst other e-waste items) poses an environmental threat and a huge loss of potential recycling opportunities.
Organisations Disposing of Old Business Laptops Improperly
The e-waste crisis is not just limited to private households and in fact, much of the old laptop disposal in the UK comes from offices and businesses. Organisations generate a significant amount of e-waste, and used laptops make up a large proportion of that waste. For private individuals and especially for organisations, proper disposal is important for many reasons.