Recycling e-waste is becoming big business. While the intentions are good and the schemes are getting better, there are still a lot of variables involved with individual company’s techniques and methods. IDC, a technology research firm, hopes to create a little more uniformity in e-waste disposal and has set up a certification programme to grade individual U.S. companies on their methods. Companies targeted by IDC include scrap collectors, computer makers, and recycling and waste disposal operations.
The programme introduced by IDC is called G.R.A.D.E. or the Green Recycling and Asset Disposal for the Enterprise Certification.
Thus far, five companies have qualified for G.R.A.D.E.: computer manufacturers HP, Dell, and IBM; Redemtech and Intechra join other firms that concentrate specifically on technology recycling and disposal.
The test for the certification was simple. IDC rated 34 processes at 25 of the country’s biggest disposal and recycling firms. IDC granted certification to companies that scored 75% or above using the set criteria.
If the IDC manages to develop a set system for the disposal or recycling of e-waste, many business owners may begin to feel the pressure of compliance. Many countries already have strict guidelines and regulations regarding e-waste disposal so it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if the U.S. were soon to be among those who are already regulated. In the mean time, companies also face another issue on the disposal front - how to ensure that the company’s information has been sufficiently removed from old computer systems.
To learn more about IDC and G.R.A.D.E., go to: idc.com
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