All Posts By

Roger

May 21
0

How To Green Up Your Business

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It seems that ever since that episode of Blue Planet when David Attenborough highlighted the plight of plastic pollution on our oceans, reducing plastic use and generally being more environmentally aware has been at the forefront of many people’s minds. For example more and more people are switching to a more plant based diet and avoiding single use plastic wherever possible.

However it is not just individuals that have a role to play, but businesses, educational establishments and other organisations (whether big or small) could have a huge impact on helping secure our planet for future generations.

So how can you ensure that your business is as green as possible?

It often seems that new businesses have a bit of an easier ride here, as they are able to establish their green credentials right from the outset; choosing the most energy efficient premises, manufacturing processes, products etc. Whereas it can be more a challenge for older and more established businesses to retrofit ecological and sustainable processes.

However there are a number of steps that all businesses can take that can really make a difference. And don’t forget, by following some of our tips below you will not only be helping the environment and doing the right thing, but you may also see an upturn in your business, as more and more people are choosing companies and products based on their eco-credentials, rather than price alone.

Go LED

Simply switching all of your lighting to energy efficient LEDs can have a huge impact on not just the environment, but also your energy bills. Yes LED lights do cost a little more in the first place, but they will usually not only pay for themselves, but also save you money in the long term. And if the thought of a complete switch over to LEDs is a bit too much to swallow, then why not just replace each old bulb with an LED as it blows?

Say Goodbye To Single Use Plastic

Obviously you can’t force your employees never to buy another bottle of water or plastic wrapped sandwich on their lunch break again, but by no longer providing plastic cups at the water cooler and getting rid of that plastic filled vending machine you will find that employees will switch to reusable bottles and packaging almost without thinking about it. Also if you are a manufacturer or have a delivery element to your business model, really think about the packaging that you are using? Do you really need to wrap everything up in plastic or are there other alternatives?

Get A Greener Cleaner

Another simple switch is to move from traditional cleaning products to those with a lower ecological footprint. Also why not try swapping paper towels for hand driers, or even an actual towel!

Reuse and Recycle

When it comes to old or redundant electronics knowing how to treat them in the most ecologically sensitive way possible can be tricky. In most cases the absolute best way to get rid of your old computers and other IT and telecoms equipment is to find a way that they can be reused. However for the average business owner this can feel like an impossible task! Here at Buy IT Back we have nearly 30 years experience in refurbishing old electronic equipment and finding it a great new home. This uses the minimum of energy (even less than recycling) and also avoids these items ending up in landfill. And, as in many cases we are able to sell on your old equipment (once we’ve given it a new lease of life), we can pass this on to you – and actually pay you for taking away that old PC that’s been cluttering up your office for months as you didn’t know what to do with it!

And even if we can’t simply refurbish and sell on your redundant electronics, we are experts in energy efficient computer recycling processes, thus ensuring that your unwanted IT equipment doesn’t go to waste.

So contact Buy IT Back today to find out how we can increase your organisations eco credentials – and pay you for the pleasure of doing so!

May 02
0

Data Protection and Your Business

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Mention the words ‘data protection’ and in many cases a collective groan of despair and exasperation is involuntarily emitted by anyone in the vicinity. However as much as people dread the phrase, we all understand how important it is to protect our and our clients’ data.

Since the introduction of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) on 25 May 2018, the way that companies and organisations handle and protect data has been harmonised with all other EU member states.

The next obvious question is how will Brexit affect GDPR in the UK? In essence the answer is very little will change, as the UK has adopted a new Data Protection Act which largely includes all the provisions of the GDPR. There are some small changes but our law is largely the same.

In the full text of GDPR there are 99 articles setting out the rights of individuals and obligations placed on organisations covered by the regulation. But in a nutshell:

  • There are 8 rights for individuals. These include granting people easier access to the information that companies hold about them, the responsibility of organisations to obtain clear consent before collecting any information, and a new regime of fines for any rule breaking.
  • Data leaks have to be officially reported within 72 hours.
  • Large companies need to document why they hold any data.
  • Companies are expected to limit the processing, collect only that data which is necessary, and not keep personal data once the processing purpose is completed.

However data protection and GDPR doesn’t stop when you, or your old computer does.

Data protection can become even more pressing when considering upgrading or replacing old computer, telecoms and other IT equipment, especially if the equipment has ever been used to store data.

Compete and secure data destruction is actually much harder than you think, therefore it is always recommended that you employ the services of a specialist computer recycling company or data erasure specialist when you are getting rid of any old equipment.

Often there is a cost associated with this, but this can be seen as a necessary evil to ensure your organisations’ data protection compliance. However there is another way.

Buy IT Back are specialists in not only providing a complete data destruction service, but are also able to recondition and resell much of your now completely wiped equipment and are able to pass some of this payment onto you. So rather than paying to fully clear your old equipment of data before then paying to treat it as waste, Buy IT Back can pay you to do all of these things for you! To find out more contact Buy IT Back today.

Apr 16
0

Do You Really Know Where Your Unwanted Electronics End Up?

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It is a sad fact that many people in developing countries such as Ghana, China, India and Nigeria are forced to scratch a living from picking through the discarded remains of illegally dumped electronic waste items to extract the remaining precious metals which can then be sold on for a small fee.

Not only is this practice environmentally dangerous, with large areas being consigned to open dumps of unwanted electronics where toxins such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and flame retardants are able to leach directly into the ground and the water supply, but it is has significant adverse effects on the health of the people who take part in this dangerous profession. The mainly young men and boys who spend their days rifling through these vast e-dumps are exposed to many harmful chemicals which often result in them contracting cancer whilst still in their early 20’s. In countries whose health service is still developing, this is usually fatal.

But where does all of this e-waste come from?

Unfortunately the answer is often the developed countries of the West, whose stringent electronic waste recycling laws can be easily and cheaply circumvented by simply shipping any old or unwanted electronic items to countries whose electronics recycling policies are much more lenient.

It is estimated that 50 million tonnes of electronic waste has ended up in these so-called e-dumps, with 17,765 tonnes of e-waste from the UK being sent to Ghana in 2011 alone (over half of all of the electronic refuse that Ghana took in that year).

So what’s the alternative?

If you want to ensure that your old or unwanted computers, telecoms systems and other electronics are treated both ethically and environmentally soundly then it is important to choose a specialist IT recycling company, such as Buy IT Back.

Firstly Buy IT Back will ensure that as much of your old IT equipment is refurbished and reused as possible. This means that most of it will never even be considered for landfill or incineration. And even if there are components that cannot be reused, we are specialists in safely breaking down items into their component elements and either reusing or recycling these. And what’s more we are usually able to pay you for the privilege!

So rather than simply chucking your unwanted electronics away, or trusting them to a dubious ‘recycling’ company, contact Buy IT Back today and we will ensure that your equipment is treated safely, securely and ethically – and will even pay you for doing so!

Apr 04
0

How To Make Moving Offices Pay

By | Computer Recycling | No Comments

Moving offices is usually a very exciting (if not slightly stressful!) time. New premises often mean that the organisation is doing well and having to move to bigger or more prestigious premises, or that you are exploring a new market, or new challenge.

But as we have said, moving offices can also be incredibly stressful. Having to pack up everything (without losing it!), make sure that all of your staff are happy with the new location and deal with all of the admin of changing address and potentially phone numbers, along with negotiating new services contracts, can be very difficult for any organisation to cope with.

Along with all of that, moving offices can also be incredibly expensive. Never mind the expense of the new offices themselves, but there are also redecorating costs, the cost of buying the inevitable new furniture when you discover that your existing furniture doesn’t fit, not to mention the actual cost of hiring a removal company to physically shift all of the stuff.

It is therefore not surprising that many companies choose to upgrade their IT and telecoms equipment whilst moving. Not only does it get it all over with in amongst everything else, but it saves the expense of having to move old and potentially outdated equipment, only to have to upgrade it all within a year or two anyway.

So what are your options when upgrading?

One option is to contact your equipment’s manufacturer about getting an upgrade. This is often the first option that many organisations reach for as it seems the simplest, and often the only, option open to them.

However this is not always a great idea. Going down of the route of a manufacturer upgrade can mean that:

  • Your options are more limited – as you will only be offered a choice from that single manufacturer’s range
  • Expensive – a manufacturer upgrade will usually involve you having to pay for the new item, along with a removal/recycling charge to get rid of your old equipment
  • Is it really what you need? – an upgrade can make sense if you simply want a piece of equipment that does exactly the same as your current one, but is newer. But by doing this you are closing the door to potentially new and improved technology that you maybe didn’t even know that you needed!

What about a specialist computer recycling company?

Buy IT Back is one of the oldest and most respected specialist computer recycling companies in the UK, with nearly 30 years of business under our belts. And not only do we recycle computers, but we can also recycle your printers, servers, monitors, and all other types of IT and telecoms equipment.

There are a number of reasons why choosing a specialist computer recycling company such as Buy IT Back is a good idea:

    1. You know that your equipment is being treated in an ecologically respectful manner – Rather than simply being dumped into landfill, we are able to refurbish many of the components of your redundant IT and telecoms equipment and thus give them a new lease of life. If the equipment is beyond refurbishment then we are also incredibly knowledgeable regarding the safest and most effective ways of recycling the component parts of electronic equipment, ensuring that we are fully compliant with the WEEE Directive.
    2. We can pay you! – due to our ability to sell on refurbished equipment we are able to pay you a fair market price for the equipment that is simply making your office move harder. This can not only help make your office move less expensive but can also allow you to offset the cost of the equipment that you are planning on furnishing your new offices with.

 

 

So to find out more about how Buy IT Back’s Buy Back service can make your office move both easier and cheaper, contact us today.

Mar 26
0

How Do You Recycle A Computer?

By | Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling, Printer Recycling, Server Recycling | No Comments

Whenever a company, business or other organisation no longer needs a computer, printer, server or other piece of electronic equipment they have a duty of care as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility to ensure that it correctly disposed of.

Since the introduction of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive in 2003 (which was then updated in 2014) it is no longer acceptable to simply dump your unwanted electronics into landfill. These items are now treated as ‘hazardous waste’ and thus have to be disposed of following strict guidelines, many of which focus around the requirement to recycle as many items or components as possible.

What’s in a computer?

Computers, be they desktop or laptop, as actually very complex machines which means that they are very difficult to recycle via traditional methods. Obviously it varies by type and model but most PC’s are made up of a combination of elements and components which can include around 23% plastics, 32% ferrous metals, 12% electronic boards and varying amounts of lead, glass and other non-ferrous metals. As a result of this it means that computers can only really be successfully recycled by specialist companies.

Does a computer have to be recycled?

In many cases it is actually preferable to recondition computers and other pieces of electronic equipment and their components, rather than undergoing the difficult, and often energy intensive process of recycling.

Here at Buy IT Back this is always our first port of call, not only because it is a more ecologically sensitive treatment of unwanted computers and other pieces of IT hardware, but also because there are many organisations, both in the UK and abroad, who will willing buy an affordably priced reconditioned computer, rather than buying something brand new. In fact it is through this method that we treat the majority of pieces of redundant electronic equipment, and this is how we are able to offer such competitive prices through our Buy Back scheme.

However in some cases there are components or entire pieces of unwanted IT or telecoms equipment that are unable to be reconditioned and resold, in which case we will move to our specialist recycling process. This involves carefully separating all of the different elements and treating each individually to allow it to be successfully reused.

What are the other options when it comes to computer recycling?

Since the implementations of the WEEE Directive, recycling via a reputable computer recycling company or service is now the only option allowable by law. The WEEE Directive itself actually puts much of the onus onto manufacturers and retailers to provide a sound recycling service. But in many cases you, as the consumer, will be charged for this.

However with nearly 30 years of computer recycling experience under our belts, Buy IT Back are able to offer a very attractive alternative via our Buy Back service. Simply as it sounds this means that we are able to assess the value that we, as computer recycling, reconditioning and reselling experts, are able to unlock from your unwanted computer equipment – and from this calculate what this equipment is actually worth and pay you a fair market price for it! This money could then go towards the cost of replacing the equipment that you thought that you may have to pay to get rid of!

 

To find out how you could benefit from Buy IT Back’s Buy Back scheme for your unwanted computer and electronic equipment, contact us today.

Mar 18
0

What Should Businesses Do With Their Unwanted Computers?

By | Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling | No Comments

All businesses, schools, charities, colleges and other organisations will make use of computer equipment at some point in their operations. However as we all know technology simply doesn’t stand still and most electronic equipment these days will have a shelf life of often only one or two years.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) was introduced into UK law initially in 2006 and then updated in 2014 to try and reduce the amount of electric and electronic equipment that was ending up in landfill. Not only was this putting a strain on the landfill capabilities of the UK but also causing a number of dangerous chemical and minerals to potentially leak into the soil and contaminate both the land and our water supplies.

The WEEE Directive puts an onus on manufacturers and retailers to provide an accessible way and effective way of end users being able to safely, environmentally and ethically deal with their unwanted electronic equipment. However this doesn’t mean that you as a user don’t have an obligation to ensure that you are sending your unwanted equipment to the right place, rather than simply dumping it straight into landfill.

However this can actually be easier said than done for many people and businesses, as they simply don’t know all of the options that are open to them when it comes to getting rid of their old computer and IT equipment.

The simplest answer is to send your unwanted equipment to a professional computer recycling company, such as Buy IT Back. This will mean that you can:

1 – Actually earn money by recycling!

Buy IT Back are specialists in the recycling and refurbishing of component parts of outdated IT equipment. This means that they can actually make money from the correct environmental treatment of your old computers – a profit that they can pass on to you!

2 – Advertise that your business is WEEE compliant

Showing that you are consciously considering your responsibilities to the environment and ensuring that your computer equipment is being properly recycled can really help to promote your brand and can actually help to bring in further business.

3 – Support start-ups and charities

In many cases the equipment that Buy IT Back is asked to recycle is actually perfectly serviceable for organisations with lower tech needs (such as some start-ups and charities) than those who are upgrading from them. In these cases Buy IT Back can simply wipe and then refurbish your old equipment and provide it to these worthy causes at a fraction of their market rate.

So to see if you could actually get paid to do the right thing with your unwanted computers and other IT equipment, contact Buy IT Back today.

Mar 07
0

Top Tips For Choosing A Computer Recycling Company

By | Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling, Data Destruction | No Comments

As with so many things in life, not all computer recycling companies are created equal. So when it is time for you to upgrade to new equipment, but want to responsibly dispose of your old computing and telecoms hardware what are some of the most important factors to take into consideration?

Is the company WEEE compliant?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations (2013) became law in the UK on 1 January 2014 and replaced the WEEE Regulations 2006. These are concerned with the collection, recovery and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment, with targets being set for each of these.

In a nutshell this means that all electrical and electronic equipment is classed as hazardous waste and so must be disposed of in a safe and responsible manner so as not to add potentially hazardous waste to the environment. Here at Buy IT Back we were early adopters of the first set of WEEE regulations and continue to be strict followers of the revised 2013 regs. Through this length of experience we understand all of the subtle nuances of the directive and so you can be assured that any electronic equipment that we recycle is done in the most environmentally responsible manner possible.

How much equipment actually goes to landfill?

Unfortunately in some cases there are some pieces/components of electronic equipment that cannot be reused or recycled and so may need to go to a final disposal process, such as landfill or incineration. However the amounts that actually end up in landfill etc can vary significantly between different companies. At Buy IT Back we are committed to sending as little material to landfill as possible. Through our nearly 30 years in business we have built up a network of hundreds of avenues for the reuse or component recycling of all types of unwanted computer, IT and telecoms equipment.

Data treatment

Even if you believe that you have thoroughly deleted all of the information on your IT equipment before sending it for recycling, it is likely that traces of data will still remain. In this case it is imperative to have complete trust that the computer recycling company that you have chosen will securely and irreparably delete all data from your equipment before it is recycled or reconditioned. At Buy IT Back we are specialists in data destruction and so you can rest assured that all of your sensitive data will be completely secure.

Are you offered a buy back service?

Many computer recycling companies will charge you for utilising their service, however for many items of unwanted IT and telecoms equipment Buy IT Back are actually able to pay you for these items. This is because once they have been reconditioned they can be sold on, or even their component parts can be resold. It is only through having a long established network of contacts that Buy IT Back are able to find paying homes for some many complete or component parts of unwanted electronic equipment and so are usually able to offer a much more encompassing buy back service than many other computer recycling firms.

To find out more about our extensive buy back service for unwanted computer, IT, telecoms and other electronic equipment, contact Buy IT Back today.

Feb 18
0

Why Secure Data Destruction Is Important For Your Business

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

For many people as soon as you mention data protection and GDPR a large groan is emitted accompanied by much rolling of the eyes. However as a business or other organisation this should be a vitally important aspect of your day to day operations.

Whether your organisation involves storing client details, payment information, test results or anything else about your clients and the operation of your company, these must be kept completely securely and good data protection practices are not just a moral, but also a legal, requirement.

However this legal requirement does not just apply to data whilst you are using it, but also to the treatment of any IT and other computer hardware or electronic equipment that has been used to store data, when it comes to the end of its life.

If you have decided to move away from storing data on a solid state hard drive to the cloud or are simply upgrading to a new model, it is imperative that you ensure that all data is completely, securely and irretrievably erased. This is not only to protect you and your client’s online safety, but a data leak could cause irrevocable damage to your brand and reputation.

While it may be tempting to think that you can delete any data yourself, in many cases even taking a sledge hammer to a piece of equipment can still leave some data accessible (not to mention being incredibly dangerous!) and is also likely to leave you in breach of WEEE regulations.

So what are your options?

  1. You can pay a specialist data destruction company to come and professionally wipe all of your data before you then send it off for recycling.

OR

  1. You can contact Buy IT Back who are fully Blancco certified data destruction specialists and can also offer a Buy Back service for you unwanted IT and electronic equipment.

This means that not only will you have peace of mind that all of your data will be professionally deleted, but you can also rest assured that that your unwanted equipment will be recycled or disposed of to the highest environmental and ethical standards – and Buy IT Back are often able to pay you for doing this!

To find out more contact Buy IT back today.

Jan 02
0

Why Should You Recycle Your Old Computer Equipment?

By | Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling, Data Destruction | No Comments

At some point all organisations will need to upgrade their computer equipment. This could be every few months, every year or longer, depending on how important it is that you keep up to date with new technology, or depending on available budgets.

But what you should do with your old or redundant IT equipment can be a challenge for many businesses, schools or other organisations. The simple answer is to simply send it all to landfill, however this is not actually as easy as it seems. Therefore recycling your redundant computer equipment is a much more appealing prospect. But what is involved in recycling your old electronics and why should you choose Buy IT Back as your IT equipment recycling specialist?

  • Computers and many other types of electronic equipment are classed as hazardous waste by the UK Environmental Protection Agency and so cannot simply be sent straight to landfill, but must be disposed of following strict guidelines.
  • Even though 99% of the components in most computers and other pieces of IT equipment can be recycled, large numbers of these still end up in landfill each year, which is putting a significant strain on the UK refuse strategy.
  • Many of the components of redundant computer equipment can be reused in the manufacture of new IT products. This not only saves energy through the reduced manufacturing time required, but can also mean that the prices of these new products is lowered.
  • Numerous of the elements required to build new IT equipment are becoming increasingly rare natural resources, therefore recycling existing elements significantly reduces the environmental impact of electronic product production.
  • Many charities, start-ups, social enterprises and other smaller organisations do not have the necessary budget to buy brand new cutting edge IT equipment. However they could still do great things with an older, but still functioning models. Therefore by simply donating your old computer equipment you can be looking after the environment and doing a good thing for someone else at the same time.
  • It is imperative that when disposing of your unwanted IT equipment that your data is completely, securely and professionally deleted. Even if you think that you have erased your data, in many cases traces of it can still remain. However computer recycling specialists such as Buy IT Back can guarantee to fully erase all of your data, before professionally recycling the equipment and its components.

And if that isn’t enough reason for you to trust Buy IT Back with all of your computer and IT equipment recycling requirements – we will also pay you for the privilege!

As we are able to reuse and recycle the vast majority of all of your redundant electronics we are able to buy your old computers and IT equipment off you, thus offsetting some of the cost of your upgrade.

So to find out more about how computer recycling with Buy IT Back is the right choice for you and your organisation, contact us today.

Dec 19
0

Are You Upgrading Over Christmas?

By | Business, Computer Disposal, Computer Recycling | No Comments

With the wind down to the long Christmas break already upon us, many companies, businesses and organisations are planning on taking advantage of the holiday shut down to implement some much needed upgrades to their IT equipment and other electronics.

If you are one of these companies, have you thought about what to do with your soon to be redundant equipment?

There are many companies out there who offer a IT equipment recycling service. They will often come and collect your old equipment and take it away, before ensuring that any remaining data is securely erased. The equipment will then be stripped down and its components either reused or recycled, usually to the very highest of ecological standards.

However, whilst knowing that your old equipment will be being dealt with professionally and responsibly you will, also, being pay handsomely for this service.

However if you simply contact Buy IT Back we will take your old IT, computer and other electronic equipment, completely and irreversibly delete your data and then ensure that the equipment is recycled to the highest environmental standards and being fully compliant with current WEEE regulations – and we will pay you to do this!

As Buy IT Back are experts in electronic component reselling and recycling we are able to offset the cost of processing your redundant IT equipment and pass these profits on to you.

So if you want your company or organisation to start the new year with both a set of shiny new IT equipment and some shiny pounds in your pocket, then contact Buy IT Back today.

Providing IT Hardware, Data Security, Recycling & Residual Value Solutions For Over 30 Years Since 1992