A week before 2022, Walmart was sued over the improper disposal of e-waste and hazardous materials, and it turns out this was not its first offense.
Back in 2010, the retailer had already paid $25 million due to the violation of disposal laws but the company now found itself facing the same charges again.
According to the lawsuit, the state’s inspection allegedly found hazardous waste, medical waste, and identifiable customer records that can be traced back to the retailer from 2015 to 2021.
However, Walmart is only a small fraction of this e-waste problem. Many other enterprises like Walgreens, Big Lots, and Ford have also failed to take part in proper e-waste management.
Not to mention, the problem further exacerbates with the growing use of electronic devices as fueled by the lifestyle of people continuously upgrading to the latest, best product.
Based on the Global E-Waste Monitor 2020 report, the world has thrown out 53.6 million metric tons of waste in 2019. And for a better perspective, that is the same weight as 350 cruise ships in just one year.
What is E-Waste?
E-waste (also known as electronic waste) refers to any electronic devices or products that are broken, outdated, or simply unwanted. Mobile phones, laptops, and tablets are the most common examples of e-waste. But generally, the term covers any discarded item that has an electronic circuit or battery.
Though many classify e-waste based on sources, i.e. household and industrial, it can also be further divided into categories based on function, size, and material composition.
To better illustrate, here are the 10 types of e-waste:
Large appliances: Washing machines, dishwashers, electronic stoves, etc.
Small appliances: Microwaves, vacuum cleaners, electric razors, etc.
Consumer electronics: Music players, radios, speakers, etc.
Lightning equipment: Fluorescent lamps, LED lamps, flashlights, etc.
Temperature exchange equipment: Refrigerators, air conditioner, heater, etc.
Computer and telecommunication devices: Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc.
Medical devices: Electronic thermometer, heart rate monitors, electrocardiograms, etc.
Monitoring and control instruments: Smoke detectors, thermostats, fire sprinkler, etc.
Electrical parts and components: Motor, circuit board, etc.
Vending machines: Drinking machines, coffee, snacks, etc.
The Dangers of Improper E-Waste Disposal
The negative effects of e-waste is endless. However, a lesser-known risk from the improper disposal of electronic devices is the danger of data breach.
E-waste is toxic. It is non-biodegradable and contains heavy metal components such as lead, mercury, lithium, and barium that can contaminate the environment.
The consequences of improper e-waste disposal in landfills or non-dumping sites can bring adverse impacts to the ecosystem, animals, and people for generations to come.
Air pollution from burning e-waste creates irreversible damage to the ecosystem as these toxins end up in our soil, water, and air.
Soil contamination then affects crops and water acidification can kill marine and freshwater organisms. A person exposed to toxic e-waste can suffer from damage to the immune system, miscarriages, and chronic diseases like cancer.
The negative effects are an endless cycle. However, another lesser-known risk from the improper disposal of electronic devices is the danger of data breach.
E-Waste is a Cybersecurity Problem, Too
Highly-sensitive data can be at risk if companies don't dispose of their devices in the right way.
With most goods and services online nowadays, many businesses have large volumes of IT assets that are stored on smartphones and computer systems.
No modern business can function without data. We depend on it to run our business operations, and as such, it becomes a priceless commodity to be protected.
When deciding to upgrade the technology and dispose of old computer systems, smartphones, and tablets, all this highly-sensitive data can be at risk if companies are not disposing of their devices in the right way.
You can’t just put it into the bin or remove it by trashing your files.
Because while a deleted file may be inaccessible to the end-user on the business device, the information still remains on the device’s hard drive and can be accessed with the right methods.
Morgan Stanley, a global leader in financial services had an expensive $60 million lesson when 15 million current and former clients' data was breached.
This bank sold its servers and hardware to recyclers without properly wiping the information or dismantling the hardware that contained sensitive customer data.
In the end, sensitive personally identifiable information of clients including their name, account number, asset value, social security number, passport number, and more was exposed.
Despite the $60 million settlement for negligent data handling, the bank still faces at least 2-class action lawsuits for data breaches that are still ongoing.
But let’s face it. Most companies don’t really consider the electronic assets they discarded or do a thorough qualification check on the agents they hire for handling these assets.
In doing so, these companies can get into a lot of trouble.
There is no statute of limitations for improperly discarded electronic assets and organisations are liable for any past actions that did not adhere to proper IT disposal practices.
Yes, regardless of how it is handled, all businesses are held responsible for how they handle their e-waste and customer information.
The equipment at Morgan Stanley, for example, though discarded through a recycler four years ago, is still held responsible for the data breach.
In any event, it is important for organisations to have a comprehensive ITAD strategy in place that covers all electrical devices and equipment.
ITAD mitigates the risk arising from data security, disposal compliance, and environmental responsibility.
How to Handle E-Waste Properly: ITAD Processes
ITAD, short for IT Asset Disposition, is an industry practice built around the proper disposal of IT equipment and hardware as it reaches the end of its lifespan.
The process primarily focuses on dealing with technology assets such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, personal computers, and cloud equipment in a way that mitigates the risk arising from data security, disposal compliance, and environmental responsibility.
This usually involves repairing, repurposing, reusing, recycling or disposing of a piece of electronic equipment in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Let’s get into the details.
1. Secure Data Destruction
ITAD providers follow the best practices for thorough data deletion that ensure complete data erasure on information bearing devices.
All storage devices are either degaussed, shredded, or sanitised to the highest data wiping and erasure standards. Following the destruction process, the data is rendered irretrievable by anyone who later comes into possession of the technology.
2. Value Recovery
IT asset disposition is not about disposal, it is about prolonging the useful life of the asset and maximising value from discarded assets.
This usually means repairing the device, reconfiguring it, refurbishing it for reuse or selling it to recover some financial value. Most professional ITAD services will also offer to take obsolete equipment off your hands and give you the best possible resale value.
3. Responsible Recycling
For IT assets that are beyond economic repair, disassembling starts to retrieve salvageable components. These components and remaining materials can then be sorted and sent to respective recycling partners.
4. Sustainable Disposal
The last step of any secured ITAD process is to destroy retired IT assets that are no longer of use in a sustainable manner.
Make sure to engage with a trusted ITAD partner that has the resources and facilities to meet specific compliance guidelines.
Why SPW?
Whether you are an international corporation or a small online business, as responsible global citizens, we should never carelessly throw away our IT assets.
Safely destroying electrical equipment takes careful attention. You can do it on your own, but working with ITAD process experts means you have a partner that will ensure a clean break without any headaches.
Ideally, you want to look for a service that is able to guide companies through the host of compliance and risk-minimisation issues in proper disposition.
SPW is a professional business providing the full IT asset disposition process from secure data erasure and value recovery to environmentally sustainable recycling.
Our company has been in business for the past 20 years and have experience working with Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Our facilities have the capability to process over 500,000 assets every year and can help you with your ITAD process no matter where you are.
But most importantly, our team at SPW understands the challenges that organisations face when dealing with the disposal of IT equipment.
Contact us to learn how you can incorporate an ITAD strategy into your business today.
We Have Your Back
Our secure IT asset disposal services provides the dependable solution you need for your e-waste and end-of-life asset needs. Our team applies safe and sustainable steps that are regulatory-compliant at every stage of the process.
From the point of collection, auditing, shredding and/or wiping to remarketing and/or donating your IT assets, you can be sure with our end-to-end services that we take your security seriously.
We have coverage against the loss of or damage to your goods during transportation. This includes marine cargo shipment from the ports to the warehouses
Our professional team of asset removers ensure your devices are packed safely into our vehicles which are also equipped with GPS-tracking systems. We have armed our warehouses with fingerprint-only access complete with security alarms and 24/7 CCTVs in place
Our reach spans across the globe through our networks of partners and vendors. Wherever your business is based, you can leverage our worldwide network and we would be happy to assist you throughout your ITAD journey
SPW is Asia's go-to solutions provider for data destruction, data erasure, IT asset remarketing, and environmentally-responsible IT asset disposals. Contact us and learn how you can incorporate an ITAD strategy into your business today.
