Environmental stewardship is by definition, the protection of the natural environment through sustainable practices. This is something that we should all be striving for whether in business or personally.
One of the ways that businesses of all sizes achieve this is through their CSR goals, which connect business activities to corporate, social, and environmental policies. Both the environmental and social policies can be achieved, in part at least, by responsible IT disposal and that’s what this blog and the work of Computer Aid is all about.
What does environmental stewardship mean in practice?
When a company takes hold of its environmental stewardship commitments, it pledges to recognise and acknowledge its environmental impact and take steps to reverse or at least balance that impact.
One of the biggest issues that companies of all sizes feed is the rise in e-waste, with responsible IT disposal one of the most effective ways in which these companies can help to balance their environmental impact.
This is because, when computers and IT equipment are not disposed of in a way which is deemed responsible, they contribute towards the growing piles of e-waste in landfill sites around the world. Aside from causing a blot on the landscape, the impact these landfill sites have at ground level is not good.
Computers and IT equipment that end up in landfills do not break down sustainably, they disintegrates and leaks hazardous chemicals and materials in the surrounding ground, habitats, and waterways.
Environmental stewardship underpins a responsibility to understand this process and take steps to avoid it, by finding alternative methods for disposal.
What is responsible IT disposal and what does it involve?
Responsible IT disposal doesn’t just mean finding an environmentally friendly place to dispose of unwanted devices and computers. It can mean finding an alterative that contributes to corporate and charitable goals.
One of the best methods of responsible IT disposal is device and equipment donation. Through this avenue, devices that are no longer used in offices and by consumers are sent to a sorting facility, where all data is wiped, and the devices are refurbished to optimum working order. Those that can be used again are sent to communities and institutes where they are most needed bridging the global digital divide and giving these devices a new lease of life. Those devices that cannot be reused are disposed off sustainably and safely.
The impact that this method of IT disposal has is huge. It directly connects donors with those who are most in need of IT equipment, delivering regular impact statements and updates to both individual and corporate donors for the benefit of their CSR and environmental stewardship.
Which brings us onto the eco credentials that come from responsible IT disposal and how organisations like Computer Aid connect the charitable donation with the CSR goals and other corporate requirements.
How Computer Aid helps businesses prove their eco credentials
When you donate devices to Computer Aid, we keep you in touch with the impact of your donation for as long as you want.
As soon as devices are received at the sorting facility, they are wiped of any remaining data to help bolster your corporate and social governance goals. Then, as well as the charitable side of the donation and its contribution towards your social goals, the recycling element of the donation and the decision to give devices a second life has a huge impact on corporate environmental goals.
Computer Aid is just the stepping stone in supporting your company’s goals. The act of donation is what really drives forward your eco credentials and CSR goals.
Donating computers to Computer Aid
If you’d like to donate a set of computers or devices to Computer Aid, to help us bridge the digital divide while also doing your bit for environmental stewardship, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
You can also browse the various case studies on our website to learn more about past donations and where devices have already been received and put to good use.