1.4 Removal/Disposal/Recycling

Basics

In some buildings and districts, the process for the collection and disposal of technology resources has already been established. Level 1 techs should understand these processes and their roles in implementing them. It is important to determine how technology disposal processes can mirror existing curriculum resource processes to eliminate redundancy. 

You should know the following terms:

  • Disposal
  • eWaste (electronic waste)
  • Storage

Disposing of Devices

At the building level, it may become the responsibility of a Level 1 Tech’s Supervisor to manage the collection and storage of technology designated for disposal. Just when is a device ready to be designated for disposal?

One simple guideline is to determine whether the cost of repairing a device would outweigh purchasing a new one. Devices that can no longer be updated to current operating systems, can’t run the most current versions of adopted software, or can’t access cloud-based resources are candidates for disposal because they pose a security risk. Of course, devices with significant physical damage may be candidates for disposal as are devices that have exceeded their lifetime expectancy. In business fields, three years is a common lifetime expectancy of a device like a computer, but in schools sometimes those are stretched a couple or even more years. Know your system’s device renewal policy.

When it’s necessary to dispose of devices, it is important to work with building-level administration to create a timeline to collect, possibly store, and ultimately dispose of technology in a way that does not conflict with instruction or assessment needs. 

Just as with deployment, it is also critical to determine how the collection process will be structured. Will it happen by classroom, grade level, or by student? How will collections occur for students absent on designated days? Where will the collection occur? Do you have adequate storage space for devices until they are disposed of? How will technology be audited for damage?

Recycling Electronic Waste (eWaste)

As digital devices have become less expensive and school systems have been purchasing them en masse, the amount of eWaste is quickly becoming one of the largest sources of waste. IT Departments can consider an eWaste recycling plan in order to reduce the amount of waste, including hazardous waste found in many computing devices. Writing for District Administration, Jessica Leigh Brown notes that recycling eWaste in North America comes with a cost, but that some of the materials in eWaste may be valuable enough to offset this cost. Electronic devices can contain valuable raw metals, such as gold, copper, aluminum, cobalt, indium, antimony, and palladium. 

Your school system may consider working with a certified eWaste recycler. Proper eWaste disposal separates materials in devices, like plastic and ceramic materials, so that they do not end up in landfills. These materials do not decompose easily. Brown cautions to be sure to use a recycling service that is certified by the National Association for Information Destruction because devices can still contain sensitive information even if you think you’ve erased them.

Here are additional resources you may find useful:

Complete the following task or self-assessment:

Know how devices are disposed of in your school or district. If not already written down, consider creating a checklist or a list of guidelines for device disposal at the school or IT Department level. You can also create a Knowledge Base article or FAQ document that others can access over time.  

Identify where damaged and outdated equipment might be housed until it is disposed of or recycled. Do you have a closet, warehouse, or designated space designed to store damaged and dated equipment? If no space is designated, speak with your administration to determine a safe and secure location for storing new and old equipment.

Understand your district’s method for tracking and auditing equipment designated for repair and disposal. If there isn’t one, consider developing one with other members of your department.  Be sure you know how staff and students are made aware of the reasons and processes for removing technology.

If your school system works with a certified eWaste recycler, find out their requirements for preparing devices. Do the devices need to be scrubbed first? Do you need any special tools or bins? Do you need to remove batteries? Can all of the devices be recycled together or do they need to be separated? Create a checklist for proper recycling of eWaste.