• legislative compliance
• environmental accreditations

it disposal and the environment

Protecting our planet is a major priority for all of us.

Dealing with Re-Tek ensures you are choosing the most environmentally friendly form of IT disposal, supporting the environmental and ethical policies of your organisation. Re-Tek aim to re-market as much of the material we receive as possible, only recycling when the equipment is non functional or has no market value.

UN Study Advises Re-Use - Quickly!

The WEEE Directive advises that re-use is the best form of PC & IT Equipment Disposal. You can see why when you read the results of a United Nations University study into the environmental impact of personal computers.

The study found that the average desktop computer with monitor requires at least 10 times its weight in fossil fuels and chemicals to manufacture - much more materials intensive than a car or fridge which require 1-2 times their weight in fossil fuels. The manufacturing process uses a total of 1.8 tonnes of materials.

The study concluded that, by far the best way to minimize impact on the environment from a personal computer, is to extend its useful life. 'If the machine is replaced, donating the old computer so that it may continue to be used offers potential energy savings of between five and 20 times those gained by recycling' said Eric Williams, a researcher at the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo and one of the report's co-authors. 'We believe no computer should go to waste," he said. "The ultimate solution is to reuse the computer... for parts or on the second-hand market."

When it comes to replacing equipment there is one piece of advice that Williams offers both private and corporate users: do something with your old machine quickly. "The longer it sits in your closet (or desk), the less value it will be to you and whoever will be getting it."

Re-tek's IT disposal methods are environmentally sound; ethical as well as economical.