How to Dispose of Printers and Multifunction Devices in a Certified Manner

Proper disposal of printers and multifunction devices must follow established standards to ensure environmental protection and legal compliance. Electronic equipment contains hazardous components that require special handling to avoid environmental impacts and public health risks. Below, we guide the process for certified disposal, based on current legislation and recommended practices.

Applicable Legislation and Technical Standards

The disposal of electronic equipment is primarily regulated by the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12,305/2010), which establishes guidelines for integrated management and environmentally appropriate waste management. This law determines shared responsibility for the product life cycle, including reincorporation and proper treatment. Additionally, Decree No. 10,936/2022 provides definitions and rules regarding reverse logistics, which must be observed in the disposal of these assets.

Technical standards from ABNT and guidelines from the National Solid Waste Management Information System (SINIR) also make up the framework for the proper handling of electronic waste, requiring segregation, transportation, and specific destination for toxic and reusable components.

Procedures for Certified Disposal

Certified disposal of printers and multifunction devices involves the following steps:

• Assessment and Inventory: Identify and record the equipment for control and tracking, an important component to comply with current legislation.
• Safe Collection and Transportation: Shipment must be carried out by licensed service providers with environmental certification, ensuring transportation integrity and preventing environmental contamination. It is recommended to hire specialized operators authorized for electronic waste collection scheduling.
• Sorting and Temporary Storage: In adequate infrastructure, perform segregation of components, isolating recyclable and hazardous parts according to technical standards.
• Refurbishment and Recycling: Equipment or reusable parts must undergo refurbishment processes. Irreparable components should be sent for recycling at authorized facilities.
• Final Disposal and Environmentally Appropriate Destination: Non-recoverable waste must be disposed of in accordance with environmental standards, avoiding disposal in common landfills to mitigate soil and water contamination risks.

Data Elimination Security

Multifunction printers may store sensitive data in their memory or internal hard drives. It is essential to perform secure sanitization of these media to ensure information protection and compliance with the General Data Protection Law (Law No. 13,709/2018). Certified procedures include cryptographic or physical destruction of the media, preventing inadvertent exposure of confidential data.

Final Recommendations and Compliance

It is recommended to document all steps of the process, generating reports and certifications to attest compliance with disposal requirements. Equipment traceability provides legal security and environmental sustainability. Hiring accredited service providers and complying with ABNT standards and competent environmental agencies are imperative for legitimate disposal.

For more information and scheduling specialized collection, use resources available on certified platforms.