How to Avoid Environmental Liabilities That Arise Years After IT Disposal

Introduction

Proper management of information technology (IT) waste is essential to prevent environmental liabilities that may arise years after the disposal of these devices. Non-compliance with environmental regulations and improper disposal can lead to soil and water contamination and negative impacts on public health.

Applicable Legislation

The disposal of electronic waste is regulated by the National Solid Waste Policy, according to Law No. 12,305/2010, which establishes shared responsibility for the product life cycle and the need for environmentally appropriate waste disposal. Furthermore, the National System of Information on Solid Waste Management (SINIR) standardizes procedures for managing this waste, as outlined on the sinir.gov.br website.

Environmental Risks Associated with Improper Disposal

IT equipment contains toxic materials and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can contaminate soil and water resources if improperly disposed of. Failure to properly treat this waste enables the formation of environmental liabilities that may emerge years later, manifesting through environmental damage and high costs for remediation.

Recommended Processes to Minimize Liabilities

To mitigate these risks, adopting specialized technical procedures is indispensable:

• Proper collection and treatment: Use certified electronic waste collection services to ensure technical waste disposal.
• Secure media sanitization: For disposal of storage devices, use secure hard drive and media disposal processes, ensuring data protection and avoiding environmental risks.
• Documentation and traceability: Keep detailed records of waste movements and treatments, as required by Decree No. 10,936/2022 and CONAMA Resolution No. 401/2008, which regulate the environmentally appropriate management of electronic waste.

Responsibility and Control

Liability for environmental liabilities is joint between waste generators and recipients. Therefore, implementing internal audit and control procedures, aligned with compliance with current legislation, is essential to avoid fines and administrative sanctions.

Conclusion

Improper disposal of IT equipment can result in environmental liabilities that only manifest years after the fact, causing significant environmental damage and legal implications. The adoption of certified collection and disposal practices, secure sanitization, rigorous documentation, and compliance with specific legislation forms the foundation for preventing future environmental liabilities.