Electronic Waste Disposal in Small Businesses: How to Organize Without Cost

Introduction to Electronic Equipment Disposal

Managing the disposal of electronic equipment in small organizations requires attention to regulatory standards and recommended environmental practices. Improper disposal can cause environmental impacts, as well as legal implications according to the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12,305/2010).

Applicable Legal Standards

Law No. 12,305/2010 establishes guidelines for solid waste management, emphasizing selective collection and environmentally appropriate destination. Furthermore, Decree No. 10,936/2022 regulates the reverse logistics of electronic equipment, mandating the correct handling of these materials.

Cost-Free Disposal Organization

To promote safe disposal without additional costs, it is possible to adopt internal measures combined with resources offered by public agencies and environmental partners. An efficient approach includes:

• Mapping the volume and type of electronic waste: Identifying devices to be discarded to adapt the process;
• Taking advantage of public electronic waste collection programs: Utilizing collection opportunities offered by government and specialized entities, scheduling through efficient electronic waste collection in compliance with regulations;
• Secure data sanitization: For media such as hard drives, adopting recognized data elimination processes through destruction or secure overwriting techniques, with the option to schedule professional service at hard drive sanitization to avoid legal risks and data leaks;
• Properly separating and storing: Keeping waste in an appropriate and identified location for final collection;
• Training employees: Providing training to raise awareness about procedures and the importance of proper disposal;
• Documenting processes: Maintaining records of actions for audits and compliance verification.

Use of Official Resources

Agencies such as the National Solid Waste Management Information System (SINIR) provide support and updated data on procedures and certified collection units (sinir.gov.br).

CETESB offers specific guidelines on disposal and recycling, available for consultation at cetesb.sp.gov.br, assisting in environmental compliance.

Final Considerations

The practice of responsible disposal, combined with compliance with current legislation, ensures sustainability, avoids fines, and contributes to reducing environmental impact. For small organizations, using public and free channels, as well as properly sorting and storing equipment, is essential for an efficient and safe process.