Digital Waste: What to Do with Old Cables, Mice, and Keyboards?

Introduction to Digital Waste

The improper disposal of electronic devices such as old cables, mice, and keyboards constitutes an environmental and security problem. Digital waste contains components that can impact human health and the environment if not handled according to current regulations. Brazilian legislation, through the National System of Information on Solid Waste Management (SINIR) and the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12,305/2010), regulates the proper disposal of these materials.

Legislation and Standards for Disposal

Federal legislation establishes shared responsibility among generators, transporters, and recipients of electronic waste. Proper disposal must comply with the SINIR legislation and the environmental procedures indicated by CETESB (Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo). Article 9 of Law No. 12,305/2010 emphasizes the importance of environmentally appropriate treatment of residues, avoiding contamination and promoting recycling.

Safe Disposal Procedures

Items such as cables, mice, and keyboards contain heavy metals and plastics that can be recycled. Disposal must be carried out by specialized services capable of segregating and reusing the parts. For this, scheduling the electronic waste collection is the appropriate solution, ensuring traceability and accountability.

Sanitization and Disposal of Storage Media

In the case of devices containing storage media, such as HDDs associated with keyboards or wireless mice with transmission components, data security is a fundamental concern. Secure sanitization through specialized companies can be scheduled via safe media disposal, ensuring that sensitive information is destroyed by recognized technical methods, according to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) recommendations.

Importance of Recycling and Reuse

Recycling electronic components contributes to sustainable development and minimizes environmental impact. Recovered plastics, metals, and electronic devices participate in the industrial reuse cycle. Mapping the flows and strategic planning for proper disposal must meet SINIR-defined parameters and be carried out in compliance with current environmental laws.

Conclusion

The correct disposal of old cables, mice, and keyboards is a process that involves specific legislation, technical decontamination procedures, and recycling routes. The use of specialized platforms for electronic waste collection and secure media sanitization is recommended to comply with environmental standards and ensure information security.