Microsoft have announced that they will end the support of their operating system Windows XP on April 8th 2014. This means that from this date, Microsoft, will no longer provide technical assistance and automatic updates which keep the operating system secure. This has prompted a surge in computer recycling, as seen by Pure Planet Recycling over the last few months.
For the last 11 years, business and personal users have relied on Windows XP for its reliability and easy to use features. Although newer versions of Windows have been released, some users have continued to use XP for it’s ease of use and because of the cost of upgrading.
Microsoft are now encouraging the upgrade to operating systems to the two most recent versions, being Windows 7 and Windows 8. On newer equipment it can be as simply as upgrading the software and reloading the users data, however older computers may not support these operating systems. In the main, this is due to the fact the operating systems demand more resources on a computer and device drives may not exist to operate all hardware. The knock on effect is that more and more older computers will be recycled as a result of the upgrade.
Over the last few months, Pure Planet Recycling has been discussing the support withdrawal with many customers to devise a recycling plan for their older equipment. Upgrading the odd computer is quite simple, however many of our customers will be upgrading hundreds of computers in readiness for April’s deadline. This has proved to be a major project to seamlessly upgrade the old equipment, train staff and deal with the disposal of the old computer equipment. We have noticed an increase in the amount of older computer equipment being recycled as a result of this support withdrawal and expect this to increase further in the New Year. This will be an industry wide effect with more and more companies looking to dispose of old hardware to recycling companies.
Businesses are encouraged to find reputable companies to handle their end of life IT equipment. There are many factors to consider when assessing a computer recycling company from the many available. Key factors are;
- A reputable computer recycling company will be licensed with the Environment Agency, for a waste management permit and waste carriers certificate. The company may also be an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF) for electrical waste. Evidence of these licenses should be available on request.
- The destruction of data held on hard drives should be part of any computer recycling service. This may include the scanning of serial numbers and logging of any equipment asset codes. You should receive certification to prove that the destruction has taken place. Some companies may provide an on site destruction service of hard drives.
- Due to the waste hierarchy and best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques , companies should provide details of what will happen to your equipment. This is important as you, the original owner of the equipment has a duty of care to ensure your equipment is disposed of appropriately.
Pure Planet Recycling offer a secure and licensed computer recycling service, please call us on 01234 315496 to discuss further. If you wish to find out more on the withdrawal of support please see the Windows XP section of the Microsoft website.
