Recycling is the buzz word of the 21st Century, with everyone eager to prove their green credentials and help cut carbon emissions. And when it comes to disposing of old or redundant computers it is no different; whether you run a business or you have equipment at home it's all about computer recycling! But, it's much more than ensuring that you look to be doing the right thing; refurbishing and recycling computers forms a very important part of a sustainable waste strategy. It is also an effective way of ensuring that computers are re-used in a socially responsible manner within the UK or used to aid Third World development as they can also be exported to countries in need.

Following the introduction of the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) EEC Directive which became effective in the UK on 2 January 2007, the disposal of computers is now strictly regulated. Disposing of old computers also makes good business sense. Most computer recycling firms will pick up your old equipment for free, if you are replacing it or it was sold to you after 13 August 2005 and/or you are replacing it with new equivalent equipment. You will have to pay for disposal if the equipment you are disposing of is not to be replaced. There are also other occasions when you must pay for disposal, if in doubt you should contact a reputable computer disposal company who will be able to advise you of your legal obligations.

As well as giving sound advice the computer disposal company can arrange to remove your equipment. They will also ensure that all information held on the computer memory is permanently wiped from the hard disks and will provide an audit report showing exactly what has happened to your equipment; how it has been processed and where it has gone. So, whether it has been recycled and sent out to other locations or totally destroyed it will be listed on your audit report.

If you do not want to use a commercial company for your computer disposal organisations such as Oxfam will collect unwanted but working computers from businesses in Great Britain. They refurbish the machines and sell them on using the profits to support their charity work. However, you must make sure that you delete all your sensitive information before releasing the machines, and you won't get a full audit report, but you will have done your bit for the third world!

Although the WEEE regulations became law on 1 January 2007, the phasing of the legislation means that recycling of household goods will not be covered until 1 July 2007. But, businesses are now liable so you must be aware of the regulations as they affect your business and your liability when it comes to the disposal of your computer and electrical equipment.

It is up to you to ensure that your business recycles computers in an environmentally friendly way, whether through a commercial organisation or through a charitable donation. Either way you will be helping do your bit to make this world a greener and better place.