The Executive’s Daily Green Briefing

November 25, 2008

Tips On Dealing With IT Equipment After Layoffs

usedit.jpgCitigroup recently eliminated 52,000 jobs - just one of the large companies slimming down on their operations. This has forced IT departments to deal with hundreds and even thousands of desktops and notebooks that are no longer in use, eWeek.com reports.

Here’s advice on what to do with extra IT equipment:

1. Companies should be aware of their refresh cycle if and when layoffs are announced, this helps reduce the amount of extra IT equipment when the economy is unstable.
2. Repurpose the machines for other tasks or assign IT equipment to other employees who may have older PCs.
3. IT departments that decide to dispose of older PCs could look into companies that offer recovery, recycling and disposal services such as Dell, Hewleet-Packard, IBM, Intechra and Redemtech. These services can also completely destroy PCs if there is concern about security and data being compromised.
4. IT departments could also donate unwanted PCs to charity. One bonus is that companies that do so may be able to claim a tax credit.

Many companies such as Best Buy, Dell, Lenovo, National Instruments, Office Depot, Sharp and Toshiba, also offer free e-waste recycling programs.

ADVERTISERS

Join the Discussion

Comments

The world is different today compared to the past (compared to even just a year ago). The constant march of technology makes it possible for a smaller work force to do virtually the same job as a larger workforce. As white collar employees are handed pink slips, an employer like a bank (Citigroup) or a brokerage may be prudent to generously retain their e-mail records. The records are a valuable asset to the employer, relating to intellectual property, project management, customer relationships and more. –Ben http://legal-beagle.typepad.com/wrights_legal_beagle/2008/10/retain-e-mail-of-former-employees.html

well, it’s not as simple as doing more with less people. In fact I think that technology can’t replace the necessary amount of people. Companies usually aren’t thinking efficiency when they lay off thousands of people, they’re thinking it’s a financial necessity, or they can be replaced with cheaper offshore talent, or both. We could only hope that efficiency is in mind, but even if it was then it would be a surprise to me if there was any kind of measurement of the effect on productivity, instrinsic knowledge, morale, or any other vital non-financial metric. I think these layoff rounds are bandaids.

And we’ve moved along files and emails when former workers have moved. No one has time or patience to reference a huge bundle of someone else’s materials.

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

In a study of consumer opinions of marketing claims, survey respondents identified most ...

click to view full size chart »

WWF Ranks US 7th Among G8 on Climate Scorecard
Growth of Global Carbon Emissions Cut in Half
Electricity, Heat, Transportation Cause 60% of Emissions

Today's News

Carbon Management IS Information Management

Carbon Management IS Information Management

For most organizations today, sophisticated carbon management is simply not possible. At best, ... continue »

The Hope Behind The Holes In The Climate Bill
Energy Costs Rising, Regulations Imminent - Are You Ready?
Energy - It Just Doesn’t Add Up
FTC on Greenwashing: Is That All There Is?
Shaklee Discusses its Green Strategies

Shaklee Discusses its Green Strategies

Shaklee Corp. was recognized recently ...

click to view video »

Sprint Tackles Data Center Improvements
Building a Bridge from Recycled Plastics
The Netherlands Ponders Floating City Architecture
Popular Topics

Marketing

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

Green Seal Adds First U.S. Standard for Personal Care Products

Show Sustainability Sales Success to Climb Corporate Ranks

Emissions

Cisco Wants to Transform Energy Demand and Use with Smart Buildings

Sony Europe Goes to 100% Renewable Energy

EPA Approves California Emissions Waiver

Hi-Tech

Sony Ericsson Joins Nokia, Samsung as ‘Greener’ Electronics Makers

Online Calculator Gauges IT Data Center Costs and Carbon Footprint

Microsoft Reduces Windows 7 Packaging

Efficiency

Black & Veatch HQ to Showcase Sustainability

Raytheon Meets Green Goals with IT Help

Yahoo! Dropping Carbon Offsets for Greener Data Centers

Manufacturing

Electronics Firms Face Off Against Mandated Recycling Programs

Leading Mobile Phone Makers Agree to Develop Universal Charger

Panasonic Cuts Manufacturing Emissions With Simulation Tech

Carbon Offsets/RECs

Sustainable Agriculture Requires Farm Modernization, Free Markets, Tech Adoption

Audi Promotes Clean Diesel via Facebook, Carbon Offsets

CBO: Cap-And-Trade to Cost $175 Per Household

CSR Reports

SAB Miller Targets 25% Reduction in Water Used in Brewing

Molson Coors Cuts CO2 Emissions by 12%

Successful Design in CSR Reporting, Part 2

Major Players

Fuel Cell Systems to Power 30% of Coca-Cola NY Facility

Australia Joins Carbon Reduction Label Scheme

CSX to Cut CO2 Emissions by 8%

See All Topics »