2.2.1 environmental concerns

Most communities have laws that dictate which materials you can and can't put into the common trash.
Environmental laws vary from state to state; always check local laws for directives on handling batteries, printer cartridges, monitors, and PCs.
Follow organization policies and refer to the MSDS for disposal methods.

Proper battery disposal can be confusing because guidelines vary for different battery types.
In most states, alkaline batteries can be thrown in regular trash, but in some states (e.g., California), they are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of through household hazardous waste collection for special recycling.
Laptop/notebook batteries are typically lithium ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries usually last only about $2 \text{ to } 3 \text{ years}$ , so support staff often replaces them frequently.
It is illegal in most communities to throw these batteries in the regular trash because they contain toxic chemicals and must be disposed of per local regulations.
Action steps:
- Contact your local environmental management office to see if a recycling facility is available.
- If there isn’t a facility, ask what they recommend for disposal instead of trash disposal.
- Do not dump old batteries in the trash.

Printers cartridges go dry or run out of toner; empty cartridges should be recycled.
Organizations with many printers will accumulate a lot of empty cartridges quickly.
Some manufacturers offer take-back programs: they accept empty cartridges, refill them, and resell them.
Benefits of recycling cartridges:
- Reduces landfill waste.
- Provides manufacturers with a cheaper product.
- Provides users with cheaper cartridges.
Price note: recycled printer cartridges can often be purchased for about half the price of a brand-new cartridge.

LCD, plasma, and CRT monitors are considered hazardous waste.
They can leak lead and other toxic chemicals; disposal in landfills is often illegal.
CRT monitors can retain a large electrical charge even after unplugged from power.
Capacitor inside CRT monitors can hold a substantial AC charge, potentially up to $2 \times 10^4 \text{ volts}$ , which can cause a dangerous shock if touched.

A common irony: a computer system bought a year ago for thousands of dollars may be worth substantially less today.
As a PC support tech, you’ll likely need to dispose of many old PC systems; do not throw them in the trash.
Like batteries and monitors, improper disposal is often illegal.
Action steps:
- Discharge and recycle the desktop power supply when disposing of a system.
- There are often precious metals inside (gold, silver, etc.) that can be recycled.
- Recycling companies will extract these metals and may pay you for your old systems, though payments are usually modest.
Always check local environmental management office for disposal laws and available recyclers.
Refer to your organization’s MSDS for preferred disposal methods for batteries, printer cartridges, monitors, and PCs.

Computers don’t function well if kept too cold, too hot, too humid, or too dry.
Poor environmental conditions can reduce a network component’s lifespan and reliability.
Heat: The hotter equipment runs, the faster it ages and degrades; extreme heat can destroy hardware.
Cooling: Use internal fans and cooling systems to maintain temperatures inside laptops and PCs, and monitor office/server room data.
Temperature guideline: aim for $T \approx 68^{\circ}\mathrm{F}$ ; cooler temperatures can be better in server rooms/data centers with many systems.
Humidity: Computers operate within a defined humidity range; monitor organization humidity.
Effects of humidity:
- Too much humidity leads to condensation, damaging electronics.
- Too little humidity increases electrostatic discharge risk.
Humidity target: usually around $H \in [40\%, 60\%]$ .

A clean computer is important; dust buildup can slow or stop mechanical parts and cause overheating.
Cleaning methods:
- Prefer compressed air or a non-static computer vacuum to remove dust from inside the computer.
- A damp cloth with mild soap can be used occasionally.
Cautions:
- Do not use strong solvent-based cleaners on devices, especially monitors, as they can cause discoloration, damage, and buildup.
- Always turn off power before cleaning or getting any liquid near electrical devices.
MSDS guidance: refer to your organization's MSDS for preferred cleaning solutions before starting.

Before disposal, check local laws and use a recycler approved by the local environmental office.
Do not rely on trash disposal for batteries, cartridges, monitors, or PCs.
When in doubt, contact your local environmental management office for guidance.
Keep MSDS available for disposal procedures and cleaning instructions.

MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet.
Use MSDS to determine preferred disposal methods for:
- Batteries
- Printer cartridges
- Monitors
- PCs
MSDS also informs safe cleaning products and procedures.

Environmental stewardship: responsible disposal reduces pollution and conserves resources.
Economic and practical aspects: recycling can reduce costs (e.g., recycled cartridges) and provide some monetary returns from old systems, though payments are typically modest.
Regulatory compliance: noncompliance with disposal laws can lead to legal issues and penalties.
Professional responsibility: as a PC technician, you play a key role in minimizing environmental impact through proper handling and recycling of components.

2.2.1 environmental concerns ￼