Disposing of office waste

sjr4x4 · #1 (**permalink**) 18-03-10, 03:56 PM

In the corner of our office, we have had a dead Air Con unit for about 8 months, which is now becoming a feature!

I've had run in's with our local tip before about office waste, and managed to blagg it as household, but I know I won't get away with it with this big lump of metal.

Other than hoping a rag and bone man happens to wonder by, how does anyone else get rid of any office scrap/waste? Or do I stop being tight, phone up the council and put my hand in my pocket

VirtuallyMary · #2 (**permalink**) 18-03-10, 04:26 PM

I think it's hand in pocket time.

That said, I can't see why an aircon unit would have to necessarily be office waste. It *could* be household. Although obviously this one isn't and It Would Be Wrong to say that it was.

Mike will tell us off if we go with my first idea which was to take it apart and see if any bits look interesting/useful and put the other bits in the bin as and when they fit.

Stavros · #3 (**permalink**) 18-03-10, 04:48 PM

Why not stick in the wagon and take it to the WEE furb pile at the local tip.

I binned a load of old computers that way recently. I was glad to see that they would recycled and put to good use.

sjr4x4 · #4 (**permalink**) 18-03-10, 04:49 PM

Without turning into a rant, we do have a limping Glaswegian former NCP carpark attendant "ye canne park that there" running the local tip.

Trying to explain I was a nerd, and the 3 old PC's, server, 2 routers and a switch were from my home and not office was hard work. It ended up with my card being marked and promised body searches on any future visits.

Then of course the 4x4 (which we need to fit the air con unit into) will be classed as a commercial vehicle....

Or could just leave it outside the office, and blame hooligans.

Stavros · #5 (**permalink**) 18-03-10, 04:53 PM

4x4 commercial is he blind or just stupid.
a tranny or a flat back I would agreed.

next time I am down your kneck of the woods I will sling it in the back of the wagon and stick on the recycle pile. I am due a garage clean out.

sjr4x4 · #6 (**permalink**) 18-03-10, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stavros

4x4 commercial is he blind or just stupid.

both!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stavros

next time I am down your kneck of the woods I will sling it in the back of the wagon and stick on the recycle pile. I am due a garage clean out.

you sir are a gentleman and a scholar, we'll spring you lunch

bonsai passion · #7 (**permalink**) 18-03-10, 07:50 PM

Steve

The unit is covered by WEEE. The WEEE Directive does not require by law that you dispose of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in a certain way.

However, the UK government strongly advises consumers to dispose of e-waste in an environmentally and socially responsible way, by separating it from ordinary household waste and arranging for it to be re-used or safely recycled. Local authorities are required by the Directive to provide free of charge collection facilities for WEEE, and many retailers now offer a free in-store take-back service. Also you should consider that the refrigerant contents to be covered under Environmental regulations. It is likely (if you look on the serial plate) it will say R11 (banned (R12 (vehicles up to around 1994 and now banned) / R22 (restricted use and to be fully banned January 2015)/ probably although R-410A (GENETRON AZ-20, SUVA 410A, and Puron), R-134A R-407C are fine for use but disposal should be classed as a fridge or freezer.There are now strict controls on the handling, use, and release of refrigerants...as you would quite rightly expect.

I've only 'skitted' the surface, more info on F-Gas Regs if you felt so inclined to 'bone-up.'

There are thousands of these things being disposed of incorrectly; make a stance now and take it to the local recycling depot. You will NOT be charged.

DO NOT attempt to take it apart unless you are considered competent to do so.

Mike

sjr4x4 · #8 (**permalink**) 19-03-10, 12:09 PM

Cheers Mike.

Right then, you've just deprived Stavros of a free lunch, but I shall indeed take a stand. Says on the label R-410A

I assume by recycling center, thats the PC version of the council tip? In which case I shall revisit in my non commercial vehicle 4x4 and dispose of legally and correctly.

If former NCP man interferes again, I'll lamp him.

Sharpink · #9 (**permalink**) 19-10-10, 05:49 PM

OK that takes care of the bigger electrical items but where do you send your ink cartridges and toner cartridges? What happens to the old printers that people seem to replace every year or so? I work in a large office, (my day job) and when they replaced "without any reason" 40 HP laser printers I offered to take the lot and sell them in my shop. "Answer" can't do that, they are government property and they have to be "smashed and rendered worthless". Great policy.

sjr4x4 · #10 (**permalink**) 19-10-10, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharpink

"Answer" can't do that, they are government property and they have to be "smashed and rendered worthless". Great policy.

Aha, now your butting heads with red tape and bureaucracy

That rule which was brought into cover the disposal of x386 PC's and the information on their 5mb hard drives, is no doubt applied to kettle leads, staplers, swivel chairs....

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