Improper E-Waste Disposal Guidelines Sparks Lawsuit

Computers and related technology can become dated and useless at a relatively fast pace, sometimes in just a matter of years. When the office updates equipment, then disposes of useless and old computers and parts, it can become an issue. There are right and wrong ways to dispose of e-waste. Not adhering to the correct disposal laws can land your company in a load of legal problems, as the owners of national chain Dollar General learned. There are safe and legal options available for proper disposal or recycling of old computers and parts, but Dollar General certainly didn't comply with them.

The Lawsuit

Dolgen California, the company that owns Dollar General stores, disposed of multiple e-waste items including computers in landfills that weren’t licensed to take this type of waste. According to the lawsuit, the disposal of this trash went on for at least five years with Dolgen California knowingly disposing e-scraps inappropriately along with other types of illegal dumping such as alkaline batteries and over-the-counter medications. The lawsuit resulted in multiple fines and the establishment of a project to dispose of e-waste waste in compliance with regulations for environmental concerns.

What is the right way to dispose of e-waste?

The best way to dispose of e-waste products is to find a company that recycles old electronics. According to data from 2010, only 27% of e-waste was recycled with only about 11% of personal devices being recycled. Twenty-five states have laws banning the disposal of e-waste in landfills and dumps with more states changing laws every year. These states require the recycling of e-waste through a certified and safe recycling company. While laws vary from state to state, there are no national laws as of yet, but the EPA does provide information for finding the laws in your own state on their website.