Ethical or Not?

[rennigade]

What else would they be doing with it? If they were just going to trash it or recycle it, you wouldn't need them. You could just put it in the trash yourself (or drop it off at a recycling center like Best Buy or Goodwill).

Agreed. These companies absolutely do resell the items they can. If we pay them $150 to recycle a bunch of equipment...how much would it cost them to trash? What about that huge truck they drove to pick it up...thats not cheap. usually there are 2 guys who im sure get paid hourly.

I know there is money in junk but this isnt exactly junk. Its usable equipment that they're doing something with to make money from.

[StormRichards]

Another issue is the company is ultimately responsible for these items being disposed of properly. Allowing an employee to take these items home increases the chance that hazardous material from their company will end up in a landfill.

[StormRichards]

Agreed. These companies absolutely do resell the items they can. If we pay them $150 to recycle a bunch of equipment...how much would it cost them to trash? What about that huge truck they drove to pick it up...thats not cheap. usually there are 2 guys who im sure get paid hourly.

I know there is money in junk but this isnt exactly junk. Its usable equipment that they're doing something with to make money from.

I totally agree that the e-waste company is likely making more than just their fee for collection. Whatever components/materials they can make money on, they are going to sell. The rest hopefully is discarded according to law.

[StormRichards]

As far as company policy...Im not aware of one? If it does exist its not in our company manual. We're a small company...only about 500 people.

It wouldn't shock me that a small company like yours doesn't have a policy, but in my opinion they are being irresponsible for the reason I mentioned above.

How do they know that an employee isn't just taking a part or two from the equipment then dumping what's left in the trash?

[TexasHusker]

What else would they be doing with it? If they were just going to trash it or recycle it, you wouldn't need them. You could just put it in the trash yourself (or drop it off at a recycling center like Best Buy or Goodwill).

Wrong.

[Fishindude77]

I have dealt with this issue before. Not with IT equipment, but with employees salvaging and reselling scrap materials. Unless you have something in writing from management authorizing you to do exactly what you are doing, then you are putting yourself at risk for being charged with theft. If items that the company has purchased have salvage value, then the company is entitled to whatever money it brings.

Probably worse is the fact that employees are often doing the salvaging on company time rather than putting their full attention into doing their job.

Definitely unethical.

[rennigade]

Wrong.

You're wrong. I just checked out their website. This is the summary...if I copy/paste anyone could google a sentence and pull the website...

"items are inspected and if deemed to be resellable..they are displayed in our testing/staging area."

items that cannot be sold are sent to another area and completely ripped apart...they take out anything of value and trash the rest.

[StormRichards]

Where e-waste goes

Electronic waste is a globalized business, and about 70% to 80% of it is shipped to landfills in many developing nations, where it is sorted and sold for scrap metal or burned to extract materials, which is harmful to people and the surrounding environment. The US also sends e-waste to prisons, where it is processed in under-regulated environments.

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/the-depressing-truth-about-e-waste-10-things-to-know/

[StormRichards]

What it can be turned into

The metal from these devices can be used for many things, if extracted properly. Cell phone batteries and metals inside the phone can be used to make new ones, or for jewelry, art, metal plates, or other electronics. A company in India, Attero, extracts metals like gold, platinum, and selenium safely from used devices, refurbishes others, and helps businesses with end-to-end electronic asset management. It's a small dent in the grand scheme, but companies like this are important — and profitable.

[HundredK]

You're wrong. I just checked out their website. This is the summary...if I copy/paste anyone could google a sentence and pull the website...

"items are inspected and if deemed to be resellable..they are displayed in our testing/staging area."

items that cannot be sold are sent to another area and completely ripped apart...they take out anything of value and trash the rest.

That does not make what you're doing ok. They are doing what they are contractually obligated to do as per your company's request. What you are doing amounts to stealing. Seriously, if you're that into selling the stuff, then why not negotiate a raise for yourself by offering to create another revenue stream for your company? Hiding it, though? It isn't right and it could get you in serious trouble down the line. Especially with IT equipment which obviously has all sorts of potential to cause problems if it ends up in the wrong hands and is traced back.

[~bs]

^

Normally those companies ship off the hazardous materials to 3rd world countries where they recycle individual components.

I still stand by my point that it's a good idea to get something written from your company allowing you to take it for whatever purpose you deem fit. You could sell the written agreement to them as a positive for them because in it, you could mention they're not liable for any misuse of the used equipment or whatever.

[disneysteve]

Wrong.

rennigade already answered with what actually happens but what did you think they were doing with the items they gathered if not selling them? That's how they make their money.

[disneysteve]

Probably worse is the fact that employees are often doing the salvaging on company time rather than putting their full attention into doing their job.

OP specifically said this activity is NOT done on company time. If he was sitting at his desk at work listing items on ebay, that would be unethical.

[rennigade]

That does not make what you're doing ok. They are doing what they are contractually obligated to do as per your company's request. What you are doing amounts to stealing.

I understand I was just letting TH know they do resell and they state on their website that they resell whatever they can.

I dont agree with you or anyone else that says its stealing. We're allowed to take decommissioned/out of warranty equipment...how is that stealing?

My boss told me the dude that worked before me took this massive server that was decommissioned. He laughed because he couldnt imagine what he could possibly want with it but more power to him he said.

I know its not stealing...whether its unethical or not...im seeing there are users on both sides of the coin here. I dont think theres a definitive right or wrong answer...was just curious what everyone thought.

[disneysteve]

What you are doing amounts to stealing.

I'm not trying to be difficult but I'm really trying to understand this point of view.

My office is getting a new laser printer. My boss says, "Does anybody want the old one?" I raise my hand and he says it's mine for the taking. I take it home and sell it on craigslist for $50.

I just don't see what part of that scenario makes me a thief.