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220-1102 Practice Question: A client wants to upgrade their entire office of…
A client wants to upgrade their entire office of 50 computers and asks for advice on environmentally friendly disposal of the old units. Which approach best aligns with environmental best practices?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that donation or reuse is always the greenest option, but the trap here is that environmental best practices require both secure data destruction and proper hazardous material handling, which only a certified e-waste recycler guarantees.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Contract a certified e-waste recycling company to handle the disposal.
Certified e-waste recycling companies follow strict environmental regulations (e.g., the Basel Convention and local e-waste laws) to ensure hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium are safely extracted and disposed of, while also securely destroying data through methods such as degaussing or physical shredding. This approach minimizes environmental harm and aligns with the EPA's recommended practices for responsible electronics recycling.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Donate the computers to a local school without wiping data.
Why it's wrong here
Donating computers without professional data sanitization poses a significant data breach risk, as residual data, including sensitive corporate information or personally identifiable information (PII), can be recovered using forensic techniques. This violates data privacy regulations and exposes the organization to legal liabilities. Furthermore, the school may lack the resources for proper end-of-life disposal, potentially leading to future environmental harm.
- ✗
Sell the computers to a scrap metal dealer.
Why it's wrong here
Selling electronics to a general scrap metal dealer is problematic because these facilities are typically not equipped to safely handle the hazardous materials found in computer components, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. Improper processing can release these heavy metals into the environment, contaminating soil and water, which violates environmental protection regulations. Specialized e-waste recycling is required to safely extract and process these toxic substances.
- ✓
Contract a certified e-waste recycling company to handle the disposal.
Why this is correct
Contracting a certified e-waste recycling company ensures adherence to stringent industry standards, such as R2 or e-Stewards, for secure data destruction and environmentally responsible material recovery. These companies employ specialized processes to dismantle equipment, safely extract hazardous components, and recycle valuable materials, minimizing environmental pollution and ensuring compliance with data privacy laws. This approach provides a verifiable chain of custody for all assets.
- ✗
Have employees take the computers home for personal use.
Why it's wrong here
Allowing employees to take old computers home transfers the responsibility for secure data destruction and proper disposal to individuals who may lack the expertise or resources to do so correctly. This creates a significant risk of data leakage if sensitive information is not thoroughly wiped, and it removes the company's control over the eventual environmental impact of the hardware. The organization retains potential liability for any data breaches or improper disposal incidents.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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