mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Donate Working Network Switches to School District (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
A company is upgrading its network switches and has 10 old switches that still work. The local school district has requested donations of working equipment. What should the technician do?
Quick Answer
The correct choice is to donate the working network switches to the school district. This action directly applies the principle of reuse, which is the most environmentally responsible step in the waste hierarchy before recycling or disposal, because the switches are still functional and extending their lifecycle reduces e-waste. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of proper disposal and environmental best practices, often appearing in questions about recycling, donating, or disposing of old equipment. A common trap is to default to recycling or simply throwing away functional hardware, but the exam emphasizes that reuse is always preferred over recycling when the equipment still works. To remember this, think of the three Rs in order: Reduce first, then Reuse, then Recycle—donating functional network switches is a perfect example of the Reuse step in action.
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between recycling and reuse, where candidates mistakenly choose recycling as the 'green' option, but the exam emphasizes that reuse is always preferable for still-functional equipment.
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
✓
Donate the switches to the school district.
Donating the switches to the school district aligns with the principle of reuse, which is the most environmentally responsible option before recycling or disposal. The switches are still functional, so extending their lifecycle reduces e-waste and benefits the community. This practice supports the waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse, recycle.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Throw the switches in the company dumpster.
Why it's wrong here
E-waste should never go in general trash; it contains hazardous materials and valuable resources.
- ✓
Donate the switches to the school district.
Why this is correct
Donation is the best option because it reuses functional equipment and benefits the community.
- ✗
Send the switches to a recycler even though they work.
Why it's wrong here
Recycling is good, but reusing functional equipment is even better for the environment.
- ✗
Keep the switches in storage indefinitely.
Why it's wrong here
Storage delays disposal but does not solve the waste problem; it may lead to eventual disposal later.
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Related to this question
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During a software deployment, a technician must dispose of 50 unused software license CDs. The CDs are still sealed. What is the most environmentally friendly way to handle them?
medium- A.Throw them in the general office trash bin.
- B.Shred them and put the pieces in the recycling bin.
- ✓ C.Donate them to a local school or non-profit that can use them.
- D.Burn them in an incinerator to generate energy.
Why C: Donating or recycling the CDs through a media recycling program is the best approach. CDs are made of polycarbonate and can be recycled, but they should not go into regular trash. This question tests knowledge of proper disposal of electronic media.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.