220-1102 Practice Question: During a desktop computer deployment, a…

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 them in the regular trash since they are mostly plastic.

  Why it's wrong here

  Toner cartridges are not suitable for regular landfill disposal despite their plastic components. They contain fine toner powder, which can include heavy metals like iron oxide and chromium, along with plastic polymers and other chemicals. When landfilled, these substances can leach into soil and groundwater, posing significant environmental and health risks. Furthermore, many municipal waste regulations and state laws specifically prohibit the disposal of electronic waste and hazardous materials, including toner cartridges, in general refuse streams.

• ✓

  Recycle them through a certified e-waste recycler or manufacturer take-back program.

  Why this is correct

  This is the correct and environmentally responsible method for disposing of used toner cartridges. Certified e-waste recyclers possess the specialized equipment and processes to safely separate and recover valuable materials, such as plastics, metals, and residual toner, preventing hazardous substances from entering the environment. Manufacturer take-back programs further facilitate closed-loop recycling, often remanufacturing cartridges to reduce waste and conserve resources, aligning with best practices for sustainable IT asset disposition.

• ✗

  Burn them in an incinerator to generate energy.

  Why it's wrong here

  Incinerating toner cartridges is an environmentally unsound and illegal disposal method. The high temperatures involved would release fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the toner powder, along with potentially toxic gases from the plastic components, such as dioxins and furans. These emissions contribute to severe air pollution and can cause respiratory issues and other health problems, making it a direct violation of air quality and hazardous waste regulations.

• ✗

  Sell them to a scrap metal dealer.

  Why it's wrong here

  Selling toner cartridges to a scrap metal dealer is an inappropriate and ineffective disposal strategy. While cartridges may contain some metallic components, they are predominantly composed of various plastics and residual toner powder. Scrap metal dealers are equipped to process bulk ferrous and non-ferrous metals, not mixed materials with hazardous residues, making toner cartridges unsuitable for their operations and likely to be rejected due to contamination and lack of material value.

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