Most organisations today are pretty aware of the problem of 'e-waste'. Dealing with it in a responsible manner is high on their list of corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives. And for many organisations, the best way to do this is to outsource the process to professional, third-party specialists who will wipe any data held on equipment, prepare the kit for reuse elsewhere or strip it down for recycling.

But how do you know these companies will do what they promise with your old computer equipment? How do you know that they won't just tip your unwanted PCs into a shipping container and sell it abroad to the highest bidder?

That may sound far-fetched - but according to Tony Roberts, CEO of Computer Aid International, a charity that provides quality, professionally refurbished computers to projects in developing countries, the problem of e-waste 'rogue traders' is real.

“UK companies are unwittingly handing over their unwanted IT equipment to unscrupulous illegal traders who are shipping untested and un-wiped e-waste, for profit, to developing countries," he says. "These traders do not declare the contents of their shipments as hazardous e-waste, but falsely claim consignments consist entirely of electrical equipment destined for productive reuse in developing countries."

It's a scandal and most businesses will want no association with this toxic trade. But how can they be sure that their company's reuse and recycling partner is legitimate?

Fortunately, Tony Roberts and his team are so concerned about they problem of e-waste cowboys that they've produced Your Guide to Choosing an IT Disposal Partner in order to help companies sort the good guys from the bad. This includes seven questions that companies must ask of prospective providers, examples of the kinds of documentation they need to ask to see, and further ways of checking prospective recyclers' responses. It's thoroughly recommended reading for any company that really cares about e-waste.