Data Centres Ireland

Does sustainability and security come second to price for ITAD customers? This was one of the topics addressed at the Data Centres Ireland Circular Economy Panel that Techbuyer Global ITAD Director Mark Gallacher took part in last month.  

Speaking with peers from Iron Mountain and Wisetek, the group addressed the challenges associated with making circular economy mainstream practice in the data centre sector, where quality service and exhaustive asset tracking reduces the rebates that these vendors can offer compared to less professional services. 

What is the Circular Economy? 

The circular economy aims to change the habits of consumers and businesses in order to reduce waste, maximise the lifespan of products and optimise our use of materials. Within this model, we must aim to narrow our use of resources, slow down the rate at which we dispose of what we buy, cycle products back into the market after use and eventually regenerate the product to keep materials and equipment in use.  

The circular economy model covers the product design and manufacturing phase of an item's lifecycle, the functional use, and the end of life. 

The Role of ITAD Companies in Creating a Circular Economy  

IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services work with businesses to sustainably and securely dispose of IT hardware. ITAD suppliers data sanitise IT equipment and many work to refurbish, reuse, or remanufacture devices to stimulate a circular economy.  

ITAD companies protect businesses against data breaches during IT disposal, as well as environmental challenges and liability. However, as is true within any industry, different companies deliver different levels of service and, as a result, varying degrees of risk.  

What we are currently finding in the ITAD industry is that companies looking to dispose of hardware focus on the value of equipment and how much money they can earn back from their used technology, rather than on security or sustainability. However, in doing this, companies are leaving themselves open to data and environmental risk by working with less reputable ITAD suppliers.  

ITAD companies that guarantee 100% data erasure, as well as a zero-to-landfill policy, protect your business against the risk of data leakage and environmental impact, however, as a result the rebates offered can be reduced or the service costs may be higher.  

This is because these companies are highly accredited and adhere to sustainability and security best practices designed to protect your business. Again, as in any industry, you pay for what you get and the most reputable providers will offer a premium service.  

Refurbished Hardware and Extending the Lifespan of Technology 

The USA and Europe are two of the largest users of virgin materials in the world and also two of the worst in terms of adopting refurbished technology. This comes down to a number of reasons: the availability and ease of new, more disposable income within businesses and lack of legislation to name a few.  

However, refurbished technology is essential to a circular economy, keeping used equipment in use for longer and prolonging the overall lifespan of products and materials. We already see a thriving second hand economy for the car industry and within this, owning a used vehicle is not only acceptable but commonplace.  

In order to create a circular IT economy, choosing refurbished technology needs to become more commonplace. This is where Techbuyer comes in. We provide services designed to maximise each stage of an IT component or device’s life cycle. We provide high-quality refurbished devices that are tested and protected by a warranty, fuelling a thriving second hand IT market and aiding product lifespan extension.  

Our refurbished technology and ITAD services work simultaneously, with used equipment coming into our facilities to be repaired (where necessary), tested and then resold.  

Research Into Data Centre Circularity 

However, further research is needed to ensure that we create the best system possible to develop a circular economy. This is where the Circular Economy in the Data Centre Industry (CEDaCI) project has been invaluable.  

The CEDaCI Project is a multi-million Interreg-funded project established in 2018, designed to chart a pathway towards increased circularity for servers in the sector, reducing waste and limiting the resources required to manufacture new ICT. A particular focus of the project is Critical Raw Materials, which have been identified by the EU as in low or politically unstable supply. 

Techbuyer was a full partner across all four years, with the project coming to an end in 2022.  

CEDaCI examined eco-design within the UK and EU - providing research and advice to inform manufacturing, product lifespan extension – highlighting where and how changes can be made to current habits and practices, recycling practices – exploring new and innovative recycling methods, and social impact assessment – an industry first for the data centre industry. 

The project released their CEDaCI Compass, earlier this year, an interactive tool that incorporates the findings of their research into data evidenced recommendations for industry specialists.  

There is a section on Circular Design, which gives a rating, Product Life Extension, which gives social, economic and environmental impact readings of different procurement choices, and a recycling section which does the same for different types of recycling.  

Take a look at the CEDaCI Compass here: DCC - CEDaCI Compass

How Do We Solve the Problems We Face in the Industry? 

The main problems that we see facing a circular IT economy are, as discussed, a focus on value retention over sustainability and security when disposing of hardware, and a lack of trust in and uptake of refurbished technology.  

The solution to this problem starts with education and information. 

In terms of IT disposal, customers need to understand the risks that they when choosing a less reputable business, as well as how accreditations and stricter processes help to protect their information and reputation. There’s a lot of information out there, however ITAD companies must work harder to demonstrate the importance of security and environmental impact when disposing of IT hardware.  

Legislation can also play a major part in stimulating a circular economy within the IT sector; we have already seen this taking shape in France with the government making it mandatory for public sector organisations to utilise refurbished for 20% of their hardware needs.  

With stricter legislation on the use of refurbished, as well as on the repairs process, we can begin to use refurbished technology to its full potential and keep products and materials in use for longer.  

Techbuyer’s Circular Asset Management Services 

As Global Director of our Circular Asset Management (ITAD) service, Mark helps us to deliver sustainable and secure IT disposal for businesses and data centres around the world. With industry-leading accreditations, a zero-to-landfill policy and guaranteed data erasure, Techbuyer represents the gold standard of IT disposal. Find out more and receive a quote for your surplus or used IT assets here.