How can Businesses Ethically Dispose of Used IT Hardware?

Ethical IT disposal comes down to two main factors: data security and environmental responsibility. In short, when considering IT decommissioning, you must take steps to protect the residual data on the devices and minimise your environmental impact. 

This article will outline how you can ensure ethical handling of your redundant, used, or surplus IT equipment when you no longer need it. 

Avoid IT Recycling and Instead Opt for IT Asset Disposition Services (ITAD) 

People often confuse the terms ITAD and IT recycling. However, there are three fundamental differences between recyclers and ITAD companies that relate to Security, Sustainability and Service. 

What is ITAD? - IT Asset Disposition (sometimes referred to as IT Asset Disposal) is a circular process that considers the residual value of used/redundant IT equipment and aims to maximise the value of the assets through refurbishment and repair before extending the lifespan of the device through the secondary market.  This can benefit the 'seller' by returning value and also promotes environmental friendliness by making refurbished IT equipment available and preventing the need for manufacturing new IT hardware.   

IT recycling services often take a blanket one-size-fits-all all approach to used electronics, which unnecessarily destroys functional devices. Electronics recycling clumps assets into loose categories for destruction and marks the end of the device’s lifespan. ITAD programs bypass a lot of the recycling shortfalls that have negative environmental effects creating a more circular IT life cycle – more on this here. 

This image outlines the ideal hierarchy of solutions for ethical IT ‘disposal’. You can learn more about the sustainable alternatives to IT recycling here. 

Ensure Full Data Sanitisation of Data Bearing Equipment

You have a responsibility, as the data controller, to protect the sensitive information of your customers, employees, patients, pupils etc. and avoid the threat of a data breach from your storage devices and components. Historically, many companies resort to physically destroying their IT assets for full peace of mind. However, this is no longer the only, or even best, option. 

ITAD is the most secure IT asset decommissioning solution for the proper disposal of your technology assets, from laptops, computers and phones to data centre equipment. Even if you use delete commands to delete data from your device(s), it is still possible to recover it. This residual data could include confidential employee or customer information.   
If this information fell into the wrong hands, it could have detrimental consequences for your organisation. You could be in breach of GDPR regulations and face serious PR, monetary and even legal repercussions.   

Sending your equipment to a reputable ITAD vendor with data protection certifications (like ADISA and ISO 27001), reputable data sanitisation software and stringent asset handling procedures helps to ensure ethical and GDPR-compliant IT disposal.  You can also receive certificates of data destruction as proof.   

Ensure Secure Collection, Transportation and Processing of the IT Assets

 
With both server decommissioning and computer decommissioning, as soon as your IT assets leave your facility they are essentially at risk. A van full of IT equipment could be an appealing prospect for someone with malicious intentions. To ensure the secure collection, transportation and processing of your assets consider asking the following questions to your ITAD supplier:  

How are they going to transport your IT assets? Can they offer you secure transportation if you need it?  

Who is going to collect your assets? Are they security vetted? Do they work for the company or are they external contractors?   

Do they asset tag your devices on arrival? Do they keep an accurate account of the assets that come in? Are they transparent and do they keep you updated along the way?   

What data erasure software do they use? Is it widely recognised? Can it guarantee full data erasure?  

How long do they take to sanitise your data? Will the IT assets be sat around for a prolonged period of time? Is there potential that they could be lost or stolen?  

Techbuyer's ITAD service operates in line with the ADISA Standard 8.0 (UK). This means that our facility undergoes regular announced and unannounced ITAD audits that heavily scrutinise our process. We are one of just nine ADISA DIAL 3 rated facilities in the UK, this means we can offer ITAD services to the very highest data security standards in the industry. Even the most risk-averse clients can come to Techbuyer for ITAD solutions with full confidence.    

Ensure Your IT Assets Will Not End up in Landfill

ITAD prioritises the reuse, refurbishment and repair of IT assets to keep quality IT equipment in use for longer. Our ITAD facilities fuel the IT lifecycle services we offer through refurbished technology.  There are a number of accreditations that can prove a vendor’s compliance with environmental regulations and downstream accountability for waste. Going to an ITAD vendor with an R2v3 accreditation, for example, ensures that your IT equipment will not go on to harm the planet.  

Consider Donating Your IT Equipment 

There are instances where IT hardware can hold little to no resale value but still be functionally sound. At this point donating your IT assets is a great way to maintain sustainable best practise while also contributing to your CSR goals.   
Here at Techbuyer, we partner with a number of IT charities like Reusing IT and ITSA Digital Trust (formerly IT Schools Africa) that donate IT equipment to disadvantaged people in the UK and around the world.  
We recently worked with Reusing IT and The Yorkshire Aid Convoy to help get Ukrainian Schools back online. Learn more in our recent article here.  

Start a Conversation with One of Our ITAD Specialists Today! 

If ethically disposing of your used IT hardware is a priority for your organisation, speak to one of our ITAD specialists for no-obligation advice and support. Techbuyer leads the way in ethical IT disposal and we would be delighted to help your organisation!  

Fill out our ITAD form and one of our specialists will get back to you.