What Options are there for Redundant IT Hardware Besides Landfill

You should always look to recycle redundant IT responsibly. A local recycler with the necessary certifications can collect, data sanitise, and ensure responsible recycling practices are upheld, protecting both the environment and your personal data.

Although it is difficult to know what to do with your redundant IT hardware, it is vital to follow the golden rule:

DON'T SEND IT TO LANDFILL

You could be forgiven for thinking it’s the easiest option. It gets the equipment out of your way, and you don’t have to think about it. However, how much is this perceived convenience worth to you?

E-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world and has enormously detrimental effects on the environment when it is not properly treated. You can read all about the effects of e-waste on the environment here, but for now let’s focus on what you can do with redundant IT hardware besides sending it to landfill.

Selling for Refurbishment

Did you know that you could earn money from your redundant and surplus IT hardware? Selling your redundant IT hardware to us allows you to invest in the future of your IT infrastructure, gain maximum value out of your equipment, while also supporting the circular economy. You can contact our team for a quote here.

Selling your IT hardware is a fantastic alternative to paying for a disposal service, letting it sit in storage or simply throwing it away. It also ensures you dispose of your IT hardware sustainably as it goes back into the refurbished market. Our team are refurbished hardware specialists with almost 20 years of experience. We take care of the entire process including valuation, collection and the data sanitisation so all you have to do is reach out.

Repair Your IT Hardware

Broken IT hardware is not necessarily redundant hardware. When something isn’t quite working as it used to, your first thought should be, ‘can this be fixed?’ rather than just replacing it. When possible, choosing to repair IT equipment can often be the best option both financially and for the environment.

Repairing a device immediately removes the possibility of that device going to landfill. Repair often costs less than it would to replace the equipment and can also reduce the need to mine for raw materials needed to create new equipment.

Additionally, a repaired or refurbished device often performs to the same or similar level to a brand new alternative. At Techbuyer, we have over a decade of experience in refurbished technology and repairs and have remained firm supporters of the right to repair movement which has recently seen an increase in support.

Donate Your Surplus IT Equipment

The unfortunate reality is that most redundant IT equipment does not have anything particularly wrong with it, rather that the user either required or simply wanted something new.

Often, this can result in hardware being stashed away, never to be used again. If you have functional hardware, donations are more than just an excellent option to consider, but also a fantastic way to support communities in need and reduce unnecessary e-waste.

When it comes to who or where you donate your hardware, the choice is yours. We recommend looking into charitable organisation's that regularly accept donations of electronics or reaching out to local schools that may be looking for more equipment. At Techbuyer, we work closely with a number of charities. One such example is ITSA Digital Trust, who we have been supporting for over 5 years and have recently been named as a founding member of their Digital Community Business Forum.

Recycle Your E-Waste

No matter how well you look after your hardware, or how many times you repair it, there will come a point where it is no longer viable to attempt to keep it operational or it is simply impossible to fix.

When this happens, it is imperative that the device is recycled responsibly. The key to responsible recycling is a trustworthy recycling partner, and that means you need to look out for accreditations and certifications, as well as customer reviews and processes for best practice. Accreditations such as R2v3 signify that a business must ethically recycle IT electronics with full transparency.

Responsibly recycling your IT hardware has a number of benefits. From an economical standpoint, you could potentially earn some money back on your redundant IT as e-waste recyclers are often happy to purchase high quality or high quantity stock.

From an environmental standpoint, recycling means that materials used in the equipment have the chance to be reused, vital when taking into account the number of precious metals found within e-waste. It also reduces the amount of e-waste going to landfill, a global problem that we collectively need to try and overcome, and one that has received regulations to try and stem the flow.

Which Option Suits Me Best?

The answer to this question is entirely up to you! Whatever you choose, Techbuyer can help. We can take your redundant IT and refurbish it for resale, possibly providing you with a rebate on your sale made. We can also take surplus IT and donate it to one of our charity partners such as ITSA Digital Trust. And finally, if your redundant IT is beyond use, our Resource Recovery team will harvest it for parts, helping extend the life cycle of other equipment, and send the different materials off to one of our recycling partners. We hold a number of accreditations that ensure your IT hardware is in safe hands. You can find out more and receive a free quote here.