How Can We Change Current IT Habits?

IT habits, from both the users of technology, as well as manufacturers, have dug us into an e-waste crisis, and the more we, at Techbuyer’s ITAD service, work to divert technology from landfill, the more problems we uncover with traditional IT hardware use.  

A key issue that we’ve been seeing when collecting technology comes in the form of monitor stands. We see pallets upon pallets of brand-new monitor stands, in original packaging, entering our ITAD facility, and the numbers seem to be growing based on feedback from other ITAD providers.  

This problem comes down to the selling and manufacturing habits of providers when distributing goods. Many customers will already have monitor arms and set ups for their equipment, and so is it really necessary for these stands to always be included?  

Finding solutions for these practices through clear communication could have a major impact on the reduction of e-waste and the slowing down of material use, changes we have to start seeing for a sustainable future.  

Monitor stands are not the only culprit. Charging cables have traditionally caused issues across the industry for e-waste due to a lack of compatibility and forced obsolescence. However, whilst traditional use of charging cables and a lack of standardisation will continue to plug our e-waste channels for some time, important steps have been made to rectify the problem.  

The introduction of a universal charging cable for phones, USB-C, is playing an important role in cutting the number of obsolescent charging cables that end up in landfill. Apple released their first phone using this charging cable, the iPhone 15, in 2023, marking a step away from their traditional lightning port.  

This standardisation allows manufacturers to reduce their impact on growing e-waste numbers by solving some of the problems of forced obsolescence that we see in the industry.  

However, there is still more work to be done to change these traditional habits that have caused, and are continuing to cause, us problems with e-waste and materials.  

The Problem with Technology Disposal Habits 

Whilst manufacturing has a large role to play in the growing e-waste problem, ultimately, e-waste comes down to how we dispose of technology. Unless we improve our habits and practices here, we’ll continue to see tides of hardware entering our landfill sites.  

A problem that we’d like to see resolved is the preference of some companies and industries to shred their data bearing hard drives rather than turning to sanitisation. Managing the risk of data breaches is essential for every business, however, secure and sustainable solutions are now established to protect information whilst also looking after our environment.  

Regulations, including the ADISA DIAL 3 accreditation, have been established to ensure that the needs of even the most risk-averse clients are met when disposing of IT hardware. Current technology has also developed to a point to guarantee 100% data erasure – choosing a quality supplier to work with allows businesses to secure their information throughout the disposal process and reduce their impact on the environment.  

The Solution?  

Whilst ITAD is not a solution to many of the problems caused by some manufacturers, it is there as a solution to redundant equipment and cutting back on the e-waste we see building in landfills around the world.  
A quality ITAD company ensures that no equipment heads to landfill and expands the lifespan of hardware wherever possible. Whether this equipment is pallets full of unused monitor stands, charging cables forced into obsolescence prematurely, or data bearing equipment, we have a solution to ensure that none of your technology adds to the growing e-waste crisis.  
Get in touch with our team, to discuss your redundant IT assets here.