The quantity of technology in the world has increased significantly in the last decade, leading to an abundance of e-waste and a critical need for a safe disposal method. Responsible IT asset disposition with an ITAD enterprise ensures safe IT asset disposition, mitigates environmental liabilities and protects data. ITAD providers like HOBI provide several sustainable solutions to the e-waste crisis through electronics recycling, and implementing sustainability practices will help companies protect the environment, enterprise data, and achieve ESG goals.
E-waste makes up 70% of overall toxic waste generated annually, and only a small percentage is disposed of properly. An estimated 20-50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed of annually. Despite certain states prohibiting landfills from accepting it, some are still sent to landfills, which can harm the environment and human health. Electronics in landfills for long periods can leak harmful chemicals that soak into the soil and pollute the groundwater without the proper lining. Eventually, this contaminates surrounding water supplies and can cause health issues over time for surrounding residents who unknowingly consume it.
ITAD providers offer sustainable solutions for retired IT assets, including data erasure, asset repair and redeployment, reverse logistics, and recycling.
Data Erasure – Data security is a critical step of IT asset disposition. ITAD providers prioritize keeping data safe throughout the process by erasing data from all devices being processed. In a digital era where hackers are evolving alongside technology, data erasure ensures no data breaches or leaks will occur even after assets are retired. HOBI uses an internally developed NIST-compliant data erasure tool, HOBI Shield, that completely wipes data from a device before recycling.
Repair & Redeployment – Not every device is at the end of its use upon retirement. Some ITAD providers offer repair and remarketing opportunities to maximize the value of retired assets and help provide IT equipment to those seeking to save money or those without access. Remarketing IT assets also prevents them from being sent to landfills and helps protect the environment by keeping used assets in circulation, closing the loop on the circular economy. HOBI leverages its extensive network and market expertise to provide remarketing asset services and repair and refurbishment services.
Reverse Logistics – Reverse logistics is a staple in the ITAD industry for quick, accurate asset transportation. Transporting IT assets isn’t just about moving assets; it’s about moving expensive equipment from one place to another without incidents. Until data is properly erased, it remains on IT assets even during transport, which means enterprise data is still vulnerable during transport after asset retirement. Finding an ITAD provider with transparent reverse logistics services helps provide a measure of data security before data is wiped from the devices and peace of mind that your data is in the right hands.
Recycling – As the safest method of e-waste disposal, recycling should be a priority for responsible IT asset management, and partnering with an ITAD provider that offers the above solutions will save money, time, and protect data. HOBI prioritizes the mitigation of potential environmental liability and maximizing economic return and supports a circular economy by prolonging the lifespan of retired assets and keeping them out of the waste stream. As leaders in sustainable e-waste solutions, HOBI focuses on choosing the best course of action for our clients and the environment.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.