The e-waste crisis is growing. The large quantity of electronics released every year prompts thousands of consumers to discard their old devices in favor of new ones. Lack of knowledge on responsible IT asset disposal has significantly increased e-waste as users throw away old devices. IT asset management (ITAM) plays a key role in e-waste reduction, and partnering with an ITAD provider for end-of-use services such as data erasure, repair and remarketing, and e-recycling will help protect the environment, maximize the value of used assets, and reduce e-waste.
Pollution as a Result of Improper E-Waste Disposal
E-waste makes up 70 percent of the earth’s toxic waste and can harm the environment and human health. When electronics sit in landfills for too long, toxic chemicals leak from the manufactured metals and soak into the soil, eventually contaminating groundwater. Many electronics used daily also contain lithium-ion batteries that could cause chemical fires and lead to a domino effect if other batteries are nearby. Burning electronics causes these chemicals to be released into the atmosphere, resulting in air pollution.
IT Asset Management & Disposition with an ITAD Provider
Proper asset disposition begins with responsible IT asset management, and ITAD providers like HOBI offer a range of ITAM services designed to mitigate environmental liability and boost economic return. Partnering with an ITAD vendor provides data erasure, remarketing opportunities, and environmentally sound e-waste disposal.
Data erasure – Data remains on a device until it is properly erased, and leaving IT assets anywhere with residual data still on the device puts enterprise and employee data at risk of data theft. ITAD providers offer data security services, including data erasure, to ensure no data leaks occur during disposition. HOBI uses an internally developed data erasure tool, HOBI Shield, that completely erases data from a device.
Repair & Remarketing for Reuse – Repairing retired assets increases asset value, and remarketing helps provide IT equipment to those seeking to save money or those without access. HOBI leverages its extensive network and market expertise to give remarketing asset services and repair and refurbishment services. Asset remarketing also helps contribute to a circular economy by reusing assets rather than throwing them away.
E-Recycling – Recycling is the only environmentally sound method of IT asset disposition, and partnering with an ITAD provider mitigates environmental pollution by recycling retired IT assets rather than throwing them out with municipal waste or burning them.
ITAD enterprises prioritize environmental safety through every step of the disposition process by ensuring that e-waste is recycled instead of sent to landfills. HOBI’s R2v3, RIOS, and ISO 14001 certifications ensure all equipment is processed in full legislative compliance. When processing equipment, HOBI focuses on maximizing value for our clients and making the best choice for the environment.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.