The rapid deployment of new IT equipment models drives companies to decommission IT assets before their time. This results in hundreds of thousands of devices, such as phones, laptops, tablets, and desktops being left in storage, discarded with municipal waste, or sold without proper data security measures. ITAD enterprises collect retired, damaged, or unwanted IT assets and ensure they are disposed of responsibly. This includes services that maximize value such as certified data destruction, recycling, and repair and refurbishment for asset remarketing.
The Importance of Proper Disposition
Many companies are unaware of the dangers of irresponsible IT asset disposition, and hundreds of assets are often left to accumulate in storage spaces, thrown out with municipal waste, or reused without proper data security measures in place.
- Data remains on IT assets until it is properly wiped. This means that any IT assets left in storage spaces, junk drawers, warehouses, or even large storage units are at risk of theft and data breaches.
- Often, old office equipment is discarded with municipal waste and sent to landfills. If electronics are hidden in regular trash, they could be damaged and spark a battery fire. Electronics containing Lithium-ion batteries cause chemical fires that can burn for days and even reignite. Chemicals produced by the metals can also leak into the soil and contaminate the surrounding water supply.
- Companies may reuse old assets by resetting them or selling them. Without proper data erasure, enterprise and employee information will remain on the device, potentially compromising security. Reusing or selling equipment with data still intact could result in costly legal fees and data leaks.
ITAD Solutions
ITAD providers offer services designed for responsible e-waste disposition, including certified data erasure, repair and refurbishment service for remarketing, and electronics recycling. Partnering with an ITAD provider means all end-of-use needs are taken care of.
- Data remains on devices until it is properly wiped, leaving it vulnerable to data theft. ITAD providers offer certified data erasure services to ensure no data is leaked even after assets are retired.
- After assets are tagged and logged for inventory, they are disassembled to check for damaged hard drives or working parts. During this step, batteries are safely removed,, and any reusable materials are harvested. Materials recovery is a key component of circularity and preventing e-waste from entering the waste stream.
- ITAD providers also offer repair and refurbishment services and remarketing opportunities to help maximize the value of used assets. Not every device that is decommissioned is at the end of its useful lifecycle, and ITAD providers ensure all working assets are fully repaired for reuse, whether it’s through remarketing or donation programs.
HOBI is an R2v3, RIOS, ISO 14001, and NAID-certified IT asset management and disposition enterprise with more than 30 years of industry experience. We recognize the crucial importance of reuse and its vital role in achieving a sustainable future. HOBI’s repair and remarketing services help clients maximize asset value and ROI, while also prioritizing data security and environmental protection.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.