Technology has become a necessity in business, and mobile devices are often the most commonly used IT assets, but as the price of electronics continues to skyrocket, companies are spending millions to keep IT equipment up to date. IT demand has increased over the past decade, but has also led to higher carbon emissions. The solution lies in circular IT practices. ITAD providers offer a range of end-of-use services, including asset remarketing, and help reduce costs and emissions with device reuse, value recovery, data security, and environmental reporting.
The Rising Cost and Emissions of Mobile Technology
Mobile technology has risen in popularity and in price, but it’s costing more than just money. Global smartphone subscriptions have surged from about 3 billion in 2015 to over 7.4 billion in 2025, and each year new models are released. With prices for high-end models now exceeding $1,000 per smartphone, and larger devices like laptops or tablets even more expensive, companies are spending millions just to keep IT equipment up to date. Demand for AI infrastructure, reduced availability of memory components, and inflation have driven technology prices to an all-time high, but that’s not the only thing that’s risen.
High demand for technology puts greater pressure on manufacturers to develop new devices. The higher the demand for electronics, the higher the emissions become due to increased energy consumption by manufacturers. In the past decade, cumulative global emissions have surged by more than 26 percent and continue to increase steadily.
Earth Day 2026: “Our Power, Our Planet”
Technological costs and emissions may be rising, but circularity plays a significant role in reducing both costs and emissions. This year’s Earth Day theme is “our power, our planet”, with a focus on taking action, and companies across the globe can take part in environmental protection while also reducing IT costs by implementing circular IT practices with an ITAD provider. A common misconception is that small actions don’t count, but this year’s Earth Day initiative is action at scale, and enhancing your IT disposition strategy is the first step.
ITAD’s Role in Circular IT via Device Reuse
ITAD isn’t just a disposal plan; it’s part of a circular loop. The world currently operates on a linear economy where products are purchased or produced, used, and then discarded as waste. ITAD enterprises support a circular economic model: repair, reuse, recycle. As the final stage in a device’s lifecycle, IT asset disposition closes the loop by providing multiple routes for used devices that protect assets, data, and the environment. ITAD providers offer repair and refurbishment services, along with data erasure and asset remarketing, which keep electronics in circulation rather than turning them into waste.
With professional knowledge of a constantly changing market, ITAD partners ensure clients get the most out of their used IT equipment by identifying optimal resale windows. Device resale reduces financial strain and enhances environmental claims. Additionally, ITAD providers understand the critical importance of data security and offer certified data erasure in full compliance with all applicable regulations.
Financial Impact of Responsible IT Asset Disposition
IT refresh cycles are more expensive than ever. Still, IT asset remarketing with a certified ITAD vendor often yields enough return to help companies finance the next IT refresh, and more. With an ITAD strategy in place for end-of-use assets, organizations can:
Lower procurement expenses – Delaying the replacement of IT hardware, such as laptops, smartphones, and servers, through repair and refurbishment enables companies to significantly reduce procurement expenses.
Maximize ROI – Extending the lifecycle of an IT asset increases recovery value and keeps used electronics from becoming obsolete.
Reduce total cost of ownership – Replacing devices today often feels like a financial blow, but regular maintenance and repairs to keep assets functioning properly are typically more cost-effective.
Increase value recovery – Retired devices can be sold through buy-back or trade-in programs to provide ROI or savings.
Environmental Impact
As the final step in a circular economy, responsible IT asset disposition helps protect the environment in several ways:
Manufacturing demand reduction – Research has shown that up to 80 percent of a device’s carbon footprint occurs during manufacturing. Extending the lifecycle of obsolete IT equipment keeps assets in circulation, helping reduce overall demand for new device manufacturing and, therefore, reducing carbon emissions.
Lower energy consumption – Manufacturing new devices requires significant amounts of natural resources, such as energy, water, and rare-earth materials. Repairing and reselling IT assets eliminates the need to mine additional natural resources and requires less energy than manufacturing new devices.
Lowering scope 3 emissions – Sustainability is no longer suggested, it’s expected, and by extending the lifecycle of retired equipment, companies can reduce scope 3 emissions, including indirect supply chain emissions.
E-waste reduction – Most importantly, device reuse reduces e-waste overall. Keeping used devices in circulation helps keep them out of the waste stream and prevents them from ending up in landfills.
Find an ITAD Partner That’s Right for You
Responsible IT asset disposition is crucial to circular IT. Disposition isn’t the end; it’s the next step in circular IT. The right ITAD provider will help organizations save costs by funding IT refresh cycles with device remarketing while reducing overall device demand and carbon emissions.
Celebrate Earth Day 2026 by contacting an ITAD provider like HOBI to begin your circular strategy. As an IT asset management and disposition enterprise with more than 30 years of industry experience, HOBI offers a multitude of end-of-use services, including asset repair and remarketing. Our R2v3, RIOS, ISO 14001, and NAID certifications ensure clients that all equipment is processed in full compliance with all applicable regulations and environmental standards. Additionally, HOBI offers on-site data erasure and environmental reporting to provide transparency and accountability.
Every action makes a difference, and implementing a circular IT strategy solidifies sustainability efforts, reduces IT costs, and boosts environmental credit. Contact HOBI today at 877-814-2620 or sales@hobi.com for a free consultation to discuss your ITAD plan.