An ITAD disposition plan is crucial in a digital world. An abundance of technology has made the ITAD industry more important than ever as a means of responsible e-waste disposition. Often, disposition is delayed due to budget funds, lack of preparation time, or lack of knowledge, but disposing of retired IT assets doesn’t have to be a headache. Partnering with an ITAD provider will help ease the burden of asset disposal, save time and money, help protect the environment, and maximize the value of retired IT assets.
ITAD Plays a Vital Role in Environmental Protection
Without ITAD enterprises, the world would become overrun with pollution. 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 negatively impact the environment and the health of surrounding residents. 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. Incineration is often chosen to avoid pollution, but burning these chemicals can result in air pollution.
ITAD is More Than Just Disposition
Disposition with an ITAD provider goes beyond discarding IT assets. ITAD providers like HOBI offer value-added services such as onsite data erasure, repair and refurbishment, remarketing opportunities, customizable reverse logistics, data center solutions, donation programs, and more.
- Data erasure – Data remains on IT assets until properly wiped, and ITAD providers offer data erasure to ensure no data is leaked even after retirement. HOBI uses an internally developed NIST-compliant data erasure tool, HOBI Shield, that completely wipes data from a device before recycling.
- Repair & remarketing – IT assets are not always at the end of a functional life cycle when retired. Repair and remarketing services maximize the value of used assets by extending their life while keeping them out of the waste stream.
- Reverse logistics – Reverse logistics is a staple in the ITAD industry for quick, accurate asset transportation and eliminates the need to find multiple vendors.
- Data center solutions – Data center decommissioning can be stressful, but ITAD providers offer data center services such as decommissioning, asset management and remarketing, and relocation. HOBI provides on-site services and customized data center solutions to meet clients’ needs.
- Donation programs – Some companies donate used assets rather than recycle them, which helps provide electronics to those without access, bridging the digital divide.
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 and time and protect data. HOBI prioritizes the mitigation of potential environmental liability and maximizing economic return. It 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 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.