IT asset disposition is a critical component of hazardous waste management and can often be daunting to approach. Many elements contribute to a smooth ITAD process, each with its own challenges and industry hurdles, and partnering with an R2v3-certified ITAD provider can help navigate ITAD’s pain points and ease the burden of disposing of retired IT assets, especially in reverse logistics.
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. Another thing to consider is the safety of your IT equipment. Transporting IT assets without damaging hardware requires proper packaging to ensure a safe trip and temperature storage to prevent overheating.
Logistics plays a crucial role in the ITAD industry as transporting IT assets relies on safe, efficient methods of packaging, storing, and transporting assets. There are several challenges faced in the industry.
Logistics Challenges
Remote working has become common for many companies, creating hurdles in the IT asset disposition process. HOBI developed a program designed to help navigate these hurdles and enables us to provide ITAD services to remote clients. Companies with remote workforces still need disposition services, and remote management helps accommodate remote clients. HOBI’s Remote Box Program provides a range of remote ITAD services, including:
- Equipment retirement and rollout support
- Boxes, labels, and courier service available
- Manage each return with concise and careful instructions for return
- Quick and accurate reporting on all returned assets
- Guaranteed data erasure reporting
- Redeployment support available
Another challenge is recent changes to industry regulations. In 2022, The Basel Convention published several proposed alterations to the convention that would dramatically change how some end-of-life exports are managed. As a result, devices being prepared for reuse will be reclassified as hazardous waste according to the convention. Device refurbishment and recycling are critical components of reverse logistics, which close the life cycle of electronics and help companies promote a more sustainable economy. Trade restrictions prevent asset value maximization and reduce access to affordable electronics for many countries by significantly reducing available logistics operations. Broader logistics operations help increase asset recovery, which enables critical materials to be reused rather than exhausting resources to mine new materials. The Basel amendments will also likely impact everyone involved in the supply chain, specifically collectors and processors who must adjust how materials are collected, sorted, and processed to find available markets.
Change is inevitable in a continuously evolving industry, and HOBI is committed to providing IT asset disposition and mobile asset management services to clients through each shift. For more information about our Remote Box program or other ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.