Throughout a hectic business year, it is easy to lose track of IT equipment upgrades, and many businesses find themselves with an excess amount of IT assets cluttering corners and taking up storage space by spring. Partnering with an IT asset disposition provider can alleviate the burden of sorting through piles and finding a safe disposition method for unwanted e-waste. This is the perfect time to spring clean and make room for new equipment, which means finding a responsible disposal method for retired IT assets with an ITAD provider.
IT asset disposition is often put on the back burner, but it is one of an enterprise’s most important decisions. Enterprises are becoming more environmentally conscious and are seeking to partner with other like-minded organizations to find sustainable solutions. Improper IT asset disposition is detrimental to the environment, and having a safe disposition plan mitigates environmental liability and helps achieve environmental ESG goals.
Most electronics today, including smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, vapes, desktops, and even small appliances, are made with lithium-ion batteries. While it’s never safe to throw batteries out with the municipal waste, LIBs are exceptionally dangerous due to their explosive nature. When damaged, LIBs are known to cause chemical fires that take extended periods to extinguish and require special treatment. When IT assets are thrown out or left on the curb for the regular trash run, they typically end up in landfills, potentially burning hundreds of acres of land or catching garbage trucks on fire.
Improper disposal of IT equipment can lead to environmental pollution and result in lawsuits and other legal issues. Last year, a landfill in Alabama made headlines for being one of the longest-burning underground landfill fires and was still burning early this year. The fire’s origin remains unknown, but reports of unauthorized waste like scrap tires and appliances were made despite the landfill claiming to be “green waste.” Events like this often affect surrounding residents, leading to lawsuits and costly legal fees that can damage an enterprise’s reputation.
Another factor to consider before tossing out IT assets is data security. Data remains on a device until properly sanitized, and improper IT asset disposition leaves IT hardware vulnerable to hackers and may result in data breaches. ITAD providers offer data security solutions, including onsite data erasure and customizable reverse logistics services.
End-of-life facilities like HOBI partner with companies looking to retire old IT assets and ensure they are disposed of properly. Proper disposal mitigates potential fire risks and damage to a company’s environmental policies. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, HOBI prioritizes client satisfaction and environmental safety. Partnering with an ITAD vendor will help prevent catastrophes like landfill fires and company and employee data from falling into the wrong hands.