IT assets are utilized in every business and inevitably need to be replaced. Sometimes, IT hardware can pile up in closets and take up storage space if not disposed of properly. However, a large obstacle for many businesses is not knowing how to dispose of retired IT equipment, and a recent survey revealed several reasons why e-waste accumulates.
Value-added ITAD, or vITAD, services are service offerings that augment the traditional ITAD model with several additional facets of the industry, including support for remote workers, R2v3 certification, robust ERP, data privacy, and ESG reporting. These additions are part of the shifting ITAD landscape and provide many enterprise benefits.
Electronics are used in almost every aspect of daily life. As important as they are, it’s equally important to ensure electronics are properly maintained and upgraded periodically to prevent technical issues. Maintenance can become costly over time, as well as upgrading to new devices. Value-added ITAD services like donations programs help maximize the value of retired IT assets while providing used electronics to those without access.
Certifications are a part of any business, and they can be difficult for some industries to achieve due to how complex they have become, especially in the ITAD industry. According to e-Stewards’ acting certification director, Selena Turnock, certification standards all over have been getting longer and more tedious.
The electronics industry has grown exponentially in the last 20 years and is successful in all facets. One obstacle many consumers face is what to do with devices after retirement. Electronics recycling, a lesser-known industry, is an eco-friendly way to dispose of retired IT assets. However, the industry has faced many challenges, some more recently than others.
HOBI president and co-founder Craig Boswell testified this week before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Boswell addressed the needs of improving critical mineral recovery capacity through electronic waste, recycling, and reuse.
ESG reporting is now a prerequisite for many businesses seeking vendors and partners. ESG goals can help an enterprise provide transparency and accountability within the workplace. ESG reporting helps an organization expand its horizons, find sustainable solutions, and practice inclusivity and diversity.
The transition deadline for R2v3 certification passed last month, and many businesses in the industry are now certified to the new standards. However, it may be more difficult to achieve for smaller businesses, and SERI is planning programs, including mentoring initiatives, to help smaller companies move toward certification and build a more equitable recycling network.
In an evolving business landscape, ITAD providers are adjusting service offerings to include additional services that better meet clients’ needs during changing times. These value-added services are the next generation of IT asset disposition, a concept pioneered by HOBI as vITAD.
Fall is around the corner, and many companies are preparing to clean out storage closets, which typically includes disposing of retired IT assets that have been piling up all summer. IT asset disposition enterprises like HOBI collect retired IT equipment and ensure it is properly disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner while ensuring quick, safe transport.