The Top Benefits of IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) for the Environment

Responsible IT Asset Disposition can deliver environmental benefits at multiple levels. One goal is keeping hazardous materials, including lead, cadmium, beryllium, brominated flame retardants, and mercury, out of landfills. Electronics can contain hazardous materials; secure recycling with documented downstream handling helps manage these materials.

Material recovery is the second environmental benefit. Electronics contain copper, gold, silver, palladium, aluminum, steel, and rare earth elements, all of which require energy-intensive mining to produce from primary sources. Recovering these materials from recycled electronics reduces demand for primary mining, with its associated habitat destruction, chemical use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The third environmental benefit is extended device lifespan through refurbishment. Working computers, phones, and networking equipment that receive secure data wipes can be sold into the secondary market for reuse, avoiding the environmental cost of manufacturing a new device entirely. Ask providers how they evaluate incoming equipment for remarketing potential and prioritize reuse where appropriate. This hierarchy, reuse first, then recycle, can maximize the environmental value of an ITAD engagement. Call 866-770-2650.