We all have a carbon footprint, individuals and businesses alike. This ‘footprint’ is a measure of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of your actions. From the transport you take and the food you eat, to the clothes you wear and the technology you use, there’s a whole host of factors that affect the size of your carbon footprint. While data shows that global CO2 emissions are slowing, there is still a lot that we could be doing to reduce our carbon footprint – but this doesn’t have to involve huge changes. Something as simple as responsible ITAD could make a big difference. Here’s how.
It’s only natural that your business’ IT needs change as you grow and develop. However, as IT accounts for such a sizable proportion of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, it’s important to react to these changing needs in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Establishing a lifecycle management plan is the first step to doing just that, while rethinking how you decommission data centres and dispose of redundant IT equipment is essential to reducing your company’s carbon footprint.
Minimising e-waste, increasing opportunities
E-waste, that’s waste consisting of technological equipment, poses a huge risk to the environment. IT equipment contains a wide range of potentially dangerous elements, from metals that can cause harm to humans, to chemicals that can pollute soil and water systems. As such, it is important to make a conscious effort to reduce our global production of e-waste, which means looking into other avenues of disposing of redundant IT equipment. A well-established IT asset management plan opens up opportunities for the resale, reuse and recycling of your old equipment.
Resale
Reselling your redundant IT equipment is the ideal ITAD solution, if possible. Not only do you avoid landfill, you can also offset the cost of new IT equipment. But resale isn’t as simple as putting your computers on eBay and waiting for a buyer. Firstly, you need to ensure that all data is erased from your assets to minimise the risk of a data breach. Secondly, you need to identify the correct market and time to sell for your needs. Luckily, an ITAD partner can help you with both of these aspects. Not only is an ITAD supplier specialised in secure data erasure, the best ITAD partners also have contacts around the world, opening up a huge variety of resale markets. They can also advise whether you would be best to sell items individually or as sets and when is best to sell a particular piece of equipment.
Reuse
Perhaps a computer is broken, or it no longer fulfils your company’s needs. Sometimes a simple refurbishment or hardware upgrade is all you need to find a use for it, even if that’s in another department of your business. Investing in repairs and refurbishment doesn’t just reduce your company’s carbon footprint, it also reduces your outgoings, as repairing for reuse is almost always cheaper than buying a new device.
Recycling
Unfortunately, there are some situations in which it is not possible to resell or repair your IT assets – but that’s not to say they need to be sent to landfill. There may be certain components that are suitable for recycling, whether that’s using its parts to refurbish a broken device or otherwise. Once again, your ITAD supplier will be able to offer valuable advice as to which is the best route to take.
Reducing global demand
Whichever of these options you take, reselling, reusing and recycling redundant IT assets reduces overall global demand for new products. In turn, this reduces your company’s carbon footprint, as it means fewer fossil fuels are required to meet global demand for IT products.
Choosing your ITAD partner
It goes without saying that a reliable ITAD partner is a valuable resource when it comes to reducing your company’s carbon footprint. These service providers will ensure that all sensitive data is erased before the next stage of its life cycle, as well as providing a network of contacts for the best resale markets. Your ITAD partner will also be able to advise on which items can be resold and how to yield the maximum resale value.
In the case that one, or some, of your devices are not suitable for resale or recycling, your ITAD provider can help you dispose of your redundant assets in a way that complies with environmental protection regulation to minimise any negative impacts on the environment.
With over 25 years industry experience, tier1 are proud to be the UK’s most accredited ITAD supplier. We possess the skills, accreditations and experience to handle our clients’ data with the care they deserve, and to dispose of it responsibility and legally. tier1 remains focussed on enhancing resources, capabilities and compliance in line with evolving clients’ needs and changing legislative requirements.
Contact us today on 0161 777 1000 or visit https://tier1.com to find out how we can help you reduce your company’s carbon footprint with ITAD.
