In an era of environmental sustainability, the Reuse of IT Assets is gaining increasing attention. With technology evolving rapidly, electronic devices perceived lifespan is reduced long before they actually cease to be functional. As organizations aim to keep pace with technological advancements, older IT assets are frequently discarded, contributing to the mounting problem of electronic waste (e-waste). Reusing IT devices offers a more sustainable alternative, as it reduces e-waste and promotes a circular economy.
In this article, we will cover how reusing IT assets contributes to corporate sustainability strategies, the environmental benefits it offers, and the best practices organizations can implement for successful IT asset reuse.
The Growing E-Waste Challenge
The developed world disposes of electrical waste at a staggering rate, and it reached a total of 53.6 million metric tons in 2019 and is expected to climb up to 74 million metric tons in 2030. E-waste is composed of used or dismantled or discarded electronic items for instance used computers, mobile phones, or used servers among others, and this e-waste holds metallic and plastic elements, and rare minerals. Regrettably, much of this waste is disposed improperly, getting dumped in landfills where lead, mercury, and cadmium can find their way into the environment polluting soil and water.
It is assessed that only 20% of the global e-waste is recycled through accredited companies while the rest is either burned or buried, posing severe health and environmental degradation consequences. This is where IT asset reuse comes into play as a critical intervention strategy for reducing the pressure for raw materials, mitigating e-waste, and curtailing greenhouse gas emission arising from new production.
Understanding IT Asset Reuse
IT asset reuse entails using IT equipment for other functions anew within the organization, selling it, and donating to other organizations or even to non-profits to bridge the digital divide. Education laptops, servers, network equipment, old-style mobile phones, etc., instead of being considered as waste products after their first life cycle, can be assessed for further utilization, likely internally or externally.
In corporate settings, IT asset reuse can take several forms:
- Internal redeployment: IT assets can be reallocated within an organization facility, and departments or groups especially when they don’t need high levels computing.
- Reselling to secondary markets: Businesses can dispose of their retired IT equipment, and pass them to other businesses, Refurbisher or consumers cheaper.
- Donations to schools, charities, or non-profits: The used devices could be given out in schools, or any other organizations, thus narrowing the digital gap, while at the same time fulfilling the company’s CSR goals.
Benefits of Reusing IT Assets for Sustainability
-
Reduction in E-Waste
Reusing IT assets tackles the issue of rising e-waste in that it avoids returning old electronic gadgets for disposal. This means that when companies decide to elongate the lifespan of their hardware they eliminate the number of end-of-life units that are deemed for the dump – which goes a long way in promoting environmental sustainability. For Reusing the device, it is important that the organization follow secure data erasure practices, and erases data before device changes hands or moves out of the company premise.
-
Conservation of Natural Resources
The manufacture of new circuit boards entails the use of raw materials such as metals, and rare earth minerals whose acquisition is energy extensive and contributes to exhaustion of natural resources. That way, organizations can greatly lessen the new materials and energy consumption cum pollution from mining and manufacturing required for new IT assets.
-
Lower Carbon Footprint
Manufacturing of IT assets involves significant carbon emissions due to the energy consumption throughout the supply chain. Selecting the usage of existing IT assets reduces the production of devices hence minimizing on the emission of greenhouse gases. By some estimates, reusing computers can reduce greenhouse gases by as much as 80 percent as opposed to building new machines.
-
Cost Savings
Even from a financial standpoint, reusing IT assets delivers substantial cost savings for the businesses. Purchasing new equipment comes with high upfront costs, while reusing or refurbishing existing hardware allows businesses to maximize their investment. Additionally, reselling or donating IT assets can generate revenue or tax deductions, adding further value to the reuse strategy.
-
Empowering Digital Inclusion
Many underprivileged or developing communities & schools across the globe are without modern technology including internet. Opting to donate reused IT equipment is an effective way to help support those incapables of affording technology now by connecting them with equipment. Managed properly, reused devices can play a vital role in outfitting schools, non-profit organizations, and disadvantaged groups with equipment needed to facilitate education, skill building and economic development. This helps not only the recipients but also the donating organization to improve their position concerning the CSR – corporate social responsibility.
Best Practices for IT Asset Reuse
For an effective IT asset reuse strategy, organizations must follow a systematic approach that ensures the smooth transition of IT assets while maintaining data security, and compliance with laws & regulations. Data is the new gold, and if found on the reused IT device, and be a reason for a data breach episode. Organizations must therefore, adapt to the best practices listed below in order to promote reusability effectively.
-
Perform Audits of IT Asset Periodically
Organizations should evaluate their IT inventory at regular intervals to assess & identify the devices that is no longer in use or nearing the end of its current lifecycle. Regular audits can help determine which devices can be repurposed internally or externally.
-
Implement Secure Data Erasure Protocols
One of the main concerns faced by organizations is that when reusing or donating IT assets, the compliance officers want to ensure that the sensitive data is securely erased from the devices. Organizations should therefore use only certified data erasure solutions like BitRaser to wipe data permanently beyond recovery in order to prevent data breaches and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
-
Partner with Certified IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Providers
Companies of size can also partner with ITADs and avail their services of disposing of IT assets securely. In this case the company must check the processes followed by the ITADs, their certification and the software they use for wiping, and the standard they adhere too. Partnering with a certified ITAD company that is R2 or e-Stewards certified ensures that the data sanitization & destruction process to resale is handled securely, and sustainably.
-
Document a Data Destruction policy
Companies must formulate a data destruction policy that lists the devices and the methods to wipe or destruct data in order to remain compliant. The policy must also list the treatment of the device if it has bad sectors and is not accessible. IT Employees must also be trained regularly on the same.
-
Inculcate a Circular Economy Mindset
Embracing IT asset reuse is a step toward adopting a circular economy model, where products and resources are kept in use for as long as possible, minimizing waste. Organizations can work on broadening their horizon for sustainability strategies, encouraging departments to prioritize reuse over disposal and aligning with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
-
Track and Report on Sustainability Metrics
To showcase the success of IT asset reuse efforts, companies should track metrics such as the number of devices reused, cost savings, and environmental impact (e.g., reduction in e-waste or carbon emissions). Reporting these achievements can reinforce sustainability commitments to stakeholders and customers.
Key Take Away
Reusing IT assets presents a powerful opportunity for organizations to contribute to sustainability while realizing cost savings and operational efficiencies. By extending the life of electronic devices, companies can play an active role in reducing e-waste, conserving natural resources, and minimizing their environmental footprint.
