Electronics Recycling and ITAD: What’s the Difference?

Did you know that the world produced more than 53 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019? And with the increase in internet of things (IoT) devices, big data and cloud computing, that number will continue to rise.

The massive influx of electronic devices begs the question: When the time comes, how do we properly dispose of them?

If your company is proactive, you may already have a vendor in mind who can help you with this process. However, it’s important to understand that not all methods of asset disposal are the same.

Two methods that are often confused are electronics recycling and ITAD. There are several factors that can help you determine which disposal method is right for you.

The electronics recycling process 

Electronics recycling has its place. There are several scenarios where companies may choose to work with an electronics recycling vendor as opposed to an ITAD vendor.

Electronics recycling is warranted when:

• Your electronic assets are broken beyond repair to the point where no one would buy them. This means they can’t be refurbished and no longer hold any monetary value.
• Your electronic assets exceed their “best before” date. Old electronics have little to no value.
• You’re ok paying to have your assets destroyed.
• You’re not concerned with reporting services and don’t need a certificate of destruction.
• You’re ok with multiple fee scales for recycling services based on the type of material, weight or volume.

Want to learn more about developing an effective, secure and profitable ITAD disposition program for your business? Download our free guide here!

The ITAD process

Unlike electronics recycling, ITAD can be a revenue driver for your company. It’s a secure and effective way to manage end-of-life assets.

IT asset disposal is warranted when:

• Your assets are less than five years old and still function or seem repairable.
• Your assets store sensitive data and you want to avoid a data breach. ITAD helps you protect your customers’ data and your brand image.
• You want documentation of services rendered and peace of mind that your data is properly destroyed.
• You’re interested in retrieving device-licensed software from end-of-life-assets.
• You’re interested in a return on your initial investment. You may receive a small return on your assets if equipment can be refurbished.
• You want to work with a company that is aware of and abides by industry regulations. Maintaining compliance is important to you.
• You want to work with an environmentally conscious company that strives to minimize its carbon footprint by refurbishing any equipment they can and harvesting parts for repair of other equipment.
• You want to provide businesses and individually who do not need – or can’t afford – brand new equipment an opportunity to access IT assets economically.

Which process is right for you? 

Take inventory of which electronic assets and how many of each your organization owns. Now assess your asset management policy. Do your employees hold onto their assets until they break or exceed their lifespan or do you replace phones, laptops, computer monitors, etc. on a regular basis? Start by determining what your asset environment looks like so you can determine which end-of-life process is the best fit for your organization’s needs.

Are you interested in learning more about how Tech Dump can partner with you to securely manage your retired IT assets? Give us a call at (763) 432-3117!