What should I do with my old / unused / redundant IT equipment? / How to (correctly) dispose / get rid of my old / unused / redundant IT?

To get rid of your old/used/redundant IT equipment, you need to consider data security and sustainable practices. This means partnering with a fully accredited ITAD (IT Asset Disposal or Disposition) company who are certified and prioritise refurbishing/reviving IT equipment for reuse and repurposing. This maximises profit from the old/used/redundant equipment and maintains the highest standards of security and sustainability.

Why must I consider sustainability and security?

An ITAD/IT Refurbishing/Repairing/Repurposing/Recycling partner that is operating correctly will always look for the most sustainable option whilst maintaining complete security. This helps your organisation/business, as the most value will be captured from your old/unused/redundant IT.

This value can be financial, social or both! You can help people by bridging the digital divide through donating devices or reselling them for a reduced price, making devices more affordable. The profits from sold devices can also be donated or go back into a business/organisation’s budget. Beyond this, a company can display commitment to ESG - as the devices will avoid landfill - with the worst case scenario being that they should be broken down for parts and sent to appropriate recycling centres, ideally reviving/repairing/refurbishing devices for reuse wherever possible.

What financial value can my old / unused / redundant IT equipment have?

Equipment that is processed sooner will be more likely to be able to be revived/repaired/refurbished for reuse which means the device can often be securely data cleansed and sold on. The profits from the sale can be returned to you to be used for your business/organisation’s budget. With larger batches of old IT equipment, this can quickly add up to help out your business/organisation. Also, if one department in your organisation/business can make use of another department’s redundant equipment, this can save a lot on IT budgets as reusing devices saves having to buy new ones.

What social value can my old / unused / redundant IT equipment have?

When the devices are data cleansed and can still be reused, some businesses may wish to donate the working devices - especially laptops - to a charity. Lots of charities work directly with people who are most in need of digital devices to be able to start careers and have access to essential services. They do great work to help bridge the digital divide.

What social and financial value can my old/unused/redundant IT equipment have?

With devices that are sold, the person buying it will get it at a more affordable price which, in turn, helps bridge the digital divide - while donating devices to people helps the most.

Working with a properly accredited/certified ITAD will help your company to prove its commitment to its ESG strategy and to achieve it. This is one part of an ESG strategy but IT waste is a huge problem - it is the fastest-growing waste stream - and so organisations/businesses both big and small need to deal with their IT equipment in a secure and sustainable way - avoiding landfill entirely.

ICEX always look to achieve the most value for our clients, aligning with their priorities and what they want done with their equipment, offering the most sustainable options whilst maintaining security. Nothing ICEX processes goes to landfill with recycling being our last resort and always aiming for reviving/repairing/refurbishing for reuse.

What standards are essential when using an ITAD/computer recycling/refurbishing company?

You must make sure that the ITAD/computer recycling/refurbishing company are approved by the Environmental Agency.

ICEX operate with the Environment Agency Waste Management Licence and Environment Agency Waste Carriers Licence.

You must make sure that the ITAD/computer recycling/refurbishing company are ISO certified to meet certain standards:

·       ISO 27001 - What is ISO 27001? It is an international standard that sets out the requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS), offering a structured framework for organisations to manage and protect sensitive information. It supports organisations/businesses in establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, and maintaining effective information security by identifying risks and applying appropriate controls to safeguard data such as customer information, financial records, and intellectual property. Achieving ISO 27001 certification demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to best-practice information security, helping to build trust with clients and partners.

·       ISO 14001 - What is ISO 14001? It is an international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), providing a framework that enables organisations to manage their environmental impact and enhance their environmental performance. It is the world’s most widely recognised EMS standard, offering guidance on implementing policies and procedures to control waste, reduce energy consumption, and minimise pollution. By adopting ISO 14001, organisations can improve sustainability, reduce waste, increase resource efficiency, ensure compliance with environmental legislation, and enhance their reputation.

·       ISO 9001 - What is ISO 9001? It is the internationally recognised standard for a Quality Management System (QMS), providing a framework for organisations to ensure their products and services consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. It is applicable to organisations/businesses of any size or sector and emphasises continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Achieving ISO 9001 certification demonstrates a commitment to quality, resulting in increased efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced customer confidence.

ICEX are fully accredited/certified with the ISO standards of ISO 27001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.

What other considerations should you make?

Consider ITADs with additional certification, such as:

·       Being registered and certified with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office)

·       Holding Cyber Essentials certification

·       Being fully insured

ICEX are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office, holding an ICO Registration Certificate.

ICEX has a Cyber Essentials Certificate.

ICEX is fully insured.

When utilising an ITAD company, make sure they try to take advantage of powerful data cleansing/sanitisation software (such as Blancco) that provides the same absolute security of physical shredding and retaining the sustainability benefits of allowing hard drives and data-bearing parts to be reused when they’ve been securely data cleansed. This helps people and the planet as devices are much more likely to be able to just be reused or revived/refurbished/repaired for reuse (after data sanitisation).

ICEX use Blancco software to securely wipe/data cleanse devices.

Why choose ICEX as your ITAD or IT Refurbishing / Repairing / Repurposing / Recycling partner providing Secure Technology Asset Revival and / or Relocation services?

ICEX are committed to making ITAD/the handling of old/used/redundant IT equipment as efficient and stress-free as possible. ICEX regularly hear from clients that we are efficient and easy to work with, citing customer service and ease of communication to get the job done smoothly without any headaches.

Where does ICEX operate?

ICEX operates out of Essex near London and covers the whole of the UK! If you are in London/Essex or the South East or anywhere else in the whole of the UK, contact our team today! - https://www.icex.co.uk/contact

What happens when you contact the ICEX team to use our ITAD / IT refurbishing / recycling services to sustainably and securely look after your redundant IT suite?

After you contact the ICEX ITAD/IT refurbishing/recycling team:

1.     We get your IT Asset list and agree terms

2.     At the agreed time/date, we send our DBS-checked team in our secure, GPS-tracked vehicles to your location.

3.     We issue a Consignment Note - a Transfer of Duty of Care - prior to IT assets being remote from your site.

4.     All your IT assets are logged on arrival at our secure, approved facility.

5.     We process data to your requirements, including secure erasure using CESG-approved software. We provide you with Certification of the process.

6.     If a hard drive cannot be erased, it is removed, logged and shredded within our facility. We provide you with Certification of the process.

7.     All assets are cleaned, and asset tags or identifying marks are removed.

8.     We provide a comprehensive inventory within 20 working days of collection.

Those are the ICEX ITAD/IT refurbishing/recycling service’s eight process steps for secure technology asset revival for reuse (and recycling if necessary).

What else can ICEX do for your IT suite?

Other services are available on request, including:

·       Onsite erasure

·       Onsite shredding

·       Secure asset relocation

·       Circular IT asset management

·       Sustainable IT consultancy

ICEX can handle all aspects of a full decommission and if, after being data cleansed, your devices can still be made use of by your team or perhaps another department with less powerful computing requirements, then the ICEX team can handle a full recommissioning also.

How do you contact ICEX?

Contact our team today for a dedicated and fully certified ITAD/computer recycling/refurbishing partner who can securely and sustainably handle your old/used/redundant IT equipment using the email/number below or follow here for our contact page: https://www.icex.co.uk/contact

📧 info@icex.co.uk

📞 01376 503900

The ICEX GROUP mission is to make technology circular, by securely reviving, relocating and recycling IT assets to bridge the digital divide and reduce e-waste.