Business, and the technology that supports it, moves fast. As our reliance on technology to drive business success increases, so too does our need for high-spec IT equipment. IT asset disposal has therefore become commonplace as organisations seek to replace old with new. But how can enterprises reconcile their requirement for top-performing IT assets with increasingly ambitious sustainability goals? The answer is IT recycling.
The European Parliament reports that e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in Europe and just 40% of it gets recycled. As organisations embrace digital transformation – and therefore the world’s e-waste mounts – the issue of IT waste is becoming ever more critical.
IT recycling enables organisations to ensure their retired IT equipment does not go to landfill. Desktops, laptops and monitors can all be disposed of safely and sustainably. As part of this process, it is important to remember that retired IT equipment can be refurbished to work as new. Organisations should therefore look for an IT recycling provider that reuses and refurbishes as much as they can. This has a positive impact on the planet, and on organisations, in three key areas – the three Cs – Circular Economy, Carbon Footprint and Cost.
IT recycling and the circular economy
The way we work and live is evolving. Consumers and businesses require multiple devices that can handle high volumes of data and sophisticated software. That presents a serious cost burden, as well an environmental one. A circular economy can ease these pressures by keeping materials, components and products in use in the economy for as long as possible. When done correctly – and holistically to include the refurbishment of decommissioned equipment – IT recycling can be extremely effective in achieving this.
At Vyta, we collect unwanted IT equipment from organisations across Europe and endeavour to refurbish and resell as much as we can through our retail brand, RefreshedByUs. All equipment is sustainably and securely processed, ensuring GDPR compliance and the complete destruction of all data. Everything is graded on its physical condition and anything that is suitable for refurbishment undergoes a 23-step certified refurbishment process, which includes a full examination and the reinstallation of genuine licences.
These measures help to keep IT equipment in the circular economy, while enabling individuals and businesses to save as much as 80% on the cost of high-end, big brand IT equipment.
IT recycling to reduce your carbon footprint
More and more businesses are pledging to become climate neutral. In Ireland and the UK, the Techies Go Green movement encourages IT and tech-oriented companies to join forces to decarbonise their businesses, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
At Vyta, we see first-hand how IT recycling and the purchasing of refurbished IT assets can support businesses in achieving this. Last year, RefreshedByUs processed 10,082 devices – including desktops, laptops and monitors – for re-use. In total, those devices represent 1,045 tonnes (1,044,611kg) in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) savings, when compared to purchasing brand new ones.
Anything that we cannot refurbish for resale is recycled in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Importantly, we also ensure customers know where their IT recycling is happening, providing a complete trail of the waste material’s journey to its final location. We then issue an IT recycling Certificate of Destruction as a guarantee that the equipment been recycled. These steps ensure that just 1% of the materials recovered by Vyta end up in landfill.
Cost
Refurbished IT equipment not only helps the environment, but it also allows businesses to save on cost. This is a significant benefit in the age of hybrid working, as companies must ensure that employees working from both home and the office are fully equipped with the right tools.
Workers now require multiple costly, high-end IT equipment to handle increasingly demanding software applications. Organisations can lessen the expense of this shift and save on the cost of high-spec IT equipment by purchasing devices that have gone through an IT refurbishment process. Companies can get business grade refurbished laptops and IT assets while saving a substantial amount. They can also realise the value of equipment no longer in use, by selling it.
Vyta provides an IT equipment buyback service and based on the cosmetic grade of the equipment and current market conditions, we can provide a valuation of old IT assets. We can then purchase the recycled IT equipment, ensuring it undergoes the secure process of data destruction, refurbishment and IT recycling. Through reselling upcycled IT devices, RefreshedByUs returned €7 million to organisations across Ireland and the UK in 2019 and 2020.
