TL;DR
Ever wondered what happens to your work computer after you return it to IT?
A well-managed IT asset disposition (ITAD) process ensures it doesn’t go to waste. Instead, devices are securely erased, refurbished, resold, or recycled – saving costs and reducing environmental impact.
✅ Data security first: All devices are wiped to remove sensitive information.
✅ Refurbishment extends device lifespan: Many are repaired and reused instead of discarded.
✅ Recycling minimizes e-waste: Valuable materials like aluminum and gold are recovered.
✅ Sustainability meets savings: Leading companies cut costs while reducing their carbon footprint.
So, how does ITAD actually work and why is it relevant for my company? Let’s break it down.
Why IT lifecycle management matters more than ever
With 80% of a laptop’s environmental impact coming from production, unmanaged IT assets lead to waste and unnecessary costs. Companies like Dustin Group, with a 90% reusability rate, prove that refurbishing and reselling devices is far more efficient than letting them sit idle or be discarded.
A strong IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) strategy helps businesses cut costs, reduce e-waste, and enhance security. Refurbishing devices lowers CO₂ emissions and conserves resources, making IT lifecycle management a smart move for both sustainability and financial efficiency. With 78% of employees back in offices (IDC study), now is the time for businesses to rethink how they manage returned devices to gain a financial and operational advantage.
A Rise study found that reusing a single laptop prevents 280 kg of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to driving 2,800 km – and reusing it twice saves 560 kg of CO₂, the same as planting 24 trees.
What is IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and how does it work?
IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) ensures that returned devices don’t end up as waste but are securely erased, refurbished, resold, or recycled. Numerous suppliers offer services for this purpose, ranging from takeback suppliers like Dustin, Foxway, and Inrego to software suppliers such as Blancco.
But how does ITAD work in detail? Let's break it down into three key steps:
Step 1 - Secure data erasure
Devices are wiped clean using industry-standard methods like overwriting or secure erasure to delete all stored data, ensuring that no sensitive information remains on the devices.
Step 2 - Device condition assessment
IT teams evaluate age, physical condition, and technical specifications to determine whether the device should be refurbished, resold, or recycled.
Step 3 - Refurbish, resell, or recycle
Based on the evaluation results, a decision is made regarding the best course of action for the IT assets. This might include either Option A) refurbishing or reselling, or Option B) recycling, aligning with their condition and the broader goals of the organization.
- Refurbishment: Devices in good condition are cleaned, repaired, and tested, with parts replaced and screens fixed to restore them to like-new quality.
- Recycling: Devices unfit for refurbishment are dismantled for valuable materials. Companies like Stena Recycling recover aluminum, copper, gold, and silver, ensuring proper disposal of hazardous components.
How industry leaders are transforming IT asset management
The shift toward responsible IT lifecycle management is already happening:
- Apple – Committed to carbon neutrality by 2030, cutting emissions by 45% since 2015 while increasing revenue by 65%.
- Lenovo – Launched Lenovo Certified Refurbished, ensuring 71% of devices are reused instead of discarded.
- Dell – Prevents 1,000+ tons of e-waste annually by refurbishing and recycling all returned devices.
Apple sets a strong example, with nearly 20% of its materials now sourced from recycled sources. In 2021 alone, 59% of the aluminum used in Apple devices came from recycled materials.
Watch the video below to learn more about Daisy, Apple's recycling robot.
Employee awareness: The missing piece in IT sustainability
While IT teams manage assets, employees play a crucial role in ensuring responsible use and return of work devices:
📢 67% of employees want their workplaces to be more sustainable (Business Waste study).
📢 Proper device handling and IT return processes reduce waste and extend device lifespan.
📢 Educating employees about reuse and recycling options helps maximize resource efficiency.
Discover how giving employees more control over their work tools boosts productivity and satisfaction in this article on employee choice.
A work laptop isn’t obsolete when returned – it’s just entering its next lifecycle. The key question is: Is your company making the most of its IT assets, or letting valuable resources go to waste?
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Final thought: Making the most of your IT assets
A well-planned approach to ITAD isn’t just good for the environment, it also boosts security and makes financial sense.
That’s where Velory comes in. Our platform automates IT asset management, making it easy to track devices, manage vendors, and handle renewals – helping businesses get the most out of their IT investments. Plus, by focusing on sustainability, Velory helps extend device lifecycles and reduce waste, making IT management smarter, simpler, and more cost-effective.
Looking to optimize your IT assets while keeping costs down? Velory makes it effortless. 🚀
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