by Michael Fink

ITAD, also known as Information Technology Asset Disposition, is a term used to describe the disposal of old electronics and other IT equipment in a safe, secure, and environmentally friendly manner. A recent Statista.com study revealed that over 4 trillion dollars will be spent on IT equipment worldwide in 2021 alone, representing an 8.4% increase in spending compared to 2020. Global expenditures on electronics and IT assets have been steadily rising over the last few years, which is a testament to the fact that having new and updated technology is essential for any successful modern business.

When companies purchase new technology, proper disposal of their old technology becomes essential. As a result, these companies must find ways to dispose of unneeded electronics while protecting sensitive data; this is at the core of ITAD. Since companies are spending more money on technology yearly, it is not a coincidence that ITAD has become a critical part of their technology lifecycle.

For a deeper explanation as to what ITAD is, check out:

A Guide To IT Asset Disposition: What Is ITAD?

Why ITAD Is Necessary

Old electronics and IT assets cannot simply be thrown away in the garbage because this creates a variety of problems for both companies and the world as a whole. Throwing away old electronics results in them ending up in a landfill, which can lead to devastating effects on the environment’s health. It also increases the likelihood of sensitive company data getting into the hands of hackers and other criminals.

Thankfully, ITAD services ensure that companies dispose of electronics in an environmentally friendly and secure manner. ITAD is a win/win proposition because it is good for the environment, and it also prevents sensitive, confidential information from being at risk of data breaches. Choosing ITAD as a solution creates peace of mind for businesses because they know that their information is safe. Working with an ITAD provider ensures that they are being compliant with corporate regulations and standards regarding electronics disposal.

To learn more about the devastating consequences of improper e-waste disposal, click here.

What Is E-waste?

When does ITAD happen?

ITAD typically occurs in either of the following scenarios:

• The current technology at a company reaches the end of its useful life and is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the business; this can happen if the technology stops working correctly or if it simply becomes outdated over time.
• Companies engage in a “technology refresh,” which is another way of saying that a business has purchased new technology. These refresh cycles typically occur every 3-5 years, so companies buy new technology and discard their old technology on a fairly regular and consistent basis. As a result, businesses need to find services that both recycle their electronic equipment environmentally and securely destroy/protect company data.

Benefits of Using ITAD Services.

Many ITAD providers (including us here at Genesis Dome) provide ITAD services that are beneficial in several different aspects.

• Data is protected/destructed securely – If technology and other IT assets are disposed of improperly, the likelihood of precious data getting into the hands of cybercriminals increases significantly. According to csoonline.com, a website specializing in data security, the average total cost of a data breach in 2020 was about 3.85 million dollars. Data breaches can also lead to additional revenue and intellectual company property losses and damages to brand reputation. Fortunately, using certified ITAD services prevents the possibility of these adverse outcomes from ever happening in the first place. Genesis Dome’s data destruction specialists help guide you to individualized ITAD data destruction programs based on your needs. Our military-grade hard drive shredding, wiping, and crushing services eliminate any data breach concerns and ensure that your data is destroyed safely and securely. We are also in compliance with guidelines from the National Security Agency (NSA), Department of Defense (DOD), National Institute Standards of Technology (NIST), Responsible Recycling (R2), and other governmental agencies, so you can rest assured that your company information is protected and safely destroyed when it is in our facility.
• Good for the environment – Genesis Dome’s 100% zero-landfill mission has always been at the forefront of our operations, and our ITAD services are no exception. When you work with us, you can be sure that your old electronics will never end up in a landfill and potentially cause harm to the environment. ITAD makes the world a cleaner, better place for everyone.
• Financial gain – ITAD can be a financially rewarding opportunity as well. Just because IT assets become out of date over time does not mean they are worthless. We offer sanitization services that wipe confidential company data off hard drives but do not physically destroy the hard drives themselves. Thus, some electronics can be refurbished and resold after passing the rigorous inspection and testing processes in our labs. Some of the value from these recycled IT assets returns to you through value recovery and revenue sharing programs tailored individually to your needs. We also offer auditable reports that include the serial number of each IT asset serviced. This process allows you to receive monthly statements on behalf of your value recovery service, as each serial number is refurbished, which ensures that you are getting the most value possible out of your IT assets. This is a financial opportunity on the back end of the product lifecycle management cycle that improves a company’s bottom line.
• Eliminates office clutter – Old electronics take up physical space in offices and create a sense of disorganization and disarray. Fortunately, using ITAD services gets unwanted electronics out of offices, removing clutter and allowing your office space to function more efficiently.

The Future of ITAD

ITAD will continue to become more important as time goes on, and it is easy to see why. As e-waste production totals continue to climb, ITAD is a fundamental step that any company can take to help make the world a better place. Whether you are upgrading, updating, or want to get rid of old IT assets, ITAD is the way to go. It is an environmentally friendly, secure, and potentially even lucrative way to dispose of old electronics.