The Importance of Device Reuse over Destruction

There’s value in your old hardware, if you know how to leverage it. Choosing an ITAD provider is about more than just e-recycling—the right ITAD provider can help you get the most out of your decommissioned equipment, extending its value to move your business forward in its decommissioning as it did throughout its small, electronic life. ITAD providers promote device reuse over destruction, benefiting the environment, their communities and their bottom lines.

R2v3 and e-Stewards certifications promote device reuse over recycling, as part of the environmental portions of their regulations. According to a 2024 UNITAR study, the world’s generation of electronic waste is rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling. While recycling equipment means that less virgin materials need to be mined for the next generation of hardware, getting another year or two out of equipment is the greener solution by far. For devices that are still usable, R2 and e-Stewards—the industry standards in ITAD certification—recommend that organizations wipe and resell usable devices, lowering the demand for new equipment and keeping older equipment available.

Though older equipment may not help your business keep up with the competition, that doesn’t mean it’s reached the end of the line. Leveraging this equipment through employee buybacks and donation programs is a simple and effective way that organizations can give back to their employees and their communities.

Many businesses implement buyback programs that allow their employees to purchase decommissioned laptops. These laptops are often 3-5 years old. While they are no longer on the cutting edge, they are perfect for personal laptops or for college-aged children that need devices for school. Because businesses typically buy nicer devices, employee buyback programs give employees access to quality devices without having to pay the high cost.

Donation programs extend the value of used hardware into the community. Community programs often accept devices like laptops and tablets, and many are designed to help veterans, children and the elderly have access to the technology they need to do their work and stay connected. Though less common, there are also programs that accept enterprise IT equipment to help train the next generation of IT leaders.

By choosing reuse over recycling, organizations aren’t just being green, they are recovering funds to return to their IT budget. ITAD providers offer consignment programs that wipe and sell eligible equipment, lowering the cost of ITAD or even pouring funds back into your IT budget. While your organization might not have a use for older equipment, others may be looking for a replacement unit or equipment for backups, non-vital systems, seasonal use or temporary use.

CentricsIT, with over 18 years of expertise, continues to lead the way in IT asset disposition, emphasizing data security, resale opportunities, environmentally conscious recycling, and a commitment to certifications and compliance. To ensure quality, our ITAD facilities maintain R2v3, ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and ISO 45001. For more information about how our ITAD programs can extend the value of your equipment, schedule a consultation.