Recycling e waste brings rewards to businesses, including a potential new revenue stream, sustainability leadership, and brand safeguarding
Sometimes you may need a reminder to keep up the good work. Or, if you feel like your organization could do better, you may present a few facts to prove to superiors that recycling e waste makes a difference.
There’s indeed no question that a well-run corporate electronic recycling program can set you apart from the competition. In 2021, the United States alone generated 8 million tons of e waste. U.S. businesses have, in other words, a major role to play in solving this global challenge.
Here are 3 facts that show how both your business and the environment stand to benefit from your dedication to responsibly recycling your retired IT assets.
Reap rewards from sustainability drive
As our own CEO Kristina Picciotti pointed out in an interview with American Recycler, businesses and consumers are increasingly aware of the significance of recycling e waste and voluntarily try to do the right thing. “Sustainability” has become a corporate buzzword that’s here to stay.
But the drive to build a sustainable operation is not only a moral imperative, consumers also reward companies that show a real commitment to doing what’s right for the environment, according to several studies. Corporate electronic waste recycling gives your business a chance to make a real impact. It allows you to both position yourself as a sustainability leader and reap the financial benefits of strategic resource recovery.
For more information, read our e-book: How E Waste Can Make Your Company a Sustainability Leader
Recoup value to make the most of your IT assets
An integral part of recycling e waste is, of course, IT asset disposition. With the right ITAD partner in your corner, your business can leverage e-commerce marketplaces. The more knowledge your partner has, the better able you will be able to maximize asset value recovery.
IT asset remarketing has the potential to boost your bottom line during times of change, or when you simply need to upgrade to newer technology. Whether you’re liquidating a business, moving to a new location, or downsizing, your unwanted assets can provide a welcome revenue stream.
During the pandemic with its work-from-home demands and parts shortages, demand for refurbished laptops shot up, for example. Test and lab equipment similarly belong in the high-demand category, regardless of external circumstances. By extending the life cycle of your equipment, your business is not the only benefactor; reuse is also a key component of recycling e waste to improve our global environment.
More reading on this topic: This is How Easy it is for Businesses to Capitalize on ITAD Recycling
Stay on the right side of the law — and out of headlines
The bad news has kept on coming for some big brands, proving once again size does not insulate any business from landing in trouble. In each case, it was the careless disposition of electronic assets (and, in some instances, other hazardous waste as well) that triggered both the attention of authorities and, consequently, the news media.
The financial services giant, Morgan Stanley, for example, allegedly chose the “poor man’s wipe” when it tossed its trusted ITAD provider aside for a cheaper deal. In the end, Morgan Stanley had to pay a $60 million data mismanagement fine. Others, like Walmart and Firestone Complete Auto Care, have also had to pay multi-million-dollar fines for unlawful e waste disposal.
The debacles showcase the crucial importance of teaming up with a certified ITAD company with a long record of excellence (look for the R2-certification for responsible recycling, and adherence to NIST 800-88, the leading data destruction standard).
In short, ITAD services provide a systematic approach to managing the disposition of retired and outdated IT assets. Each service is designed to protect your data, minimize landfill use, maximize value recovery, and satisfy all regulatory requirements and corporate risk management initiatives.
Keep reading about this topic: What You Can Learn from the Latest E Waste Disposal Failures
Finally, peace of mind
Consider it the unofficial benefit of all of the above — peace of mind. Your business has done everything right.
To summarize, businesses truly reap the benefits of recycling e waste when they are:
- participating in the effort to reduce the global e waste mountain;
- taking a lead on corporate sustainability;
- recouping value in resale markets;
- extending the product life cycle for the benefit of the environment;
- and safeguarding their brand and data.
We’re here to help you excel. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
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