Clear out and cash in: The benefits of reusing old IT equipment for companies

According to a recent survey conducted by Mantap Global on behalf of Dustin, involving over 1,800 IT procurement decision-makers in the Nordics and Benelux regions, more than half of all companies store outdated IT products instead of recycling or reusing them. This not only poses environmental and security risks but also leads to unnecessary costs.

Many companies store old equipment in storage rooms or lockers in the office. However, this approach has significant downsides:

• Environmental Impact: Storing old IT products can lead to negative environmental consequences. Electronic waste often contains hazardous substances which can be harmful if not properly disposed of.
• Security Risks: Outdated IT equipment may still contain sensitive data, posing a security risk if the data is accessed by unauthorized individuals.
• Costs: Old IT products quickly loses its value. By leaving the equipment unused, the company loses the opportunity to sell or recycle it while it still has some residual value.

By clearing out old IT products from storage, companies can potentially generate revenue through reuse or recycling. Additionally, this contributes to a more sustainable and secure management of the company's IT resources.

Joakim Aspelin, Business Unit Director for Large Corporate and Public at Dustin in Sweden, recommends that companies clear out their storage rooms and lockers of old IT products. These items can be refurbished and reused, extending their lifecycle, and contributing to a circular economy. The materials from these products can eventually be used to produce new items.

- For those who work during the summer, it can be a good opportunity to clear out old IT equipment from the office. Handing over old IT equipment for takeback is simple and cost-effective. Most products, such as computers, monitors, and mobile phones, can be reused. By securely erasing data and refurbishing these items, they can have a second life, says Joakim Aspelin.

The process is straightforward:

1. A secure cabinet is delivered to the company for the collection of old IT equipment.
2. The equipment is transported to a take-back centre where all data is securely erased.
3. Products that can be reused are refurbished and sold on, while the rest are responsibly recycled.

By taking these steps, companies can significantly reduce their environmental footprint, enhance data security, and cut costs associated with old IT equipment.