Faced with a storeroom full of old computers and laptops, business leaders are placed in something of a quandary: how do we get rid of this hardware compliantly, safe in the knowledge that all sensitive data has been wiped, and without harming the environment?

The answer is through a professional IT recycling partner.

However, as with selecting any service provider, it’s important that organisations choose their IT recycling partner carefully. Here, we have compiled some key attributes that leaders should be looking for when making this choice.  

Accreditations

Accreditations prove that an IT recycling partner is both licenced and compliant with current environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.

In particular, check to see if they have the following:

AATF - Approved Authorised Treatment Facility

Waste Exemption - T11 Waste Exemption Certificate

Waste Carriers - Upper Tier and Broker

ISO 9001 - Quality Management

ISO 14001 - Environmental Management

ISO 27001 - Information Security Management Standard

BS EN 15713 - Secure Destruction of Confidential Material

Insurance - Certificate of Employers’ Liability Insurance

Transparency and traceability

A competent and credible IT recycling partner will keep you informed at each stage of the recycling process. Be wary of any business that offers to take your hardware and that’s the last you ever hear of them. You won’t know where or how your old computers have been disposed of and you risk any unwiped data ending up in the wrong hands.  

Before committing to a partner, check that they can provide full reporting and traceability throughout the recycling journey.

Zero waste to landfill

It is now a requirement under The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) to reuse any waste computer or electrical equipment where feasible. The Directive is intended to promote IT hardware recycling in the hope of reducing the volume of electrical goods going to landfill.

Ask any prospective partners about their landfill policy and whether they attempt to repair faulty equipment to prevent avoidable waste.

Leading providers of IT recycling services like ours, recycle 100% of unwanted computer equipment.

Security

Getting rid of legacy IT hardware is a process that requires more thought than getting rid of assets like old light fittings and furniture. Computers and laptops store business critical data that, in the wrong hands, could cause significant problems.

Ask prospective partners about their processes, whether they are governed by the Data Protection Act, and whether they can offer guarantees as to the safe and confidential destruction of data.

Also check what security measures are implemented when transporting hardware within the recycling facility itself and during the data erasure process. It’s also advisable to find a provider who doesn’t outsource parts of the service. The fewer parties that handle your hardware, the smaller the chance of a security breach.  

Rapid IT

With over three decades of experience, Rapid IT has become one of the most advanced facilities for IT life cycle and asset management in the UK.

Sustainability sits at the core of our business and we are certified as a Zero Waste to Landfill provider, meaning you can be confident that your unwanted hardware will be given new life and the parts that cannot be recycled will be disposed of in accordance with WEEE regulations.

Speak to us today about your unwanted IT hardware.

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