Maximizing Value Return on Electronic Devices

Value in ITAD recovery and ewaste recycling is based upon 6 critical factors that, when present, create the maximum value return for end-of-life IT assets and ewaste disposal. Your ROI on IT disposal goes beyond just dollars; financial return is just one of the outcomes that your organization needs to maximize in asset value recovery. 

There are six key must-haves that your organization should consider when assessing the value return of your IT assets. Among these six domains are also risk factors that present significant downside risks that far exceed the short-term financial return of value. It is important to weigh both positives and negatives in vendor evaluation to achieve a maximum safe return of value.


Value in ITAD and ewaste is the combination of reduced risks, a heightened leadership profile along with financial return. Viewing this process solely based on financial considerations can fail to result in the maximum return of value. 

For each must-have domain on the checklist, you can review the potential value versus the risks. Tips are provided to identify ways to maximize IT asset value return.

Use this checklist to ensure that you are receiving maximum value in the ITAD and ewaste process.

Chapters

Secure Chain-of-Custody Logistics

Tracking and recording begin with a detailed description of items, and where they were received or collected. Collection techniques, preservation, packaging, transportation, storage, and creation of the inventory list are all part of the process used in establishing the chain of custody. The chain of custody is established whenever a third party takes custody of materials. A clear, well-documented chain of custody should be established through the disposition process.

To maintain an accurate and complete chain of custody:

Limit the number of individuals handling data-bearing devices and sensitive materials.

Confirm that all individual names, identification numbers, and dates are listed on the chain-of-custody manifest documents.

  • Ensure that all devices are properly inventoried, packed, sealed, and documented prior to shipping.
  • Obtain signed or otherwise secure receipts upon transfer of devices and materials.

Potential Value:

The convenience and timeliness of services offer an important value to avoid wasted staff time, and the availability of on-site services can provide additional time savings as well as quality assurance. 

 

Risks:

  1. Outsourced workers have not been background checked or vetted
  2. Lack of training exposes your institution to liability, compliance, environmental, or data leak risks. 
  3. Poorly planned and executed logistics can waste staff time or require additional work from fully-engaged staff.

Get Maximum Value 

  • Limit the number of people handling your ITAD and e-waste and ensure that all logistics personnel are employed by the vendor and are trained, vetted, and background checked.
  • Data erasure can be completed on-site or at the recycling facility based on best practices.
  • Full chain of custody including transshipment GPS tracking is provided.

Data Security

Potential Value:

Confidence in data security (or information security) is essential in IT asset disposition and should address the full range of devices being presented.

Risks:

  1. Vendors may outsource data destruction or transportation and expose devices containing data to loss of custody. Additionally, off-shoring of ewaste and device recycling can violate international laws and place your devices in the hands of bad actors.
  2. Vendors may use free or low-quality data erasure tools without the ability to verify level of erasure.
  3. In-house data erasure is time-consuming and may employ low-quality erasure methods.

Get Maximum Value 

  • Specify and track the level of data erasure or destruction.
  • Receive proper certificates of erasure and destruction.
  • High-quality erasure systems that provide complete data erasure and verification.

Regulatory Compliance

Potential Value:

Confidence and compliance with all applicable regulations provides support to your internal purchasing and IT staff.

Risks:

  1. Failure to properly wipe or destroy data is a violation of Canadian privacy laws which can result in Privacy Commissioner investigations, fines and/or litigation suits against you and your organization from people that were affected by the privacy breach.
  2. Failure to use licensed recyclers or failure to properly recycle specific elements according to Canadian law could create fines or regulatory action that impacts your organization as well as the vendor. Additional scrutiny on your facilities could occur as a result. 
  3. Staff or customers could be exposed to environmental risks due to improper storage, handling or disposal.

Get Maximum Value 

  • Work with electronic recyclers (vendors) who are EPRA qualified and approved by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (check your Province for licensed recyclers’ appropriate alternatives) and who are verified under the national Electronics Recycling Standard (ERS). 
  • If you receive erasure reports from your certified vendor, then you can rest assured that your data is safe and that you are following regulations.

Environmental Leadership

Potential Value:

Participate in the circular economy as a leader who demonstrates commitment to doing the right thing with all IT asset disposition.

Risks:

  1. Failure to property recycle specific elements according to Canadian law could create fines or regulatory action that impacts your organization as well as the vendor. 
  2. Additional scrutiny on your facilities could occur as a result. 
  3. Staff or customers could be exposed to environmental risks due to improper storage, handling, or disposal of hazards embedded in electronic devices.

Get Maximum Value 

  • Check up-to-date credentials of vendors and staff for environmental handling.
  • Work with vendors who carry the following certifications: Controlled Goods, NAID AAA, and R2V3.
  • Work with vendors who have a demonstrated track record as champions for environmental concerns, including public relations activities that champion partners.

Reputational Risk Aversion

Potential Value:

Confidence in the safety and comprehensive nature of ITAD and ewaste disposal reduces reputational risks from data breaches and regulatory actions and adds the standing of environmental leadership to the institution.

Risks:

  1. Flaws in any of the other five domains pose a significant reputation and public relations risk that could damage leadership status or endanger funding in addition to creating substantial public relations costs that far exceed the financial return of value from ITAD or ewaste. 
  2. Sensitive data may into the wrong hands causing irreparable harm.

Get Maximum Value 

  • Use vendors that exceed the requirements for all 6 factors.
  • Use vendors trusted by other institutions or highly-reputable organizations.
  • Use vendors that guarantee secure destruction and erasure of sensitive data

Financial Return

Potential Value:

Receive best possible financial value from the recycled or component elements of your devices and ewaste.

Risks:

  1. Promises of high financial return may involve cutting corners on one of the 6 domains and could create risks that far outweigh financial compensation. 
  2. Inability to provide transparent reporting hides value that was not recovered.

Get Maximum Value 

  • Use vendors that have advanced technology for recovering more of the value within IT assets.
  • Use vendors that process materials on-site and have a substantial downstream market for bulk IT recycling.
  • Use vendors that have fully transparent disposition reporting including erasure reports.

Value return on electronics can be maximized if you follow the above six factors.

If you or your organization wants to make your IT assets valuable again, get a quote from Greentec on how to get value return on IT assets.

 

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