Vital Criteria You Need To Consider While Choosing an ITAD Partner
Electronic waste is considered to be the fastest growing human and environmental threats that the world is faced with today. It has been estimated that in the year 2019, the amount of e-waste generated in the world was 53.6 metric tons which was a record high and an augment of more than 20 percent compared to five years before. E-waste that is improperly discarded has reached a crisis level.
The waste contains harmful toxins that enter illegal dump sites and landfills. These chemicals include cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead to name a few. Also, e-waste contains important raw materials like stainless steel, silver, gold, etc. that can be reprocessed and are vital to the supply chain. These materials can only be obtained by using efficient electronic waste recycling services. Sadly, people even today are not much aware of these services.
Problem of e-waste
Apart from causing damage to the environment, the retired electronics used by businesses are brimmed with sensitive organizational and customer data that is a serious threat to businesses. Thus, it is vital that these electronics are discarded using reliable ITAD services. The services ensure that the sensitive data contained in electronic devices are destroyed in a fool-proof manner and cannot be retrieved. When you use the services of certified electronic recyclers, you get to protect not only your business information but also the environment from the toxic substances contained in e-waste.
Competent recycling services consider things like environmental compliance and logistics that accompany IT hardware. The vendors specialize in assisting you to remove your old and no longer required IT equipment without putting your data at risk. They also help you reduce cost of logistics and asset value recovery.
Here's a look at some vital criteria that you need to consider while choosing an ITAD partner:
Certification
When it comes to selecting an ITAD partner for decommissioning the IT assets of your business, it is vital for you to consider the certifications of your partner. Only R2 Certified and e-Stewards service providers can be trusted to offer you sustainable end-of-life recycling and sustainable equipment remarketing services along with certifiable data destruction services. The certified recyclers of corporate electronic recycling services are needed to demonstrate to an accredited and independent third-party auditor that they meet the standards for safely recycling and managing electronics vital for protecting your reputation.
Process
Delivering an effective ITAD program requires a sustainable, transparent and flexible process. The processes include onsite collection, transport, auditing of inventory, data destruction, device marketing and end-of-life recycling. A lot of certified electronic recyclers make regular investments in employee training, data destruction equipment, asset tracking systems, onsite security, etc., offering their clients insight and peace of mind concerning the status of their assets.
Affordable
When you connect with a dependable local electronic recycling service, you can be assured that your distinct ITAD needs will be properly met by experts. The experts are in good standing with an e-certification body and will mitigate the expensive cost of logistics with the help of local service partners. You wouldn't have to worry about burning a hole in your pocket to get your electronics recycled.
Knowledge
Presently, District of Columbia and 25 states have enacted legislation that establishes the requirements of e-waste recycling. Navigating the complex range of regulations, laws and rules requires knowledge to protect the reputation of your organization. Only certified recyclers are recognized by the industry as authorized experts.
Integrity
You need your valuable and sensitive assets that you entrust to your provider of ITAD services to be handled in an ethical and responsible manner. Thus, you need to demand more than simply talking about trust. The provider should be able to depict their integrity to you. You can do this by choosing a certified electronic recycler that is committed to fulfilling their obligations of adhering to high standards. Transparency is also vital. This includes reasonable timelines, detailed quotes of service and fast reporting.
Economics
A lot of organizations or businesses view their old electronics as mere clutter. This leads to them falling into the trap of comparing electronic recycling services based on cost alone. Some businesses are lured by non-certified and unscrupulous operators that offer no protection from the liability that is a part of their equipment. Expert ITAD companies offer value to businesses and organizations and have an intelligent and efficient process of disposing of retired IT assets which mitigates risk and maximizes ROI.
Transparency
Your ITAD partner should have a good internal system to generate timely and accurate inventory/audit reports, settlement reports and Certificates of Destruction (COD), etc. This lets you know that the equipment you provided to them has been disposed in a scientific and certified manner. This is a vital part of the ITAD process and helps in maintaining proper and correct records and save your business from liability for improper disposal of electronic waste and data breach.