What to Expect when Pros Perform Your IT Asset Disposal

Figuring out what to do with outdated IT equipment when you upgrade to something new can be a hassle. On one hand, you don’t want it to languish in a closet or supply room on-site, taking up room and posing a danger for theft. On the other hand, you can’t exactly dump it in the trash, as that would violate both privacy and environmental laws.

You could let the local scrap man pick it up, he may even pay you for it, but there’s no guarantee your devices will be destroyed in keeping with applicable laws to which your business is beholden. What’s the solution? You need to find a certified ITAD (IT asset disposition) company that will handle the whole process for you. What should you expect when you partner with professionals?

Security and Convenience
Hauling piles of old equipment to a facility demands valuable resources (i.e. employees, time, work vehicles, etc.) that could be better utilized for more important tasks. Your IT asset management and disposal company should be able to come to your location and pick up old electronics for secure transport to their secure facility, where they will be destroyed and recycled in keeping with all applicable privacy and environmental laws.

Tracking Capabilities
If you keep up with the news, you know that some unscrupulous companies have made a mint taking used electronics for recycling and instead simply dumping them in local landfills, or shipping them overseas to developing nations. This is not acceptable and it doesn’t meet legal standards for environmental or consumer privacy protections.

This is why it’s important to choose an e-waste destruction and recycling partner that offers tracking capabilities, such as a 24/7 client portal that allows you to monitor the progress of the disposal process by serial numbers on devices. Following the chain of custody can give you peace of mind that your devices are being properly disposed of, and when the process is complete, you should receive a Certificate of Destruction and Recycling as proof for your records.

Compliance with Legal Standards
Businesses must comply with a host of federal, state, and even local data destruction laws aimed at protecting consumer privacy. Some must meet even higher standards set forth in regulations like HIPAA and FACTA (regarding sensitive medical and financial data, respectively). The right partner in asset disposal will meet the highest standards and comply with all applicable privacy and environmental laws.

In addition, they’ll engage in oversight and hold certifications that prove they meet the high standards you expect. You’ll want to look for a certified ITAD service provider, as well as certifications with regulatory groups like R2 and eStewards, for example.

Options
When it comes time to get rid of old IT equipment, some businesses want to make sure it is shredded so there’s no chance of data retrieval. However, you might also be keen to recoup some cost. Your service provider should offer the option to thoroughly wipe devices that are still relevant and reusable in order to resell them, giving them a second life and gaining you some return on investment in the process.

Sioux Falls area businesses looking for a reputable, reliable, and certified ITAD service provider can contact the experts at SEAM today at 605-274-SEAM (7326) or online to learn more.