Phase 1: Disposal or donation?
When it's time to part with your old gear, the first step is usually to decide whether to throw it away or donate it. For many, donating is a sustainable and rewarding solution. The device may still be useful to someone else, especially to organizations working to provide technology to those who need it. The equipment may not have the standard you need to do your tasks any longer, but it's guaranteed to have a lot left for those who won't be using it as much as you.
Phase 2: Can parts be reused?
For those devices that are no longer usable or can be sent for donation, the journey continues to the reuse phase. This often means that we give the equipment a new role. For example, an old computer that is no longer suitable for daily use can be used as a backup for the home office should something go wrong or even as a learning item to learn basic programming or computer security. It can also be broken down into parts and ensure that other equipment has an extended lifespan.
Phase 3: Recycling the right way
When the equipment has reached the end of its useful life and can no longer be reused in any way, the next step is recycling. This is an important phase to ensure that the materials that make up the unit are handled in an environmentally sound manner. Recycling computer equipment usually involves disassembling it to separate the materials that can be recovered, such as metals and plastics, from those that need special treatment, such as batteries and screens.
The challenge of recycling
Although we have become better and better at recycling, we see that equipment is often left in a cupboard at work for a long time. This means that when the old equipment is finally cleared, it is too old to be donated or to be reused. It's a real shame, because the material the equipment is made of is so valuable and can be difficult to obtain. When it is lost due to the lack of control over who has what PC, which equipment is located where and the like, then it is a sad loss.
We always recommend having a conscious relationship with what equipment is purchased. That is why we recommend our service, Device as a Service. The term "as a service" means that you can rent the equipment rather than owning it. There are many advantages to that, and we see that for businesses that often have to resort to purchases for periods, or have to upgrade because the workload requires it, Device as a Service provides that flexibility without the purchases being so expensive. Read more about our service here.
Would you like to read about the advantages of renting equipment? We have written a whole article about it here.
What is our role in the process?
As an IT supplier, we must be forward-thinking in the discussion about recycling. That's why we work with partners who are experts in equipment disposal, reuse and recycling. We play an important role in the life cycle of the equipment we supply to our customers. At the same time, we can help our customers make informed choices, also regarding their equipment fleet.
With our collaboration with 3stepIT, we can offer efficient, economical and sustainable handling of IT equipment where we contribute to a circular use and reuse model. For over 10 years, we have collaborated with 3stepIT both as a partner and as a customer. With the same value base, we have helped to extend the life cycle of IT products, contributed to environmentally friendly reuse, reduction and recycling of EE waste.
Old IT equipment quickly becomes a dust collector in a cupboard you rarely open. This means that batteries, materials and perhaps the entire PC cannot be used again by others. Together with Foxway, we ensure that the PC can also get a new lease of life. Read more about it here.
We hope everyone makes informed choices when dealing with their equipment. Opening a brand new PC for the first time feels good, but it is our responsibility to build the future. This is one of many steps in the right direction!
Would you like to read more about how we work with sustainability in Braathe? Take a look at our site.
