The growing e-waste crisis affects us all. Old electronics contain harmful materials that can damage our environment when improperly discarded. Meanwhile, data breaches from carelessly disposed devices can lead to serious security problems.
Improperly disposed IT assets are security time bombs, 56% of secondhand routers still contain sensitive corporate data. This is where IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and ITAD companies play a crucial role. ITAD aims to ensure that the safe, secure and responsible retired assets disposal that protects the sensitive data of corporates.
TLDR;
- ITAD safely disposes of end-of-life tech, protecting sensitive data and preventing breaches.
- ITAD providers offer data destruction, refurbishment, resale, recycling, and detailed reporting.
- Manages servers, laptops, mobile devices, IoT, and data center equipment securely.
- Adheres to NIST 800-88, ISO 27001, R2, and HIPAA for secure, eco-friendly disposal.
- Choosing Unduit’s Offers secure collection, data wiping, value recovery, and compliance reporting.
- Refurbishes or resells assets to recoup investment, reducing total cost of ownership.
What is IT Asset Disposition (ITAD)?

Source: ITEKDATA
IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) refers to the process of disposing of or reallocating outdated, end-of-life, or otherwise unwanted technology and electronic equipment. With the increasing sophistication and global usage of IT hardware, the issue of handling retiring or end-of-life electronic equipment becomes more pressing. It’s not just about throwing away old computers, it’s about doing so responsibly, with attention to data security and environmental impact.
Organizations can either perform ITAD themselves or outsource it to specialized ITAD service providers.
What’s Covered by ITAD Companies?
IT asset disposition companies typically offer the following services:
1. Data destruction
Secure data erasure or physical destruction of hard drives to prevent data breaches.
2. Equipment refurbishment
Repair and upgrade computer equipment to extend its lifespan and maximize its value.
3. Resale
Sale of refurbished equipment to generate revenue and reduce waste.
4. Recycling
Responsible asset disposal that cannot be refurbished or resold, in compliance with all relevant environmental regulations.
5. Reporting
Comprehensive reporting on the disposition of equipment, including the amount of equipment, recycled, the amount of equipment resold, and the amount of waste generated.
Types of Devices

ITAD providers handle a variety of technology devices such as:
- Servers, laptops and desktops.
- Networking devices like routers and switches.
- Mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and PDAs.
- Copiers, printers and fax machines.
- Point-of-sale systems
- Many Internet of Things (IoT) devices like surveillance cameras and smart door locks.
Data center equipment is complex and valuable and requires strict protocols for data destruction and decommissioning. ITAD providers work with data center operators ensuring secure data erasure and maximize equipment value through resale or recycling. Endpoint devices, including laptops and mobile devices, are commonly disposed of, and ITAD providers offer services like secure data erasure and responsible recycling. These devices may be refurbished and resold or safely disposed of.
ITAD providers also handle other types of hardware, which may contain sensitive data or hazardous materials, and offer data destruction, responsible recycling, and chain of custody documentation to ensure environmentally friendly and secure disposal.
How ITAD Works: 6 Simple Steps to Secure IT Asset Disposal
1. Initial Assessment & Planning
Building your roadmap for success. Unduit ITAD services start with a comprehensive evaluation of your IT assets, determining their condition, value, and appropriate disposal methods while creating a customized disposition strategy.
2. Secure Collection & Transportation
Safe journey from desk to destination. Unduit’s zero-touch platform coordinates secure pickup and transport of decommissioned assets using tamper-evident packaging and GPS-tracked vehicles to maintain chain of custody throughout.
3. Detailed Asset Processing & Inventory
Every device accounted for, every detail recorded. Through Unduit’s automated platform, each item receives a unique tracking ID and comprehensive documentation, creating a complete audit trail accessible at any time.
4. Data Sanitization & Destruction
Erasing your digital footprint completely. Unduit’s certified data wiping technologies ensure all sensitive information is permanently removed using Department of Defense standards, with verification certificates provided for each device.
5. Value Recovery & Sustainable Disposal
Turning old tech into new opportunities. Unduit evaluates each asset for remarketing potential, refurbishing valuable components and responsibly recycling the rest through certified e-waste partners, maximizing both environmental and financial benefits.
6. Comprehensive Reporting & Compliance
Peace of mind through perfect documentation. Unduit’s automated zero-touch platform generates detailed reports of the entire ITAD process, providing essential documentation for regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship certification.
Choosing an ITAD Provider
When choosing an ITAD provider, it’s important to consider a few factors so that you exactly get what you’re expecting from the asset disposition service.
ITAD Compliance Industry Certifications
ITAD companies adhere to strict frameworks to ensure secure, ethical, and environmentally responsible asset disposal, meeting global standards. When it comes to remaining compliant with data disposal laws, the devil is in the details. It’s important to follow strict law and frameworks to dispose of them of properly, meeting global standards.

- NIST SP 800-88. Provides guidelines for secure data erasure and media sanitization across various IT assets.
- ISO 27001. Ensures ITAD aligns with information security management for robust data protection.
- ISO 14001 (EMS). Establishes environmental policies to minimize ITAD’s ecological impact.
- R2 Certification.Sets standards for responsible IT asset recycling and refurbishment practices.
- HIPAA. U.S. law requiring secure handling of health-related data during IT asset disposal.
Importance of IT Asset Disposal Policy
Having a clear and comprehensive ITAD policy in place is critical for organizations of all sizes. The policy should define the processes and procedures for disposing of technology assets and should take into account the following:
- Disposal procedures should be in place to securely erase or destroy any data stored on the equipment to prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.
- A disposal policy should ensure that equipment is disposed of in a manner that complies with all relevant environmental regulations, such as the Electronic Waste Recycling Act in the United States.
- The policy should aim to maximize the value of the equipment, either through reuse, resale, or recycling.
5 Best Practices for Asset Disposition and Recycling

1. Timing Is Everything
Don’t wait until devices are obsolete, plan strategic refresh cycles to retire equipment while it still holds residual value in the secondary market.
2. Track Everything Meticulously
Implement comprehensive asset tracking from purchase to disposal, ensuring nothing valuable slips through the cracks during decommissioning.
3. Choose Certified Partners
Partner with IT asset disposition providers offering transparent revenue sharing and detailed reporting on recovery values to maximize your returns.
4. Bundle Strategically
Group similar devices together rather than disposing of them piecemeal. Bulk disposition processing often yields better pricing and higher recovery.
5. Prioritize Data Security
Remember that preventing a data breach through proper sanitization ultimately protects your business bottom line, the cheapest disposal option often becomes the most expensive after a security incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is IT necessary to dispose of the assets?
Proper asset management is crucial for value recovery and improving productivity. By disposing of retired IT assets timely, organizations can mitigate security risks, reduce environmental impact, and free up storage space. ITAD providers can assess the value of old or unused equipment and refurbish or resell it to help organizations recoup some of their initial investment and reduce the total cost of ownership for their technology assets.
2. What is the size of the IT asset disposition market?
ITAD industry has been growing rapidly. MarketsandMarkets.com projects that the IT asset disposition market will increase in value from USD 15.5 billion in 2022 to USD 23.5 billion by 2027, indicating a compound annual growth rate of 8.7% during that period.
3. What is the IT Asset Disposition Process?
IT Asset Disposition process is simply a set of practices designed to manage the secure and environmentally-friendly disposal of technology assets that are no longer needed or have reached the end of their lifecycle. This process involves determining the value of an electronic device, securely erasing data, and disposing of the hardware in an eco-friendly way.
4. Do ITAD vendors handle Asset Tracking and Asset Recovery?
ITAD Solution providers typically offer asset tracking and asset recovery services. Asset tracking involves monitoring and recording the movement of IT assets throughout their lifecycle, from acquisition to disposal. This ensures that the location and status of IT assets are known at all times, allowing for better inventory management and the ability to track asset depreciation. Check this detailed guide to learn more about IT asset recovery.
5. What are the core steps to dispose of EOL IT assets successfully?
An ITAD company must comply with strict protocols to ensure data destruction service is comprehensive and secure, whether it’s a small PC or large-scale data center decommissioning. The process involves physically destroying the hard drives, rendering data irretrievable. Shredding, crushing, or disassembling hard drives is common, and the destruction process is documented and certified to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
- Implement policies for ITAD Security preferably according to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and their own local data protection laws. This ensures that the disposed of asset does not become a liability in the future for the organization.
- Prepare a checklist for functionality tests for all computing equipment present. This sets a grading system that can be used to categorize assets into three different ITAD subgroups
- Reuse. This category does not only hold the whole asset into account rather parts of the asset can also be reused by the organization if need be. Like monitors, mice, keyboards, hard drives, RAM, and more.
- Salvage. Should only be conducted with proper erasure software implantation first and then all salvaged parts should be sold off to invest in the replacement equipment.
- Dispose/recycle. Dispose of all assets using ITAD professionals to rule out all liability issues and breaching of national laws. If done using organizational resources, then the Basel Convention policies should be used to make sure that the e-waste is managed properly.
The minimal steps any finance department should take for End Of Life (EOL) IT assets management:
6. How can hard drive destruction be done compliantly and securely to ensure complete data removal?
How can hard drive destruction be done compliantly and securely to ensure complete data removal?
7. What is the residual value of old IT assets, and how can we recover some of the initial investment?
An ITAD vendor can better assess the value of a device and determine if it is worth refurbishing or reselling. By reselling the old equipment, organizations can recoup some of their investment, reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) for their technology assets.
8. How can we choose a reliable and trustworthy ITAD provider that will adhere to industry standards and regulations?
When choosing an ITAD provider, it’s important to look for one that offers comprehensive data destruction services to minimize the risk of a data breach. You’ll also want to ensure that the provider adheres to all relevant industry standards and regulations for e waste recycling and disposal, as well as risk management practices. Also look for certifications, and a strong track record of secure asset disposition services, including proper data destruction and environmentally-responsible recycling practices. Moreover, to ensure the best ITAD process, consider the company’s ability to offer customized solutions and a software platform.