What Should I Do with My Company’s Used Computers?

You could be stranded on what to do with old computers that still work. Alternatively, you may be creating a solid IT asset disposition plan but not sure where to start. Either way, this article will help you spot the best solution.

Here are five things you can do with your company’s used computers.

1. Carefully Dispose of the Unwanted Computer Parts

This is one of the least recommended ways to dispose of used computers. If you are going this route, you should do it responsibly.

The United States constituted 34.7% of global IT consumption in 2021. Most of the computers used in most companies’ IT departments ended up as e-waste.

E-waste is discarded electronic equipment. The devices have outlived their usable lifecycles, and you can no longer use them for what you originally intended to use them for.

Most of the substances used to create the computer parts can be harmful to the air, soil, and water when thrown anyhow in the environment. That is why you should dispose of old computers through the help of government-recommended organizations, such as Electronic Recyclers International (ERI).

ERI provides secure recycling boxes, data destruction, and cybersecurity, IT asset disposition services, and sustainability and community outreach services. Here is more you should know about recycling old computer parts.

2. Recycling Is Better Than Throwing It Away

You can take the computer to a local retailer with a computer recycling program. Working with a recycler with either BAN’s e-steward or SERI’s R2 Standard certifications would be best.

According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling one million mobile cell phones helps recover 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, 35,000 pounds of copper, and 33 pounds of palladium.

Besides, recycling old computers helps to minimize the energy needed to manufacture new computers. For instance, for every million laptops you recycle, you save energy sufficient to serve 3500 homes.

3. Sell Parts to ITAD Companies

You can sell parts of your old machine such as processors, memory, or hard drives. Examples of places to dispose of old computers are eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or ITAD companies.

IT asset disposition companies are businesses that buy bulk amounts of used hardware. They remarket the computers across multiple channels to boost the return on the old machines. ITAD companies pay ample compensation if you sell them bulk computer parts on consignment.

Examples of the best ITAD companies in the US are ERI Direct, CentricsIT, Apto Solutions, Atlantix Global, CNE Direct, Cascade Asset Management, Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations, https://www.itrenew.com/, Sims Recycling Solutions, PlanITROI, and Iron Mountain.

4. Reuse Your Computer to Accomplish Other Critical Company Needs

You can use your old computer as a file server. All you do is install an extra drive, a typical Linux distribution, and an open-source program like FreeNas.

You can also repurpose the old computer as a wireless router for the internet on smartphones or tablets. You should install a firewall before deploying the computer as a router.

Finally, you can use the machine to store copies of data on your new computer. Follow this straightforward guide to back up your files on the old computer after connecting both computers to the same network.

5. Donate to a Non-profit Organization

The best part is that many non-profit organizations are willing to utilize the old computers. You can donate the computers to international, national, or local organizations.

For example, World Computer Exchange works closely with 945 organizations and 23 strategic allies to donate computers. The partners are found in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Examples of national and local NGOs that collect used computers are TechSoup, Computer with Causes, Earth911, and FreeCycle Network.

TechLit Africa’s Role in IT Asset Disposition

TechLit Africa is an American non-profit organization that redistributes recycled technology to build computer labs in African schools.

Through donations of used computers, the organization has managed to build ten computer labs in rural Kenya. Currently, TechLit Africa positively changes the lives of 4000 students and 20 teachers.

With consistent computer and financial donations, TechLit Africa is confident of growing ten times annually by building 100 labs in 2022 and changing the lives of 40,000 children.

You can find out more about TechLit Africa or get involved here.

Conclusion

Don’t get stuck with old employee laptops. Donate it to a charity organization, recycle, reuse, or sell its functional parts. The last option is to discard unwanted company computers carefully.

References

• Places to Sell Computer Parts
• The EPA on Recycling Electronics
• Statistics on The ICT Market
• Other Places to Donate Used Computers
• This Topic on Quora