If your organization has adopted ESG goals, well done! This shift in priorities across business, government and other sectors will translate to massive improvements for the environment and people alike.

With organizations relying heavily on IT equipment and technology, ESG extends to this area of your business, too. As you upgrade and replace IT assets, minimize operations, move to the cloud or make changes to how your organization operates, you’ll encounter challenges and opportunities related to ESG.

That’s why ITAD providers, organizations that help companies safely and legally dispose of or recycle their IT assets, are becoming an integral part of their ESG strategy. They can help overcome the hurdles (and maximize the opportunities!) that ESG provides as it relates to your IT assets.

Why Use an ITAD Provider?

An ITAD provider comes into your organization and removes, transports, and recycles (or refurbishes) IT equipment. For example, if you've shut down a datacenter or upgraded your sales team’s laptops, an ITAD provider is exactly who you’d call to help.

There are several reasons it’s essential to have an ITAD provider to handle this for your company.

1. Dumping computers into a landfill is not only illegal and detrimental to the environment, but it can also lead to litigation and fines; in 2018, Target was fined $7.4M for improperly disposing of e-waste, not to mention the legal fees and reputational damage.

2. Those computers and other materials you’re disposing of are full of precious metals and components that can be recycled and reused. Some devices, in good condition and still technically relevant, can be refurbished, lowering the amount of waste your company creates.

3. Importantly, the tech you’re getting rid of is filled with sensitive data: customer information, patient data, intellectual property, passwords and more. You need someone who can safely handle the data and then destroy/wipe it so that you don’t risk a data breach, problematic for both reputations and fines.

As organizations put more focus on ESG, ITAD providers are becoming an invaluable partner to get it done properly.

How an ITAD Provider Can Help with ESG

While you may think of ESG in terms of switching to solar power or building customer goodwill with socially conscious policies, hyper-digital businesses cannot ignore tech’s impact on ESG.

In the context of an ITAD provider, this is how they can support your ESG goals:

1. Environmental Sustainability

An ITAD company will ensure that your company’s IT assets are disposed of in an environmentally responsible way, handling the recycling and refurbishment of IT assets.

GreenTek properly disposes of heavy metals and waste so they never enter the environment. In 2022 alone, GreenTek extended the life spans of more than 100,000 devices and refurbished 278 tons of material for reuse, meaning lower demand for new devices and mining for new materials.

2. Social Responsibility

ITAD companies make sure that sensitive data is securely destroyed, protecting the privacy of individuals and the reputation of the business. For organizations that value how they’re perceived (and want to do more than talk the talk), proper data handling is a crucial function of an ITAD provider.

Importantly, the environment and social responsibility are closely linked. Underserved and low-income communities are disproportionately located near landfills; organizations that do not properly dispose of e-waste are creating an outsized negative impact on vulnerable populations as heavy metals and harmful material leech into the ground, water and air.

Within GreenTek’s own operations, social responsibility is key. As a business with a strong focus on diversity and social impact, GreenTek was chosen as one of 15 businesses nationwide to join the Apple Impact Accelerator, a program for minority-owned businesses creating environmental solutions focused on climate change, resource conservation and smarter chemistry.

3. Corporate Governance

Proper IT asset management guarantees that a business is compliant with legal and regulatory requirements. ITAD companies can help businesses navigate these regulations and ensure that data destruction and disposal are carried out following industry standards.

GreenTek provides certified proof that all items, data, and other sensitive information are handled safely and correctly, providing "chain of custody" and "data destruction" reports that your company can use to prove you're doing everything properly.

Plus, GreenTek exceeds a variety of ISO certifications, HIPAA guidelines, and Responsible Recycling (R2v3) guidelines, helpful in managing risk and ensuring your used IT assets and data are handled properly. With extensive reporting and industry-leading data sanitization technology, organizations can confidently meet their data security requirements.

Crucial for governance, GreenTek provides data, tracking thousands of data points in proprietary software, including how many tons of e-waste clients direct to reuse and their CO2 reduction. Clients have full access to this data so they can highlight their positive impact in annual reports, external communications, PR campaigns and more. With greater transparency and data, organizations can even track and analyze their Scope 3 emissions, creating insights that impact their sustainability commitments.

In 2022 alone, GreenTek handled 425 tons of E-waste and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 592 tons, running solely on wind power as a 100% carbon neutral business.

Bottom Line

GreenTek Solutions is ready to be your partner as you upgrade your technology, downsize operations or align your IT assets with your organization's needs, pursuing meaningful ESG initiatives. We’re experts in this space after partnering with many organizations on their ESG goals, providing unique insights and experience across multiple industries, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

To learn more or get a quote, get in touch with us here.