Meet ESG Goals with Electronics Reuse
ESG goals have emerged as crucial step in tackling electronic waste in corporate environments. In the US, setting and implementation of corporate ESG goals has so far been based on voluntary schemes. However, in view of the increased focus on climate change mitigation in the US executive, it seams reasonable to expect a gradual change towards a more strict regulatory environment.
In this article, we explore how a solid electronic device reuse strategy can help organizations meet their ESG goals.
ESG goals and US corporates
The concept of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) has been part of the business conversation since the mid 2000s. Adherence to ESG practices has so far been voluntary, but US corporates are increasingly expected to move towards a more tangible implementation of their ESG goals.
According to a 2019 survey, 87% of the investors polled claimed that their firm had become more attentive to ESG matters and changed some of their policies accordingly. This shift in attitude is due to an increased awareness of the importance of having a defined ESG strategy, and the requirement of being better prepared to comply with a more strict regulatory environment in the future.
In particular, ESG investing is becoming a key factor in financial performance. Bringing operations, budget, and capital / resource allocation in line with ESG strategy can improve overall profitability. Not only can this create opportunities for new products and services, but also increase a company’s appeal in the eyes of investors, therefore facilitating access to capital for further growth.
IT Asset Disposition supports ESG goals
The impact of e-waste is clearly evident in corporate settings, considering the extent to which businesses rely on electronic devices for their day-to-day operations. The United States is the world’s second biggest producer of e-waste, with nearly 7 million tonnes per year. And yet, only 15% of this waste is recycled, which points at the scope of the opportunities that are missed in this respect.
IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) can support US companies as they move towards a more strategic implementation of both their ESGs and CSR initiatives. Essentially, ITAD processes involve actions like reusing, recycling, asset removal, and remarketing of redundant IT assets.
Professional ITAD services are naturally aligned with socially responsible corporate governance, since they help minimize electronic waste, increase accountability during data destruction processes, help companies navigate audits successfully, and manage the risks associated with handling large volumes of data.
Reasons to Focus on Device Reuse
Of all the ITAD strategies available, device reuse is one of the most effective where ESGs and CSR targets are concerned. There are several reasons why organizations should consider this strategy first:
- E-waste accounts for 40% of all the heavy metals that end up in US landfills. Device reuse diverts e-waste from landfills, especially if you leave this matter in the hands of a certified company that has a zero-landfill policy, like Wisetek.
- Reusing a device is often superior to recycling it, since e-waste recycling is notoriously difficult to carry out appropriately by the average organization, simply due to the extensive resources needed to comply with health and safety, hazard reduction, and pollution control during recycling.
- Device reuse can have a positive impact on profitability in two ways: first, it extends the lifespan of electronic devices. Second, it delivers better ROI on every asset through remarketing devices that are disposed of before their end-of-life.
- This strategy helps companies become involved in Circular Economy models, through which businesses can take advantage of technology in a sustainable way.
- Lastly, device reuse plays a crucial role making IT devices more accessible to a wider range of consumers, and especially to those who require affordable refurbished assets. This is possible if your ITAD is managed by a company that also makes refurbished devices available for sale to other users.
Reusing Redundant IT Assets
At Wisetek, the electronic device reuse process has been designed to be simple and effective. When we receive an IT asset, we examine its condition to determine its remarketing potential. In some cases, even faulty devices can be reused after our team performs minor repairs and gets them ready to have a second life. These devices can then be remarketed on our platform – you can find more details about our remarketing program in the following section.
However, before an IT asset can be reused or remarketed, it’s important to consider data security issues. At Wisetek we take this matter seriously and have procedures in place to make sure that sensitive data in redundant IT assets is securely destroyed.
By destroyed we mean more than just emptying the Recycle Bin or doing a factory reset on a device. Professional data destruction is paramount for corporates who want to meet their ESGs and comply with data disposal laws.
Remarketing IT Assets through Wisetek
Wisetek’s extensive experience in ITAD, refurbishment and data security sets a solid foundation for our remarketing program.
Remarketing IT assets is a profitable and secure solution that offers multiple benefits to US-based organizations. We securely collect and audit unwanted IT devices, and our experts take care of asset repair and refurbishment, ensuring the highest data destruction standards are in place throughout the process.
Refurbished IT assets are remarketed through the Wisetek Market, which offers exceptional quality assurances to buyers and ensures organizations get a financial return on their redundant IT assets.
Remarketing also helps businesses meet sustainability goals and improve their ESG ratings, which can help position companies as an attractive option in the eyes of investors.
Meet Your ESG goals with Wisetek
Wisetek is a global leader in professional ITAD services, with operation centers in California, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Texas. In addition to ITAD and remarketing services, we offer US businesses an ample range of professional IT solutions.
For more information, visit our website at https://wisetekusa.com/
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