How to Select an ITAD

Having been involved in the IT reuse industry for over 20 years we have seen plenty of companies that provide a non compliant service. These companies leave clients liable to Environmental and ICO prosecution. It is important to be aware of the trickery some companies use when offering free services and a great sounding re-marketing scheme.

WEEE directive and GDPR regulations

The WEEE directive and GDPR regulations are perplexing legislation to navigate. When in the process of selecting a trusted ITAD partner, ask the following questions to avoid a non compliant company.

As a minimum the computer recycling company should be a T11 certified site. An ATF (Authorised Treatment Facility) is desirable.

It is a legal requirement for the company transporting your retired IT assets to hold a Waste Carriers Licence.

There are unscrupulous companies and individuals that won't provide this essential documentation on collection. Tip; watch out for the line "We will send this to once the waste has been processed". This is not compliant!

It has been reported that one of the largest IT recycling companies subs out collections to 3rd party individuals with a van. This can be particularly risky as the vehicles are not tracked and open to drivers dropping equipment off, before returning to the facility.

Always ask for this as it shows a level of commitment for the computer disposal company.

Again not a legal requirement but is an indicator to the ITAD company's professionalism.

Along with onsite and offsite data destruction is essential. With ICO fines, data breach, bad publicity, identity theft and the booming black market for data, the ITAD partner must demonstrate a robust chain of custody and strong physical control over data bearing devices.

Ideally asset lists should be produced by the client, this forms step one of the chain of custody. However we understand that this can be a long, cumbersome task and not all clients have the time or resources to complete a list. Therefore it is important the chosen IT asset disposal company can complete this on the client's behalf.

Recycling Enquiry

Contact us today to find out how we can assist you with your retired equipment.

Enticements to look out for

As with everything in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Look out for remarketing schemes that state you will receive a return once the items have been processes and sold. More often the processing costs will outweigh the returns, leaving the clients with a bill.

The classic excuses post collections are:

  • We incurred high processing costs
  • Hidden Data Erasure costs
  • Material collected was faulty and required expensive repair
  • Hazardous material treatment costs
  • Asset lists were not included

Established IT Recycling Company should be able to make an upfront offer on your equipment if it genuinely retains an intrinsic value.

What Our Customers Say

The guys at Oden removed the stress we had. Disposing of our electronic items was an environmental and data protection mine field. They visited our site, carried out an audit and collected the same week. Every detail is on the portal for us. Great company to deal with.
Quick clean service carried out by professional company. Lovely collection staff.
We selected the collection box option, boxes are always collected swiftly and replaced. Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes are always signed and uploaded to the portal. We experienced many problems with WEEE companies; our ISO EMS means that all records are in place. Prior to using Oden we always had to ask companies for copies that they rarely had. We now log onto the portal and download all data and reports. Thank you
Next day collection, all paperwork supplied. Perfect.
Mobile destruction unit came to our site, the operator made a list of drives, drives were destroyed and taken away. Very satisfying to watch our drives being destroyed.
Booking was easy and collection was carried out in a timely manner. Data erasure certificates were very detailed.
Oden are a local company and have provided IT disposal services for us for 10 years, can't recommend enough.

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