THE DATA CENTER JOURNAL | 27
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a cost-efficient and legislatively compli-
ant manner, but concern should be taken
when the service is offered at a signifi-
cantly low cost or for free. Some collec-
tors and recyclers still use the low-cost
approach to win business, but the protec-
tion of the data might not be guaranteed.
It does cost money to dispose of the
(sometimes hazardous) components of
e-waste, and if the pricing seems too good
to be true, chances are it is.
Auditing an IT recycler is highly
recommended to confirm that a le-
gitimate process is taking place and to
witness firsthand the recycling equipment
and workflow. If a recycler is hesitant to
allow a visit, it should be viewed as suspi-
cious, and IT managers should consider
looking into an alternative vendor.
Although efficient disposal of data
center IT assets is not always considered
a large priority, the benefits can prove
worthwhile once understood. As the tech-
nology industry continues to progress, so
will the significance of responsible ITAD,
making it important to get in front of the
market and explore the benefits today.
About the Author: Steve Skurnac is the
president of Sims Recycling Solutions, the
global leader in electronics reuse and recycling.
Sources:
1. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/
technology/data-centers-waste-vast-
amounts-of-energy-belying-industry-im-
age.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
2. http://www.itproportal.
com/2013/12/16/93-of-organisations-
suffered-a-data-breach-in-2013/
3. http://www.itnewsonline.com/
news/96-Pct-of-People-Share-Confiden-
tial-Data-with-3rd-Parties,-Regardless-
of-Whether-the-Necessary-Security-is-in-
Place/29782/8/4
Overall, data center IT equipment must be handled with the highest level of security in mind,
and this can be done in a cost-efficient and legislatively compliant manner, but concern should
be taken when the service is offered at a significantly low cost or for free. Some collectors and
recyclers still use the low-cost approach to win business, but the protection of the data might
not be guaranteed. It does cost money to dispose of the (sometimes hazardous) components of
e-waste, and if the pricing seems too good to be true, chances are it is.
