Featured Article from the ERA (Electronic Recycling Association), a CIPS Partner
As organizations modernize their technology environments, the question of what to do with retired IT equipment is becoming more critical — and more complex. It’s no longer simply a matter of clearing out storage rooms. CIOs face a set of interlocking challenges:
- Data Security: Ensuring all sensitive data is permanently destroyed to meet regulatory obligations.
- Environmental Responsibility: Diverting waste from landfills and meeting ESG goals.
- Cost and Operational Efficiency: Managing logistics across multiple sites without burdening IT staff.
- Social Impact: Demonstrating leadership in supporting community needs and reducing the digital divide.
One model gaining traction in Canada is the reuse-first approach to IT asset disposition, exemplified by organizations like the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA). Rather than defaulting to shredding or landfilling equipment, this approach emphasizes refurbishment, secure data wiping, and redistribution to those in need.
The Data Security Imperative
For CIOs, data protection is non-negotiable. Even when devices are retired, the data they hold remains subject to privacy legislation such as PIPEDA and sector-specific regulations. The risk of data breaches or compliance failures from improper disposal is real — and reputationally damaging.
Best-practice approaches involve certified data wiping (e.g., using Blancco or comparable software) that meets international standards. For devices that cannot be wiped, secure physical destruction with serialized reporting provides an auditable trail.
Organizations such as ERA back their processes with ISO certifications including ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), offering CIOs assurance that retired assets are handled with the same rigour applied to active systems.
Sustainability and ESG Considerations
Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Yet a significant proportion of retired IT equipment remains fully usable with minimal refurbishment. The traditional “shred and landfill” model contributes to carbon emissions, resource extraction, and toxic waste.
The reuse-first model instead seeks to maximize the lifespan of devices. In Canada, non-profits and schools frequently lack the budget for new technology. Redirecting refurbished equipment to these groups aligns with circular economy principles, reducing environmental impact while expanding access to digital tools.
This approach also supports corporate ESG reporting. Companies can demonstrate measurable reductions in landfill waste and CO2 emissions while meeting stakeholder expectations for responsible sourcing and disposal.
Operational Efficiency for IT Departments
For large organizations, managing the logistics of asset disposition is often challenging. Multi-site operations, constrained budgets, and limited staff time make it difficult to handle retired equipment consistently and securely.
Service providers such as ERA offer national pickup programs, inventory tracking, and serialized destruction certificates, helping IT teams manage this process with minimal disruption. Flexible models — including employee take-back programs or customized donation strategies — can be integrated into existing IT lifecycle management plans.
Social Impact and Digital Inclusion
Beyond compliance and sustainability, there’s an opportunity for organizations to make meaningful contributions to social development. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the consequences of the digital divide, with underserved communities, schools, and non-profits facing acute technology shortages.
Reuse-first asset disposition models support these organizations by providing affordable or donated devices. For CIOs and IT leaders, this aligns technology planning with broader corporate social responsibility goals, offering a tangible way to give back while managing existing resources effectively.
IT asset disposition is evolving from a purely operational concern to a strategic consideration for Canadian CIOs. Data security, sustainability, cost management, and social responsibility are all part of the equation.
As more organizations adopt a reuse-first approach, models like ERA’s provide a practical blueprint: secure, compliant, environmentally responsible, and socially impactful. For CIOs, considering these options is not just about disposing of old equipment — it’s about aligning IT practices with the values and expectations of the modern enterprise.
For more information on reuse-first IT asset disposition in Canada, visit www.era.ca.