We all know that technology is constantly evolving, and those old devices can be costly to maintain or upgrade. It is becoming more common for individuals and businesses alike to sell off old devices to purchase upgraded equipment in today's world.
The question is: Where does this used IT equipment go? Unfortunately, many electronics end up sitting in landfills for eternity as they slowly decompose, leading to immense waste problems throughout the globe.
In fact, according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), about 70% of unwanted electronic products are thrown away. That's something we don't want. However, recycling electronics have become increasingly popular over the past few years, with companies such as Apple taking strides toward having zero impact on our environment.
Recycling electronics is essential because it saves energy and natural resources by reducing the need for raw materials to be mined. By properly disposing of old devices, we are also helping to limit the number of harmful gas emissions that stress our environment.
When it comes to responsible IT equipment disposal, some great options allow you to recycle your old equipment and turn it into cash that can be used toward purchasing new technology.
While you may think this process is time-consuming and tedious, you'll see in this guide nothing is stopping you from making a profit while doing something great for the environment.
What is IT Equipment, and Should You Sell It?
For our guide, let's define IT equipment as any electronic device associated with computer technology. This would include any desktop or laptop computers, monitors, printers, scanners, switch boxes, and power supplies, to name a few. Anything with a plug can be listed as IT equipment for this guide.
Most IT equipment is beneficial well beyond its life-cycle, meaning that it can still serve a purpose after being replaced by newer models. While you may assume that the only value your old devices have is scrap metal worth a couple of bucks at best, you could be surprised at what others might pay to take advantage of these technological relics!
For example: In 2014, an Apple Macintosh Plus from 1986 was sold on eBay for over $1400. What was considered state-of-the-art computing technology back in 1986 had become outdated and nearly useless just 30 years later.
While the highly collectible Apple Macintosh Plus may be worth more than your average IT equipment, there's no denying that it's possible to turn some of your spare gear into cash.
To sell used IT equipment for profit, you first need to determine if it is even worth trying to recoup any of the money you spent on the original purchase or write it off as a sunk cost. Next, figure out which devices are most valuable based on current market prices and can provide you with enough return to make selling worthwhile.
Since computer technology is constantly evolving, not all models will give you great returns depending on how old they are or what features they lack.
For example, you probably don't want to try and sell a 10-year-old computer for more than what you paid when it was new, but if you recoup some of your initial investment in 5-7 years, it might be worth holding onto.
To answer this question, I'm going to ask that you take another look at the Apple Macintosh Plus from 1986 that sold on eBay for over $1400. You may have reasoned that this one sale proves that anything older than 20 years is most likely only valuable to collectors.
However, if I told you there are buyers out there looking specifically to purchase used or refurbished devices with certain specifications, would this change your mind? These buyers are most commonly known as "recycle/reuse" companies.
Companies like these focus on purchasing items from consumers and businesses alike, refurbishing them for resale or recycling the components to extract any valuable metals, and reusing as much of the device as possible.
In hindsight, this computer might have been a better candidate for you to sell back to a recycle/reuse company than eBay because it could have earned you tens of thousands of dollars instead of just over $1400.
However, one example doesn't mean that every item made between 1986 and today will improve your return significantly if sold to a recycle/reuse company.
What's the Proper Way to Sell Used IT Equipment?
There is nothing wrong with having an old server in the back of your closet or some outdated monitors in your storage area, but if you plan on keeping them for too long, there will continue to be an unnecessary impact on the environment. Here are some tips on how you can properly dispose of your used IT equipment with minimal environmental damage:
Find Out What You Have: The first step in any IT hardware sale is knowing exactly what product you have. Finding out this information before you sell is significant so that buyers understand their options when buying from you, and it also helps ensure that they receive exactly what they need.
Price It Right: To get the most money for your used IT equipment, be sure to set the right price. Pricing your items based on how much they are used and their overall condition is typically a good rule of thumb.
However, if you don't want to do all that maths yourself or if there isn't enough information available to determine a fair price, you can turn to an online valuation tools website that gives a precise estimate of what your devices are worth based on some basic information details about them.
List It: Once you've decided upon an asking price for your used IT equipment, it's time to list your products online via sites like eBay or Craigslist so that buyers can easily reach out with any questions or purchase your products.
Wrap It: As a final precaution, be sure to properly secure and wrap all of your used IT equipment before you ship them off. The last thing you want is to receive their package with broken hardware, so always take the extra time necessary to wrap it securely enough not to break or crack during transit.
How Much Can Selling Used IT Equipment Help the Environment?
In truth, giving up old IT equipment might seem like a small sacrifice compared to other things we could do for the environment, such as carpooling or switching over electrical appliances and heating systems from fossil fuels.
However, every effort helps, and keeping one's data centres updated is extremely important when new technology is constantly being developed.
In addition, recycling used IT equipment also helps reduce the demand for new materials to be produced, reducing the amount of energy and the environmental impact of the production process on water and air quality.
Conclusion:
Selling your used IT equipment is a great way to make a little extra cash while also helping your environment by reducing unnecessary use of natural resources.
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