Change is a constant in today’s business world. Companies are constantly evolving, whether through a merger, a significant restructuring, or unfortunate layoffs. But with change comes a quieter, often overlooked issue: what happens to all the tech equipment left behind? Laptops, monitors, mobile devices—these assets don’t just disappear. They need to be recovered, securely wiped, and disposed of responsibly. That’s where innovative IT leaders step in.
This article explores how modern IT leaders lead in sustainable IT asset disposition during organizational change, turning chaos into an opportunity for better compliance, cost savings, and environmental responsibility.
Why IT Asset Disposition Deserves More Attention
When companies downsize or reorganize, tech disposal often becomes an afterthought. But it shouldn’t be.
It’s Not Just About Getting Rid of Old Devices
Proper IT asset disposition (ITAD) requires more than simply storing old laptops in a closet. It also includes:
- Getting devices from employees, often across locations.
- Ensuring all company data is securely wiped.
- The process requires determining if each IT asset should be reused, resold, recycled, or retired.
- Tracking assets for compliance and accountability.
- Forbes notes that decommissioned IT assets may contain sensitive data that, if improperly handled, could result in data breaches and compliance violations.
Neglecting these procedures could lead to security intrusions, cost inefficiencies, and environmental harm.
What Happens During Organizational Change
IT teams often scramble when things shift, whether through layoffs, mergers, or reorgs. Devices are scattered, offboarding timelines are tight, and teams are understaffed.
The Offboarding Chaos Is Real
Let’s say your company lays off 200 employees across multiple cities. Here’s what happens without a structured ITAD process:
- Some employees forget to return devices.
- Devices that are returned aren’t cataloged or securely wiped.
- No one knows what to do with the extra hardware.
- Intel’s research found that 7.66% of all laptops are projected to be lost or stolen during their useful life.
Now multiply that by a few offices, and you have a real mess.
What Should Happen Instead
With a well-planned IT asset management strategy in place, IT teams can:
- Track and manage each device using asset tags and cloud-based inventory.
- Automate offboarding workflows that trigger equipment retrieval and data erasure.
- Decide if a device should be reused, stored, or sustainably recycled.
This structured approach helps avoid logistical headaches and compliance risks. It also aligns with best practices for IT asset management.
Why Sustainability Must Be a Priority
Today, sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a business expectation.
E-Waste Is a Massive Problem
According to the United Nations, only 22.3% of the estimated 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated globally in 2022 was recycled, despite many devices containing valuable and hazardous materials. Electronics left to rot in landfills release toxins into the environment and waste recyclable metals like gold, silver, and copper.
Customers and Investors Are Paying Attention
For instance, Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey reveals that 79% of Gen Zs and 81% of millennials believe businesses should do more to enable consumers to make sustainable purchasing decisions.
Responsible disposal of IT equipment during company changes is one of the easiest and most visible ways for a company to support its sustainability commitments.
How Smart IT Leaders Do It Differently
Forward-thinking IT leaders don’t wait until the last minute. They plan and use the right tools to keep everything in check.
1. Automate the Process
IT automation software can help ensure every step—retrieval, data wipe, recycling—is tracked and completed on time. This removes the guesswork and reduces the manual burden on IT teams.
2. Leverage Asset Lifecycle Management
Proper IT asset management enables companies to monitor every device throughout its entire lifecycle, beginning with procurement and ending at end-of-life. The visibility provided by asset management systems prevents loss or oversight when staff departures occur or departmental structures change.
3. Store What You Can Reuse
Companies should not recycle every device immediately. IT warehousing solutions enable businesses to store operational hardware for later use, which results in cost savings for future equipment purchases.
4. Partner with Sustainable Vendors
Companies like Dots offer secure and eco-conscious ways to handle IT asset disposition, from equipment pickup to data wiping and certified recycling. Working with partners that align with your sustainability goals makes good business sense.
What It Looks Like in Practice
Let’s say your company is based in Berlin, but you’re downsizing a Chicago sales team and a Singapore design team. Devices are everywhere, and some employees are remote. How do you handle it all?
Using a platform like Dots, you can:
- Retrieve all hardware from remote employees across countries.
- Automatically trigger certified data wipes on all devices.
- Send devices to be reused or securely recycled.
- Store functional devices for future team hires.
And it all happens inside one platform. It’s sustainable, trackable, and less stressful for your IT team.
Wrap-Up: Tech Disposal Is a Leadership Opportunity
Most companies see tech disposal as a tedious task during times of change. But innovative IT leaders know better. They see it as a chance to improve compliance, strengthen sustainability practices, and eliminate unnecessary stress.
By treating IT asset disposition as a core part of change management, businesses can avoid chaos, protect their data, and build a greener future.
Want to see how sustainable ITAD can be easy and cost-effective? Book a demo and see how Dots is the next-gen logistics solution to simplify everything from equipment pickup to certified recycling, no matter where your teams are.
