IT remarketing at its best

Well-known smartphone manufacturers bring a new product to the market every year and long queues of people hoping to get hold of one of the coveted devices, form in front of the shops. There are naturally also people who use their own smartphone until it completely breaks down. However, that is not the normal pattern. A study performed by the Mafo market research institute in 2022 shows that Germans regularly buy a new phone every two or three years. A smartphone plays an enormous role in many people’s lives: whether for phone calls, taking photos or navigation – the device does it all. However, because we are so dependent on one device, we need to be sure that it will perform properly at all times. This means that many people are prepared to spend a little bit more money, as a study by Verivox showed in 2019.

IT devices are not only essential for private individuals. IT infrastructure plays a crucial role in companies too, because it is an integral part of their strategy and operating procedures. Devices such as laptops, computers, smartphones and tablets are now absolutely essential elements in everyday business life. People use them on a daily basis – and for a very wide range of different tasks. Companies repeatedly replace their IT equipment, even though it still works properly, because the devices have been used so much, because it has already reached its capacity limits or because compatibility problems emerge.

Things are not that different for private individuals. One might experience a sense of shock upon opening a drawer at home and finding it to be full of old mobile phones or other electronic equipment. Perhaps they decided that they no longer liked their old trusty companion or they simply replaced it with a new one. The devices have been lying in the drawer since then, gathering dust. But why do people not dispose of their old devices? Most of them cannot be disposed of simply placing them in the normal waste bin. That would be extremely dangerous because of their lithium ion battery, which is highly inflammable if it is damaged. It is, however, possible to turn in many devices free of charge at Germany’s local authority collection points. Despite this, many people often choose the ‘storing in the drawer’ option, in line with the motto ‘out of sight, out of mind’ – perhaps also because the security aspect has not been clearly defined; people are often unclear about what happens to the devices and the data. However, by failing to dispose of them, people miss some good opportunities – particularly those who want to do something for the environment – because IT recycling is sustainable.

IT remarketing means purchasing, refurbishing and remarketing or disposing of electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops etc. It is possible to give old devices a new life by refurbishing them. That is why IT remarketing is viewed as sustainable. Other terms that are often used for this are IT refurbishment, hardware remarketing or green IT.

Data storage media and electronic devices contain a great deal of information. If private individuals or even companies decide to relinquish control over them (for destruction or refurbishing), they naturally want to know that the service company will maintain security standards when dealing with the personal or company-related data. It is possible to check service companies that are commissioned to perform these tasks by looking at their certificates. These prove that the processes are regularly supervised and audited by recognised bodies. Service companies should also regularly and consistently update their processes in line with the latest standards.

Once the operation has been completed, a deletion report confirms that the data has been erased in line with the data protection regulations. The service company should also be able to issue this.  

Important certificates include the following:  

• DIN EN ISO 9001:2015
• ‘Data Deletion Process’ (from DEKRA)
• A ‘Specialist Disposal Firm’
• An ‘Initial Processing Facility’ in line with the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act
• Data storage medium destruction in line with DIN 66399

It is sometimes only possible to purchase new devices by accepting significantly longer lead times because of the current shortage of raw materials and prolonged supply chain bottlenecks. Service companies therefore offer to sell refurbished devices after processing them. If companies or individuals are thinking about making a purchase, it is worthwhile considering refurbished old devices, because they are much cheaper. Technical and optical standards have to be met – after all, people want to be able to work professionally with an older device that has been refurbished. Service companies that offer these kinds of devices normally also provide a guarantee for their products.

However, purchasing refurbished old devices has not really taken off up to now. Only four percent of companies in Germany were using refurbished products in 2022 – and private individuals are also still cautious about the idea. However, the issue will probably become more prominent during the next few years because of the ongoing climate discussions – and because more and more companies are seeking to meet the goal of becoming climate-neutral. IT remarketing can play a role in meeting this goal as well.