The Best Practices For Getting Rid Of Old Business Tech

Posted on 1/13/2026, 11:16:40 AM

Whether you’re updating to new and improved tech to improve your workflow, downsizing your IT to manage your costs, or simply getting rid of obsolete, excess hardware that’s just taking up space, it’s natural for a business to need to dispose of its devices and accessories from time to time. After all, old and faulty tech can result in downtime as well as security breaches, so you don’t want to use it for too long. However, if you don’t dispose of your tech in the right way, it can prove just as much of a risk. As such, here, we’re going to look at some of the most common methods of disposal, as well as how you can do it in a way that ensures the best results for your business. 

Back Up All Your Critical Data First

Even if you haven’t been using it for a while, you shouldn’t assume that your old computers, servers, or mobile devices aren’t going to have any valuable files, financial records, or legal documents on them. As such, before you throw them out, take the time to boot them up and back up all of the most important data. There might be data that’s important for regulatory compliance or that can help with future data analysis. You can create secure backups through encrypted external drives or Cloud storage solutions. Otherwise, you may realize too late that your devices had data that could be useful, but only after you’ve already erased it.

Unlink All Accounts And Credentials

You should make sure that no device you sell or give away still has any business accounts or user profiles attached to it. It can be difficult to think of every single account detail that might be saved on a device, but take the time to manually sign out of any email addresses, Cloud storage accounts, software licenses, and linked device management platforms. Once you have unlinked all the accounts you can find, perform a factory reset to remove user and application settings as best as possible. A factory reset alone doesn’t erase all user data, so it’s important to try to find and erase all that you can.

Ensure Total Data Deletion

As mentioned, a factory reset doesn’t permanently remove all data from a device, and neither does meticulously going through those files and deleting everything that you can. Without thorough data destruction, some of the valuable and sensitive information on your devices might be able to be recovered. To make sure that your business is protected, you should partner with professional electronic disposal and recycling teams who can use methods like data wiping software or even physical destruction of storage media to guarantee that your data can’t fall into the wrong hands. This can make sure that old data doesn’t come back to bite you through a breach or a compliance violation.

Getting Some Value Back Through Selling

Aside from thinking about how you can best ensure the security and safety of your business when disposing of old tech, it’s important to consider how exactly you get rid of it, as well. If the tech is still functional, then you might be able to sell it to get at least some of its old value back. While they might not be quite near their original purchase price, hardware like laptops, servers, monitors, and networking equipment can retain some of their resale value, especially if they’re well-maintained and compatible with modern operating systems like Windows 11. You may be able to find IT resellers in your area who can help you find it a new home without having to spend ages trawling the private market, too.

Consider Donating Old Equipment

If you want to do a little good for the community, you can also donate functional technology to nearby nonprofits, schools, and community organizations. Aside from helping you better showcase your community ties and dedication to important causes, you might be able to earn a tax deduction through the value of the assets that you donate, as well. A lot of organizations welcome tech donations; all you have to do is make sure that your data is fully wiped off them before you give them away. If you want to make a tax deduction, then make sure that you get the documentation that you need, such as donation receipts and fair market value assessments of the tech that you give away.

Choosing The Right Recyclers

If the technology isn’t functional anymore, then you might think to simply dispose of it. Environmental and data regulations might suggest that the best way to get rid of it is to look for electronic recyclers who can make the best use of the components and materials that make up the tech. Choosing the right ones is important, as well. You want to make sure that they’re certified, transparent about their processes, and that they’re fully compliant with the regulations that you’re trying to operate within. Reliable, professional recyclers make sure that components are reused ethically and that any hazardous materials are disposed of responsibly. 

Document The Disposal Process

It’s important to keep records of the assets that your business gets rid of, for a variety of reasons. You should make sure that you keep a backup of any data you have backed up (and where it is backed up), methods you’ve undertaken to erase data from those devices, as well as dates and records of how, exactly, you disposed of the tech, whether you sold it, donated it, or recycled it. This can make sure that you’re able to provide receipts should there be any inquiries about compliance with data protection laws or environmental waste regulations. A clear audit trail can help you show your own due diligence and protect you from potential legal and reputational risk. 

There are plenty of benefits to disposing of old tech the right way. However, make sure that you follow the steps above as you do it to make sure that the process is as secure as possible.