Computer equipment that is over about five years old generally has no practical value for reuse. This is because there is an adequate supply of more recent equipment to satisfy potential reusers. As a result of our experience in the processing of computer equipment for reuse, we have found that there is a great deal of older equipment in store, both domestic and by companies, and consequently have identified a need in the Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and surrounding area for a recycling operation.
According to a 2003 report by Gartner Research, in-house disposal “presents unique challenges and potential costs that enterprises seldom consider.” IT professionals often find themselves wasting valuable time trying to properly dispose of obsolete computer hardware. By some estimates, when a company tries to manage its own in-house retirement, “the costs can exceed £230 per computer”!