What happens to your computer at the end of its life?

The delight of switching on a new digital device for the first time comes with the responsibility of deciding what happens to the old one. Individual users, as well as small and large businesses, should make sure that the old equipment is responsibly disposed of at the end of its lifecycle.

First, the bad news: according to the Global E-waste Monitor 2020, the world produced 53.6 metric megatons of e-waste in 2019, but only 17 percent was collected and recycled. However, on the bright side, the options have dramatically improved for handling older electronic devices – including professional Asset Recovery Services and CO2 offset services from Lenovo that help offset the carbon footprint.

Management of the data at the end-of-life is as important as managing the hardware.

Since there is a large value in data, ensuring that it is safely destroyed is essential. This can be a complex process as companies and individuals have different standards for data destruction. Many need to comply with specific governmental requirements and relevant privacy laws for each geographic area. Hence, people and companies have been concerned about the best way to manage the data in an older device. Now, however, a professional partner like Lenovo can ensure that the data is securely sanitized in compliance with all relevant standards and that the process is documented.

Choosing Green solutions can also uncover hidden gold.

There are multiple materials in every electronic device that can be separated and turned into resources for newly manufactured equipment. These include plastic, ferrous metals, cobalt, and even gold. The value of the melted-down precious metals can be recaptured and returned to the owner, to offset the cost of processing the older devices, or even lower the total ownership costs for the new ones, with the help of Lenovo’s Asset Recovery Services.

Choosing responsible solutions are not just for big corporations.

Product end-of-life management programs are available to organizations of numerous sizes. For example, Lenovo’s product end-of-life management programs can be directly engaged by organizations with as few as 50 devices, while smaller businesses and individuals can work with licensed Lenovo partners who gather end-of-life devices for professional asset recovery.

Similarly, individuals, as well as small and large companies, can now choose to offset the carbon emissions of their electronic devices at a minimal cost through our carbon offset services.

Adopting carbon compensation to support a more sustainable future

Lenovo’s CO2 Offset Service is one of the first of its kind in the technology industry. We make it easier for businesses to offset the carbon emissions associated with each Lenovo Think device, by providing the option at the point of purchase. This service seeks to meet the customers’ growing need for eco-transparency in the products they purchase. Lenovo is committed to driving improvements in our product and packaging design which includes the usage of sustainable packaging and striving to reduce the carbon footprint of new technology.

There are options other than recycling or landfills.

A few of the devices that come through Lenovo’s asset recovery process are still operating at an acceptable level. There is often the opportunity to give them a second chance on life, going back into the economy as a second-hand device or reclaiming some of their parts for refurbishment and repairing of other machines.

Buying new devices made from recycled materials helps create a “virtuous cycle” of material recovery and reuse.

Professionally recovered equipment can be broken down into excellent raw materials, which can then be confidently used by manufacturers to produce high-quality new devices. By 2025, 100% of Lenovo’s PC products will contain post-consumer recycled content, using 300 million pounds (136 million kg) of recycled plastics in the production of new devices. The increasing demand for products that contain recycled materials has resulted in the value and marketability of these materials to grow. To ensure a smooth transition between devices, it is essential to have a plan in place. A service provider like us understands the ins and outs of device disposal in the company’s location while also offering options for recycling, possible remarketing, and donation. This is why we at Lenovo, are happy to partner with you for your ESG goals.

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