A
- Asset Recovery
The process of refurbishing, reselling, or recycling IT assets to maximize value and minimize waste.
- Asset Tagging
The practice of labeling IT equipment with unique identifiers to track their lifecycle and ensure proper disposal.
- Audit Trail
A documented history of an asset’s movement and handling throughout its ITAD lifecycle for compliance and security verification.
- Authentication Erasure
A method of data erasure that requires verification through a third-party process to ensure complete sanitization.
B
- Buyback Program
A service where ITAD providers purchase used IT assets from organizations, offering financial return for retired equipment.
- Basel Convention
An international treaty that regulates the transboundary movements of hazardous waste, including e-waste, to prevent illegal dumping in developing countries.
- Batch Processing
Handling multiple IT assets simultaneously to streamline data destruction, refurbishment, or resale.
- Battery Recycling
Safely disposing of or repurposing lithium-ion and other types of batteries found in electronic devices.
C
- Chain of Custody
A documented process that tracks IT assets throughout the disposition lifecycle to ensure security and compliance.
- Certified Data Destruction
The verified process of permanently erasing or destroying data from IT assets to prevent unauthorized access.
- Circular Economy
A model that promotes sustainability by using IT equipment for as long as possible through refurbishment, repurposing, and responsible disposal.
- Compliance
Adherence to industry regulations and standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, R2, e-Stewards) governing IT asset disposition.
D
- Data Destruction
The process of removing or rendering data irretrievable from IT equipment through wiping, degaussing, or physical destruction.
- Data Sanitization
Permanently removing data from IT assets to prevent unauthorized recovery, meeting NIST 800-88 and DoD 5220.22-M standards.
- Degaussing
A data destruction method that uses strong magnetic fields to erase data from storage devices like hard drives and tapes.
- Device Decommissioning
The process of retiring IT assets from active use, ensuring secure data erasure and proper disposition.
Digital Rights Management (DRM) Removal
Ensuring that all software licenses and digital content rights are removed from IT assets before disposition.
E
- E-Waste
Discarded electronic devices that require proper disposal, recycling, or refurbishment to minimize environmental impact.
- Environmental Compliance
Ensuring ITAD processes align with environmental regulations like the WEEE Directive, R2, and e-Stewards certifications.
- e-Stewards Certification
A standard ensuring responsible and ethical recycling practices for electronic waste and IT asset disposition.
- End-of-Life (EOL) IT Assets
IT equipment that has reached the end of its usable lifespan and requires proper disposition through ITAD processes.
- Erasure Verification
A certification process confirming that data has been completely wiped from a storage device.
G
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
A European Union regulation that governs data privacy and security, including IT asset disposition
- Green ITAD
IT asset disposition practices that emphasize sustainability, responsible recycling, and carbon footprint reduction.
- Global Recycling Standards
Industry-wide compliance measures for electronic waste management to ensure ethical disposal and reuse.
H
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
A U.S. regulation requiring secure handling and disposal of healthcare-related IT assets containing sensitive patient data.
Hard Drive Destruction
Permanently destroying hard drives through shredding, degaussing, or crushing.
Hardware Authentication
A process of verifying IT assets' authenticity and security status before resale or recycling.
I
- IT Asset Disposition (ITAD)
The process of securely disposing, repurposing, or reselling IT hardware in compliance with environmental and data security regulations.
- IT Lifecycle Management
The complete management of IT assets from procurement to secure disposition, ensuring maximum value and compliance.
M
- Media Shredding
A physical destruction method where hard drives, SSDs, and other storage devices are reduced to small particles to ensure data destruction
- Material Recovery
Extracting valuable materials from IT assets for reuse in manufacturing, reducing waste, and supporting sustainability.
- Mobile Device Recycling
Refurbishing, reselling, or responsibly disposing of used mobile phones, tablets, and other portable electronics.
- Manufacturer Takeback Program
A program in which electronics manufacturers accept old devices for responsible recycling or repurposing.
R
- R2 Certification (Responsible Recycling)
A globally recognized standard ensuring environmentally responsible recycling and disposal of electronic waste.
- Refurbishment
Restoring IT equipment to functional condition for resale or reuse
- Regulatory Compliance
Adhering to government and industry mandates regarding secure data destruction and IT asset disposition.
- Reverse Logistics
The process of retrieving retired IT assets for recycling, refurbishing, or resale while ensuring chain-of-custody integrity.
W
- WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive)
A European Union directive focused on reducing e-waste through responsible recycling and IT asset disposal.
- Wiping
A data destruction process that overwrites existing data on storage devices to make it unrecoverable.
- Waste Diversion
Redirecting retired IT assets from landfills to refurbishment, resale, or recycling initiatives to minimize environmental impact.
- Warranty Tracking
Ensuring IT assets under warranty are appropriately processed to maximize their resale value or claim manufacturer support.
EPOKA'S 5 Step ITAD Process
Collection & Transportation
On site pick up
Assets Audit
Assets verified and recorded to create a full asset register
Data Erasure
Assets securely erased by employees using world-leading software
Quality Control
Assets individually tested, graded and certified for remarketing or destruction and responsible recycling
Settlement
Final asset register provided along with erasure and destruction certification
Benefits of our ITAD services
