Global Recycling Day: Everything You Need to Know About Recycling Your IT Equipment

March 18 is Global Recycling Day. It is a great opportunity to sort through and take stock of your IT equipment.

We have listed the recycling options for your computers, phones and tablets!

Global Recycling Day

Created in the United States in 1994, Recycling Day aims to showcase products made from recycled materials and to promote their use.

In 2018, it became Global Recycling Day thanks to the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), which extended the promotion of recycling to every country.

In France, the Fédération Professionnelle des Entreprises du Recyclage (FEDEREC, the French federation of recycling companies) organizes the day's activities, in particular through awareness campaigns.

Global Recycling Day is becoming increasingly important as environmental issues are at the heart of today's debate.

Why recycle your IT equipment

IT tools are highly polluting throughout their life cycle. Between the manufacturing of materials, assembly, transport and finally use, a computer, tablet or smartphone produces large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing the environmental impact

Recycling your IT equipment allows it to be repaired and used again, extending its lifespan. Recycling also makes it possible to recover the various materials used to produce new devices.
It also encourages manufacturers to factor recycled materials into their designs. Apple, for example, has announced that it will produce its smartphones with 100% recycled materials by 2030.

Source: EcoSystem

Saving money

By refurbishing or reselling your old devices, you can make a profit on equipment you no longer use or that is in poor condition.

Freeing up space

Rather than leaving your old electronic devices sitting in a drawer, you can recycle them so that their materials can be used in new devices or to repair other devices.

As part of a CSR approach

Recycling your aging, faulty or unused IT equipment is part of a CSR approach. It demonstrates your commitment to the environment and your response to social challenges, for example by donating your equipment to a charity that helps low-income people get access to computers.

IT equipment recycling solutions

When you have computers, smartphones or tablets that are aging, worn or faulty, there are several ways to recycle them and give them a second life.

Refurbishment

Refurbishment lets you sell your old devices to companies that restore them and put them back into circulation. The seller earns money from an unused device, and the buyer gets a tool at a more attractive price.

In France, the market leader in refurbished devices is BackMarket. Originally specialized in smartphones, the French company now also lets you sell or buy refurbished computers and tablets.

Repair

Have you considered repairing your faulty devices? Today, we often tend to buy new rather than repair. But keeping our electronic devices for as long as possible is the most environmentally friendly approach. Remember to get a repair quote before buying a new device!

Donation

IT equipment that still works can be donated to charities that provide equipment to low-income households.

The charity Emmaüs collects donated IT equipment through its Emmaüs Connect branch, including computers, tablets and even smartphones.

The charity Action Numérique Solidaire (ANS) collects equipment from companies that are renewing their IT fleet.

Recycling your computer

Your computer cannot be repaired and you want to replace it? Retailers (supermarkets, specialist stores, etc.) are required to take back old devices when you buy a new one, under the "one-for-one" take-back scheme.

You can also recycle your computer or other IT equipment through your local authority's collection services or at charity collection drives.

Finally, the e-dechet.com platform specializes in taking back and recycling companies' IT equipment.

Recycling your smartphone

Stores with freely accessible recycling bins let you recycle your smartphone as part of the "one-for-one" scheme.

You can also donate it on www.jedonnemontelephone.fr

Finally, you can recycle all your IT equipment at your nearest recycling center.

How is my IT equipment recycled?

The non-profit organization Ecosystem, which operates in the public interest, has created fact sheets explaining the recycling process for all your IT equipment!

Source: Ecosystem

Getting more value from your IT fleet

Do you want to renew or get more value from your IT fleet so that it is more responsible and more cost-effective? Leasetic offers simple, transparent support to help you add value to your IT, real estate and financial assets. Our teams of experts help you find solutions tailored to your organization that combine ecological transition and savings.  

Want to find out more? Contact us today!