How one company’s IT junk is another’s treasure

The thing about computers is that they become obsolete after a while. As with cars, they soon become worn out and not worth a lot of money. In the business world, it’s common for companies to upgrade every two to three years, and get rid of their IT junk

So, what happens with that old IT junk equipment? Well, companies usually get their old systems scrapped. They might demand that the recyclers shred components like hard drives for data protection. Others may allow all the old parts to get reused.

At first glance, you may think that there’s little money in computer recycling. But, what you won’t know is that one firm’s IT junk is another’s treasure! Here’s how businesses are making record profits out of redundant IT systems:

Old systems can get a new lease on life

Just because a firm deems their systems too old for use doesn’t mean they aren’t useful elsewhere! Many older computers find new homes in a variety of places. Examples include:

• Individuals on a low income that can’t afford a new computer.
• Charities with little to no budget for computer systems.
• Poor people from third-world countries.
• Hobbyists that want a second, inexpensive computer.

The brilliant thing about computers is that it’s usually possible to upgrade their parts. You could replace a slow hard drive with a high-speed SSD (solid-state drive). Upgrading the RAM capacity can also boost performance. And a newer operating system can increase compatibility with newer software and hardware.

As you can see, older systems are far from useless!

Recyclers can buy in bulk and resell for big profits

Larger businesses usually sell older systems in their thousands. IT recyclers can also get bargains from liquidation auctions too. To make a good profit in the industry, one needs to buy in bulk. Getting just one or two computers is a waste of time and offers little return.

It’s not uncommon for IT recycling companies to have tens of thousands of computers in stock. The ones that stick to particular brands like Dell and Lenovo tend to make the most profit. That’s because they can keep a cache of spare parts from damaged systems.

Computers could be worth their weight in gold

All electronic items, including PCs and laptops, have gold in them. That’s because gold is an excellent conductor of electricity. The circuit boards used in computers all have trace amounts of gold in them.

Some IT recycling firms specialise in buying outdated and broken systems. They can then reclaim the gold by extracting it using chemical processes. The rest of the parts, such as the steel and plastic cases, can get sent off for recycling.

Some recyclers only sell to emerging markets

Let’s face it; there are plenty of third-world countries that have growing industries. The companies in those markets want to use computer systems but don’t have the money for anything new.

There are now some IT recycling firms that will sell older systems to those businesses abroad. In fact, selling to emerging markets is big business these days.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to make money from computers that you may consider obsolete!