How to Recycle Old Servers?

Enablers Tech
3 days ago
7 min read

Got a bundle of old servers stacking up in your storage room? Servers are being replaced at a faster rate than ever, and this rapid evolution presents a significant challenge for organizations and enterprises, prompting them to wonder, “What to do with old servers?” Recycling servers is the most preferred eco-friendly disposal method used by many organizations to protect their data and maintain a safe environment.

Wondering what you get from responsible recycling?

Responsible server recycling supports sustainability and protects the environment from potential hazards emitted from old servers.
It ensures data security, which is an essential criterion for many businesses, whether they are startups or enterprises.
It helps individuals or businesses recover some of the value of old servers and take part in the circular economy, benefiting themselves and others.

What Makes a Server ‘Recyclable’? Understanding Its Core Anatomy

Servers are not simple electronics; they have a multi-layered structure containing many useful elements and reusable parts that are ideal for recycling or refurbishment, respectively. Understanding what makes servers recyclable will help you reduce e-waste, recover valuable elements, and comply with data security and environmental protection laws.

The following are the main factors that make server recycling more beneficial and valuable.

Valuable and recoverable elements
Convenient dismantling and physical condition
Business’s data security requirements

They are considered high-priority servers because inside each server, you’ll find various precious elements and reusable parts, including.

Aluminium,
Copper coils,
Wiring, transformers, or steel frames
Trace amounts of precious metals such as gold, silver, and palladium are found in various parts of servers.
Power supplies, RAM, processors, fans, or casings

Before any server is recycled, it is ensured that the data storage devices inside it are completely wiped out or destroyed through a physical destruction method. Specialized recyclers such as Atlanta Ewaste Solutions process these devices according to the NIST 800-88 standard to protect businesses from data breaches and legal issues.

Preparing Your Server for Responsible Recycling

Before handing over your old servers to any recycling facility, there are a few precautions or steps that you should take to ensure a responsible and safe recycling process. Many businesses underestimate this step, but it plays a significant role in ensuring a smooth and compliant recycling journey. Dispose servers responsibly with these pre-recycling methods.

1. Backup information

You should be aware that once your servers or hardware leave your site, your data can’t be recovered. If you have any important information, such as user accounts, access credentials, configurations, licenses, or work-related documents stored on those servers that you would like to retain, don't forget to back them up before recycling.

You can transfer all necessary information to other servers or store it on cloud storage platforms such as Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure Backup. If the backup is for short-term use, you can save it on external hard drives; however, if it is intended to last for a long time, then it would be better to choose other options.

Ensure secure data storage by backing up servers or migrating data before recycling them.

2. Data destruction

The data that is no longer in use but still holds confidential information needs to be destroyed successfully. Simple deletion is not effective in this modern tech era; servers require complete wiping, sanitization, or shredding to ensure that the data is unrecoverable and completely secure.

Following are the methods that most recycling companies use to protect users from data breaches.

data destruction before servers recycling

● Degaussing

● Shredding

● Certified overwriting

● Encryption-key destruction

3. Organize asset documentation

When you are working with a specialized recycling company, they will handle the asset documentation for you, tracking all information related to servers and creating a comprehensive record. But it is also essential for you to keep the record for responsible internal auditing or server recycling.

You don't need a full IT audit; simply record the necessary information, such as asset tags, serial numbers, ownership details, quantity, and department information. This will help you to keep the records traceable and clean. It will also help recyclers organize servers throughout the recycling journey, from collection and transportation to processing.

4. Remove priority software or hardware keys.

All the company servers must have company-specific information and should be removed before they are recycled. This may include activated operating systems, license keys, or small USB devices that help the system to operate. It will protect your business from unauthorized access or data misuse. In short, keep your company’s data safe before the servers go to recycling.

5. Prepare servers for transport.

Before transportation, pack the servers responsibly. You can either do it yourself or schedule a professional pickup service that carries out responsible recycling with secure and sealed containers and a chain of custody documentation. Proper packaging will protect your old servers from damage and any kind of liability issues. Your servers will be transported to the facility safely and securely, without any damage, and will be properly recycled or refurbished.

secure transport for recycling old servers in atlanta

Servers Commonly Recycled in Today’s IT Landscape

Businesses consist of a wide range of IT servers, depending on their storage capacity and working requirements, and each server needs separate handling (dismantling and recovery). At Atlanta E-Waste Solutions, we handle the recycling of a wide variety of servers, irrespective of condition (functional or broken), including

● Enterprise rack servers

● Edge computing servers

● Blade servers

● SAN/NAS storage servers

● High-density cluster units

● Tower servers and others

Where to Recycle Servers Near You

Finding the most reliable and convenient source for recycling your old servers is challenging. Whether you choose certified recyclers, manufacturer take-back programs, or local recycling events held in many regions of the country depends on your priorities, such as convenience, the condition of server, or the profit you want to gain from disposing of old equipment.

The following are the options where you can recycle your old servers responsibly.

1. Certified E-Waste Recyclers

Wondering why choose certified recycling over informal disposal?

Specialized recycling facilities are the most reliable and best option for businesses handling assets with sensitive information and large quantities because they follow strict standard protocols at every step of the recycling process, ensuring full transparency and documentation.

Recycling servers with certified facilities ensures,

Secure data destruction
Maximum material recovery
Traceable chain of custody
Transparency
Proper documentation
Offer a reasonable price on functional devices

However, informal recyclers don't guarantee data wiping and also don’t focus on environmental damage, instead using informal methods of destruction, such as burning or dumping in regular trash. They provide no evidence of destruction and fail to adhere to any recycling standards. That’s why most businesses avoid those informal recyclers and prefer to partner with certified recycling facilities.

2. Local E-Waste Collection Events

In most cities, including Atlanta, many recyclers organize local e-waste collection events where you can drop off your electronics, including servers, computers, laptops, and other IT assets. It is convenient for those who need a quick disposal and have servers in minor quantities.

However, they may not provide data destruction certificates or proper asset tracking facilities to ensure responsible recycling. That’s why the servers with non-sensitive information and a low risk of data breaches can be recycled through these events. For your own surety, sanitize the servers yourself before dropping them off.

3. Manufacturer Take-Back Programs

Many major server brands, such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others, offer take-back programs that enable users to return their old servers. These servers are recycled or refurbished according to the brand's standards. They also offer credits or discounts on new devices you purchase from them in exchange for the old ones. You should do the data wiping yourself before recycling through the manufacturer, as they don't provide data destruction certificates. Atlanta eWaste solutions also do bulk IT Buy Back for servers and other IT equipments.

FAQs:

What is the safest way to recycle an old server?

The safest and most efficient way to recycle old servers is to contact certified and specialized recycling facilities that handle your old servers responsibly—for instance, Atlanta Ewaste Solutions. At our facility, we adhere to strict standards at each level of the recycling process, encompassing data destruction, environmental safety, and maximizing material recovery.

Our expert technicians ensure that the entire recycling process, from pickup to final processing, is transparent and compliant with standard laws. Moreover, complete documentation is provided to businesses and individuals regarding the destruction of data and responsible handling of hazardous materials.

Do I need to wipe my server before recycling it?

Yes, always back up and wipe your data before recycling, especially when working with local e-waste recyclers or returning them to manufacturers, as there is no guarantee of data destruction with these services. However, specialized e-waste recyclers such as Atlanta Ewaste Solutions provide a secure data erasure facility. But even recyclers destroy data; wiping them beforehand reduces security risks.

However, if your server is inaccessible and cannot be wiped out through a software overwriting method, then recyclers such as Atlanta Ewaste Solutions use physical destruction methods, including shredding or degaussing, to ensure that the data is fully unrecoverable.

What Business Solutions Are Available for Companies Managing Old Servers?

For businesses handling large volumes of servers with sensitive information, Atlanta e-waste solutions provide a secure and fully compliant recycling process. Most businesses follow the following methods to get rid of their old servers.

Partnering with E-Waste Management Firms
IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Strategies
Cloud Migration Planning
Compliance with Sustainability Initiatives

Atlanta E-Waste Solutions provides tailored strategies specific to businesses, offering pickup and drop-off services with on-site data destruction. Our IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services provide transparent tracking of your old servers with secure data erasure certificates and ensure that you’ll get fair value recovery from reusable materials.

What happens to a server after it is recycled?

After you drop off your old servers at our facility, they are analyzed and sorted into functional and non-functional ones. After their examination, the slightly functional devices are refurbished and reused, while the non-functional ones are recycled.

First, they are dismantled and shredded, and valuable materials, including aluminum, copper, silver, plastic, and steel, as well as other precious elements, are recovered. While the hazardous materials are handled carefully to prevent exposure to the environment, ensuring safe and compliant recycling.

Can we get paid for old servers?

Mostly yes, most recyclers pay you back the worth of recoverable materials from the servers. It is done with a thorough analysis by experts during dismantling and sorting procedures. Recycling servers is not only environmentally beneficial but also provides you with economic benefits.