IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) involves the secure, environmentally responsible disposal, recycling, or repurposing of outdated IT equipment. Services typically include data destruction, refurbishment and resale, and e-waste recycling, ensuring companies comply with regulations and protect sensitive data. RefHub offers ITAD services, helping organizations recover value, reduce costs, and minimize their environmental impact. This article guides you through IT Asset Disposition, including what it is, why it matters, and the process involved. 

What is IT Asset Disposition (ITAD)?

IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) is the structured process of managing retired ICT equipment responsibly – from collection to final disposal. It ensures three things:

1. Data is destroyed securely. 
2. Usable equipment is refurbished and reused.
3. Non-recoverable parts are recycled safely

Why ITAD Matters in Kenya

Every organization eventually replaces its technology – servers, laptops, printers, storage devices, and networking equipment. What happens next to the old ones often goes unnoticed. 

In Kenya, against the regulations of IT Asset Disposition, most of this equipment ends up locked away, sold off informally, or, in some cases, dumped as e-waste. Each of these options creates risks:

• Data breaches from unwiped devices.
• Regulatory non-compliance under Kenya’s Data Protection Act and EPR rules.
• Environmental damage from toxic components.

This is where RefHub comes in to support responsible IT Asset Disposition.

At RefHub, we help businesses retire their IT equipment responsibly, securely, sustainably, and transparently, turning what may look like waste into measurable environmental and financial value.  

Why do we do this?

Why RefHub IT Asset Disposition

1. Circular Economy & Value Recovery – Why throw away value? Many “obsolete” devices still have resale or reuse potential. RefHub’s Circular Marketplace and Repair & Refurbishment Center recover residual IT value, reduce landfill, and contribute to Responsible Consumption & Production (SDG 12). 

2. Data Protection & Cybersecurity – Retired computers, servers, and storage devices often contain confidential data. Improper disposal can lead to breaches and violations of Kenya’s Data Protection Act (2019). RefHub ensures 100 % sanitisation or physical destruction of e-Waste and technology equipment, eliminating residual data risk.

3. Environmental and Licensing Compliance – Kenya produces over 53,000 tonnes of e-waste annually. Under EMCA Cap 387 and NEMA E-waste Guidelines, organisations must dispose of e-waste through licensed handlers. RefHub’s IT Asset Dispositionis aligned with NEMA’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, providing safe, auditable collection and recycling through NEMA-licensed organizations.

4. Corporate Reputation & ESG Impact – Stakeholders increasingly expect sustainability. RefHub ITAD programmes help clients demonstrate measurable ESG outcomes, includingtracking carbon savings, equipment reuse rates, and social-impact metrics, such as devices donated to digital-inclusion projects.

RefHub’s ITAD Process: Step by Step

Our ITAD process is built on security, transparency and value recovery. We manage the entire journey so nothing is lost, leaked or wasted. 

Here’s how we do it:

1. Asset Inventory & Audit: We conduct on-site identification, classification and tagging of all IT assets slated for disposition by condition, data sensitivity and residual value.

2. Decommissioning & Collection: We securely remove e-Waste from your premises under chain-of-custody documentation and transportation to RefHub’s processing facility.

3. Data Destruction / Sanitisation: We conduct responsible certified wiping (software-based) or shredding/crushing (hardware) and issue Certificates of Data Erasure & Destruction per asset serial.

4. Refurbishment & Remarketing: We conduct testing, part replacement and restoration of viable devices, which are either resold through RefHub’s Circular Marketplace or donated under CSR programmes.

5. Recycling & Resource Recovery: We dismantle non-reusable assets for material recovery (metals, plastics, PCBs) through our NEMA licensed partners.

6. Reporting & Certification: Finally, we provide a comprehensive post-disposal report detailing: asset counts, weights, reuse/recycle ratio, carbon offsets and certificates for audit/ESG records.

This process ensures that your technology waste undergoes responsible, effective, and sustainable management, including data destruction, refurbishment and resale, and e-waste recycling, ensuring companies comply with regulations and protect sensitive data.

RefHub-Recommended Best Practices for IT Asset Disposition

1. Integrate ITAD into procurement and refresh cycles—avoid “asset graveyards.”
2. Opt for reuse first, recycle later – it’s better for both the environment and budgets.
3. Maintain accurate asset registers throughout your equipment’s lifecycle and classify assets by data sensitivity before decommissioning.
4. Document everything—chain-of-custody logs, erasure certificates, recycling manifests.
5. Train your staff on secure disposal and sustainability awareness.

Common ITAD Challenges in Kenya & RefHub’s Solutions

Many organizations face several challenges in IT asset disposition, each carrying significant risks that RefHub helps address through targeted solutions.

Challenge	Impact	RefHub Solution
Informal disposal channels	Data breaches, environmental harm	Licensed collection & audited recycling network
Poor asset visibility	Loss of hardware & value	Asset tracking + chain-of-custody reports
Incomplete data erasure	Regulatory non-compliance	Certified data destruction & DoD-standard wiping
Logistical limitations	Theft or loss in transit	Secure, insured transport with GPS tracking
Low value recovery	Missed revenue opportunities	In-house refurbishment and remarketing program
Complex regulations	Compliance risks	Regulatory guidance & ESG reporting support

How Organisations Can Implement an ITAD Strategy with RefHub

1. Assess Your IT Inventory – identify idle or obsolete devices.
2. Engage RefHub for a Free Site Audit – we evaluate condition, data risk, and recovery potential.
3. Receive a Custom Disposition Plan – covering data sanitisation, reuse, recycling.
4. Schedule Secure Collection & Processing – with certified logistics.
5. Get Full Documentation & Impact Metrics – certificates, value recovery report and carbon-saving summary.
6. Integrate Findings into your Sustainability Report – RefHub provides ESG-ready data for your annual or CSR reporting.

The Bigger Picture – RefHub’s Circular Economy Impact

By extending the life of technology and ensuring proper recycling, RefHub contributes directly to the UN SDGs 12, 13, 8 and 17.

Each project with RefHub generates measurable environmental and social returns—from e-waste diverted from landfills to devices donated to digital-literacy programmes across Kenya.

Next Steps for Kenyan Organisations’ IT Asset Disposition

1. Book a Free ITAD Assessment with RefHub.
2. Request a Custom ITAD Policy Template tailored to your industry.
3. Integrate ITAD into your ESG reporting cycle.
4. Educate staff on responsible technology retirement.

Talk to us at RefHub for efficient IT Asset Disposition.