Top 5 E-Waste Recycling Myths
S2S Group, June 2025
Many businesses avoid disposing of old IT equipment properly due to misconceptions about the process being expensive and time-consuming. It is often hard for businesses to navigate what they should do with each piece of their redundant IT equipment.
To help you understand what the process of e-waste recycling really means for your business, in this blog, we bust some of the common e-waste misconceptions and explore why it’s important for both small and large-scale organisations to recycle their IT equipment properly.
1) E-waste always ends up in landfill
One of the most common e-waste myths is that it always ends up in landfill, regardless of whether it’s been recycled thoroughly.
In reality, IT Asset Disposal providers like S2S Group test electronics to see if they’re suitable for reuse, and if not, valuable materials are extracted from them to be reused in the production of other products. This means that e-waste doesn’t always end up in landfill if managed correctly, meaning your business should do its part to minimise its impact on the environment.
This process is also important in ensuring that no harm comes to humans or the environment, as some electronics can contain harmful materials and chemicals. As a trusted IT asset disposal provider, S2S Group is well-equipped to mitigate unnecessary waste, with a zero-waste direct-to-landfill policy in place.
2) E-waste recycling is associated with data theft
Another major misconception is that when a business recycles the IT assets they no longer require, they are putting themselves at risk of data theft and security breaches. It is true that the data stored on business electronics is, in most cases, critical and can sometimes contain highly sensitive data on third parties.
Therefore, it is essential that when you recycle your redundant IT equipment, you choose a trusted provider, like S2S Group, who will ensure that all assets are disposed of securely as we eliminate reputational risks through our HMG IA Standard No.5 compliant data erasure, degaussing, and physical shredding solutions. This means that every step of the recycling process is handled with care, and all data is securely managed right through to disposal.
Businesses will also avoid fines and penalties, such as the GDPR risks created when old devices are put in general waste containing sensitive data. When electronics are recycled securely, all sensitive data will be managed properly, therefore significantly reducing the chances of a data breach. Make sure your business’s sensitive data is protected and recycle your unused IT with a trusted disposal partner to avoid data breaches.
3) E-waste recycling is a waste of time and money
It is essential that businesses understand the value in disposing of their redundant IT equipment properly, with companies often having large quantities of IT assets lying around. There is a misunderstanding amongst some that e-waste recycling is a costly, time-consuming process, and therefore, many disused electronics end up in general waste.
However, by recycling these IT assets, recycling and repurposing assets is a cost-effective strategy, enabling organisations to refurbish and reuse equipment rather than invest in new purchases, an increasingly expensive option today. Through S2S Group, businesses can also generate revenue by reselling their devices, depending on the condition and model. Historically, many organisations have chosen to donate their proceeds from resale to charitable causes.
In the Cyber Security Breach 2024 report, an estimated £10,830 was lost annually by medium and large businesses from data loss. This highlights that IT asset recycling is a much more effective, secure and valuable investment of time than simply throwing away electronics generally.
4) Recycling electronics doesn’t make a difference to the environment
The impact of e-waste recycling is far greater than many people realise, and many believe that doing their bit won’t make a difference. This just isn’t the case – if your business starts recycling its redundant IT equipment, then you’ll be joining a whole community of organisations who are making significant changes to become more environmentally conscious in the way they operate. These changes are beneficial for the environment as they reduce pollution by preventing hazardous materials from contaminating soil and water, which also improves the quality of life for many local communities surrounding recycling centres.
Recycling electronics also promotes a shift away from throwaway culture to a more circular economy, where recovered materials are reintegrated into the production of new devices. Often, it is deemed that only the big players in business should be changing the way in which they work, with only 5% of businesses in the UK recycling their e-waste correctly. But smaller organisations should recognise that their efforts will make a difference, and recycling redundant IT equipment is a significant step forward in achieving business sustainability goals.
5) Only large electronics are worth recycling
Another major misconception is that only large, redundant IT assets are worth recycling due to their value and the belief that smaller electronics contain far fewer harmful materials and therefore can be just generally thrown away.
In fact, some smaller devices such as mobile phones, laptops and computer mice can contain significant amounts of toxic components which can cause major damage to the environment if they end up in landfill. Therefore, it is vital that businesses recognise the importance of electronic waste and recycling. Our Business Development Manager, Kerry Arnold, often has conversations with customers, both long-standing and new, about the importance of IT asset recycling. Kerry recently said, “We always like to keep our clients informed and up to date on the latest technologies and solutions that S2S Group can provide, to support them with their ITAD management requirements.”
Adding value to your business with e-waste recycling
S2S Group is here to help businesses understand e-waste recycling and its value. As your ITAD partner, we’ll simplify the process to help your business navigate IT asset disposal with confidence. We’ll liaise with you every step of the way, keeping you informed of the progress of your IT assets, and ensure that all equipment is securely managed to protect any sensitive data they contain.
From secure IT asset disposal to certified data destruction and asset management, we provide the tools and expertise to safeguard your organisation in an increasingly complex landscape.