Getting to Zero Landfill: Practical Steps to Eliminate Waste in IT Operations

10 Nov, 2025

Getting to Zero Landfill: Practical Steps to Eliminate Waste in IT Operations

Eliminating waste in IT operations is no longer an option. Global e-waste rose to 62 million tonnes in 2022 and is on track to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, with less than a quarter properly recycled. It is clear that more companies have to strive for zero landfill. But that term doesn’t necessarily mean zero waste in IT operations. It just means no landfilling of recoverable electronics through reuse, refurbishment, or responsible recycling. And in this article, we will provide practical steps to ensure that.

Step 1 — Run an IT Waste Audit Before You Move

You can’t divert what you don’t measure, so start with a site-by-site audit of waste in IT operations that captures the make, model, serial number, weight, and condition for every electronic asset. For assets such as batteries, displays, and other hazardous materials, log them as separate entries in your tracking logs, inventory spreadsheets, or manifests to ensure your company stays safe and compliant with environmental regulations. 

Step 2 — Build Segregation and Collection that Prevents Contamination

It is possible to increase landfill diversion by eliminating waste mixing. So set up the necessary infrastructure, such as labeled bins or cages that separate e-waste, metals, plastics, and general trash at the source. Train your team to secure loose drives, isolate damaged batteries, and send cracked screens to certified recyclers for safe processing. It is also essential to schedule the collection of waste in IT operations on a fixed cadence, as it helps keep rooms clean and makes the audit process more manageable.

Step 3 — Choose a Certified Zero-Landfill Recycler With Proof

Certification is the fastest way to verify responsible electronics recycling, so ask for R2v3 or e-Stewards credentials before partnering with any recycler or sustainability partner. This way, you are certain of precisely what is happening with your IT assets. The EPA recommends using certified electronics recyclers and recognizes R2 and e-Stewards as accredited programs in the U.S. Obtaining the R2v3 certification also requires that the recycler have documented control over downstream vendors for focus materials, which closes a common loophole in export and smelting chains.

Step 4 — Launch Take-Back Programs and Electronics Refurbishment Loops

Global waste-monitoring organizations have warned that recycling is not keeping pace with current waste levels. That makes it clear that the fastest lever for volume reduction is reusability. The recyclability of electronic products can also increase the rate of landfill diversion when you factor it into your waste disposal efforts. To do that, formalize take-back programs with your ITAD provider and OEM partners. Build an internal exchange to redeploy compatible laptops to noncritical roles and send the rest to IT asset disposition for remarketing, parts harvest, or compliant recovery. 

Step 5 — Track Results With Audit-Ready Reporting and Improve

You earn trust when your numbers can be proven, so insist on a real-time dashboard from your sustainability partner that shows counts, weights, destinations, and carbon savings for accurate sustainability reporting. Keep recycling certificates and proof of data destruction attached to each serial number so that ESG reviews can proceed efficiently and you can demonstrate that every single asset in your IT inventory was appropriately handled. Update your sustainability goals and waste diversion metrics quarterly and raise targets only after evidence shows stable performance.

Why This Matters for Risk, Cost, and Brand

UNEP has warned that less than one-quarter of the world’s e-waste is properly recycled, leaving valuable materials such as gold, silver, copper, aluminum, and rare earth metals stranded. As a result, toxins remain unmanaged as volumes continue to rise each year. The business upside is also real, with leading groups promoting circular models as a durable advantage for revenue and supply chain resilience. Your program should reflect all with clear action, clear proof, and precise results.

Close With Clarity: Design the System, Prove the Outcome

Waste in IT operations is a design and operational problem that can be addressed through upstream choices, effective sorting, strong partnerships, and transparent reporting. Waste and pollution can be designed out, meaning they can be eliminated. And Close the Loop can help you ensure zero landfill recycling, verify audit-ready documentation, and keep value moving in a circular economy in IT that wastes nothing and proves everything.